When Dick Rosenthal takes his morning walks, he has a favorite one-liner for anyone who passes by too quickly: “Whoa, whoa, whoa — there’s a speed limit here,” he jokes.
He’s not actually keeping track of anyone’s pace. He just knows with a few friendly words, he’s likely to spark a smile, and maybe make someone’s day a bit brighter.
That small gesture says a lot about how Dick and his daughter Jennie see the world, and how they’ve lived their lives. It’s a spirit of connection and community that’s shaped their family’s lasting relationship with United Way of Greater Cincinnati. For decades, they’ve stood among United Way’s most steadfast partners.
In addition to being a dedicated activist, Jennie serves as co-director of the family foundation her late mother, Lois, helped establish in 1986. Jennie called United Way a partner with whom she’s always comfortable placing her trust for strategic and impactful giving. “They’re going out and seeing who’s best in class,” she said.
That trust reflects a shared approach to creating change: focusing on measurable results, innovative partnerships and long-term impact. As Jennie explained, “We try to serve those who have no voice or small voices — and amplify them so they can receive the things that they need.”
In honor of their generosity, Dick and his daughter Jennie Rosenthal are 2026 recipients of the Tocqueville Award.
The Rosenthals’ investments in United Way have strengthened programs that connect individuals to food and other essential resources, expand pathways to financial well-being and keep families in stable housing — pillars of United Way’s work. Dick also generously committed a $1 million legacy gift, creating lasting impact for future generations.
Philanthropy, for the Rosenthals, has always been about collaboration. “We want what we do to make a difference,” Dick said. “We want to see the needle move.” A theater, a museum and an educational center are among the local establishments that bear their name. Yet, Dick described their impact with characteristic humility: “We think we’ve nudged some things along.”
Their legacy traces back to a family printing company founded in 1868, followed by a publishing business in 1913. F&W Publications’ greatest period of success and expansion came under Dick’s leadership in the 1970s. Today, that same ambition fuels the Rosenthal Family Foundation’s investments in causes that advance equity, access and hope across Greater Cincinnati.
Their partnership with United Way remains central to that broader vision. Dick and Jennie emphasized the organization’s work eliminating barriers and promoting opportunity.
“They have the breadth of knowledge and leadership to make smart, long-term decisions about where help is needed most,” Dick said. “It’s a way for all of us to move forward together.”
That philosophy — rooted in listening, learning and leading with empathy — runs through generations of Rosenthal family giving. Dick grew up in a home where volunteering was simply “how you behaved, how you lived.”
Jennie remembers making crafts as a child to raise money for a cause her family supported. A simple thank-you letter she received afterward made a lasting impression. She said the experience taught her “you can make a difference by doing whatever it is that you can do,” and it’s a principle still guiding her today.
The tradition of giving continues with Jennie’s adult children, Liz and Andrew, who now help the foundation identify organizations to support and mentor young people in under-resourced communities. Looking ahead, Dick hopes their family’s example inspires others to collectively invest in the community in ways that feel authentic to them.
“I’d love to see a new generation of young philanthropists catch that fire — the satisfaction that comes from helping people,” he said.
Jennie shares his optimism about the city they both love. “It feels like there are young people who are here who are innovating … just making it a diverse, interesting place to live. And I want that to continue.”
