David Allman

In 2009, David Allman wasn't one to let a little thing like a worldwide economic downturn get in the way of his support for Opportunity International. David, a prominent real estate developer in Atlanta, is Chair of Opportunity International, Nicaragua. He and his wife Donna are also highly involved in the Ambassadors Council. Like many others, he felt the pinch when the financial markets fell and cash became a precious commodity. "My passion for what Opportunity is doing in Nicaragua hadn't changed a bit," David explains, "but the changing economy forced me to look beyond my traditional resources for charitable giving."

He is part of an emerging trend of charitable donors who donate illiquid assets instead of appreciated securities, which have been in short supply. illiquid assets can include underutilized vacation property, valuable cars or boats, jewelry, artwork or collectibles, life insurance policies, business interest and other valuable assets. They can be donated, deducted by the donor for tax purposes, and sold by Opportunity for immediate impact in the developing world. For David, the illiquid asset was a beautiful piece of investment real estate at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia. Opportunity will sell the property and then utilize the cash proceeds to help many more entrepreneurs in Nicaragua.

At the 2014 Summit event, Opportunity International was proud to present David and Donna with the Alfred Whittaker Founder's Award in honor of their steadfast advocacy and commitment to the organization over the years.