About NPD

Registration is OPEN!!

2025 National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony and Luncheon
Friday, November 7, 2025

Featuring the 2025 National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony:

Philanthropist of the Year, Organization

First Heritage Federal Credit Union

Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year 

Gorges Givers

Outstanding Professional Achievement in Nonprofit Leadership

Liz Smith

Community Change Agent of the Year, Individual

Dawn M. Shipman

Community Change Agent of the Year, Organization

Love Living at Home

Celebrating the generosity that lives in our communities!

About the AFP Finger Lakes Chapter’s NPD Awards

Each year, the AFP Finger Lakes Chapter hosts an awards celebration and luncheon on National Philanthropy Day. The Chapter, along with our community and nominators, recognizes individuals and businesses who have made an impact in the nonprofit sector.

What is National Philanthropy Day?

National Philanthropy Day® is both an official day and a grassroots movement. Every year, since 1986 when President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed November 15th as National Philanthropy Day®, communities across the globe have celebrated by hosting events to recognize activities of donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations, and others engaged in philanthropy.

NPD is a celebration of philanthropy—giving, volunteering and charitable engagement—that highlights the accomplishments, large and small, that philanthropy—and all those involved in the philanthropic process—makes to our society and our world. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is founder of the NPD movement and chief supporter and sponsor. Learn more at afpglobal.org.

Award Categories:

Philanthropist of the Year, Individual 
Honors an individual or family that has demonstrated exemplary financial support of the nonprofit sector.

Philanthropist of the Year, Organization  
Honors an area business that has demonstrated exemplary financial and/or in-kind support and volunteer leadership in the nonprofit sector.

Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year
Honors an individual or family that has demonstrated exemplary volunteer leadership in the nonprofit sector.

Outstanding Professional Achievement in Nonprofit Leadership
Honors an individual who has demonstrated exemplary commitment,
professionalism and leadership throughout the course of their nonprofit career.

Community Change Agent of the Year
Honors an individual who personifies philanthropy in action through gifts of time, sweat, and friendship to one or multiple organizations that contributes to a better, more equitable community.