The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps to fund new construction, building renovation, and the purchase of major medical equipment for other nonprofit organizations in Texas and surrounding states.
The foundation was founded in 1948 by John E. and Lottie E. Mabee, Missouri natives who lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and who had a large ranch in Midland, Texas. J.E. Mabee was a hard worker, innovative entrepreneur, and shrewd investor who found his fortune in the oil and gas business. Named “Oklahoma’s Mr. Philanthropy,” Mabee was incredibly generous in giving back to the communities that were important to his success: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. The Mabees created the foundation in 1948 and left the bulk of their estates to the foundation upon their deaths in the 1960s.
2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the Mabee Foundation – a significant milestone. Over the years, the foundation has provided grants to other nonprofit organizations, totaling over $1.5 billion to date.
To commemorate this important year, the foundation decided to capture the story of the its creation, but also to capture the fascinating early lives of John and Lottie – a story that has never been written down on paper. After scouring hundreds of articles, photos, and Mabee family member interviews, a robust coffee table book was written and designed.
The book begins with John’s parents and his birth, his early life, and goes on to cover his and Lottie’s death-defying early days together. The details spotlight how their lives were just as intertwined with charitable giving as their success in business. The book ends with an infographic that showcases their generosity and statements from over 50 grant recipients.
The story is peppered with quotes from John plus old-time images and newspaper articles. Custom line illustrations are found throughout the book, each one representing and connecting moments relevant to John and Lottie’s story. All illustrations and other key design elements were printed in a metallic gold ink for added emphasis on each page.
A logo was also created to commemorate the anniversary year and can be found in the book. The logo touts a “75” that was designed to also look like a shovel – a subtle nod to the many groundbreaking ceremonies the Mabees participated in over the years and that the foundation still takes part in today.
Hundreds of copies of the coffee table book were produced, with recipients being employees and board members of the foundation, grantees, and other nonprofit organizations. The intricate process, from interviews and secondary research to design and print production, took a little over 10 months.
If your brand is coming up on a big anniversary or other important milestone, a customized coffee table book is the perfect way to capture your unique story and commemorate the occasion, providing a high-end touch point to share with both internal and external stakeholders.
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