Pasadena Star-News
September 11, 2009

Some people give because they're hoping to get something back.

Others donate their time and money to charities in hopes that they'll be perceived as good corporate citizens.

And then there are people like Terry Chapman. For these people, giving is a way of life - a virtual part of their DNA.

And they're not looking for anything in return.

Chapman, founder and retired CEO of Pasadena-based Chapman Insurance, is a leading supporter of nonprofit social service agencies.

His good work has not gone unnoticed. In fact, he just received a lifetime achievement award from the state Legislature for his decades of philanthropic activities.

The honor was bestowed in part because of his contributions to Community Health Centers of California, a consortium of social services clinics for the indigent that has operations in nearly 300 communities.

Chapman, 67 of Pasadena, was a prime mover in establishing the Clinic Mutual Insurance Co.

"We set that up in 1988," he said. "It's a nonprofit company that's owned by all of the Community Health Center policyholders. It ensures the medical malpractice of all the licensed centers. That stabilized their costs. The president of the consortium said they've saved $25 million in premiums since 1988."

Hermann Spetzler, a founder of Clinic Mutual and CEO of Open Door Clinic in Arcata, said Chapman's work is greatly appreciated.

"That represents a level of economy that has had a huge impact on ensuring that a community's most needy will receive the urgent health care they require," he said.

The Legislature's resolution also cited Chapman's involvement in other community activities including the White House Task Force on Paratransit Services, the Consortium for Human Services, San Marino Schools Foundation, Boy Scouts, Little League and Knights of Malta.

Chapman Insurance has also been given The Business Partner of the Year Award by the Association of Community Human Services Agencies of Los Angeles County.

Chapman and his son Greg are founders of the Chapman Charitable Foundation, an offshoot of the insurance agency, which has donated more than $5 million to California nonprofit organizations since 2000.

Chapman Insurance has been based in Pasadena since its founding in 1973 and is now run by Greg Chapman. Over time, the business has become the nation's leading provider of insurance and risk management in the nonprofit and social service community.

"We put a portion of our profits into the foundation," said Terry Chapman, who still works with the insurance firm, although on a more limited basis. "We've averaged about $750,000 a year, and some years have been larger."

This year, with the nation still struggling to emerge from a recession, Chapman figures that number will be closer to $150,000.

"In harder economic times, we've had to cut it back," he said.

Chapman also mentors an at-risk youth through Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, a Highland Park agency that provides comprehensive treatment, specialized education and support services to abused, neglected and at-risk youngsters and their families.

"This young man is on probation from the courts," Chapman said. "He's trying to get out of gang life and doesn't want to go back to it. I just got him a job at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena."

Silvio John Orlando, the Highland Park agency's executive director, is impressed by Chapman's dedication to both his organization and others.

"He's so unassuming about what he does, and he has a foundation that just gives a fortune away to nonprofits," Orlando said. "He walks the walk."

Chapman said he was honored to receive his lifetime achievement award

"I was very surprised ... I felt ecstatic," he said. "I really like helping people, that's the bottom line. I'm just trying to make a difference."

By Kevin Smith