News

Contact: PRESS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Hugh Minor

401-524-2330

Association of Fundraising Professionals Recognizes Greenwood Credit Union and Others at National Philanthropy Day Celebration

Annual event honors individuals and organizations that are changing RI with a giving heart.

PROVIDENCE, RI. For the first time in two years, the Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals met in person to celebrate and honor individuals and groups who enhance giving in their communities. Due to Covid, the presentation had been virtual in 2020 and 2021.

Awards were presented to Outstanding Business, Outstanding Citizen, the Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship and thirty-five Partners in Philanthropy.

“Rhode Island’s philanthropic community has a lot to be proud of,” said AFP-RI Board Chair Edward McPherson, CFRE. “National Philanthropy Day reminds us that when we come together around a common cause, anything is possible.”

This year’s Outstanding Philanthropic Business award was presented to Greenwood Credit Union, nominated by The Gamm Theatre. Recognized for partnering with 72 different organizations in 2021 alone, GCU engages employees and customers in giving back to their community, benefiting organizations that include Thrive Behavioral Health, Warwick Animal Shelter, Westbay Community Action, Young Voices and local food pantries.

Greenwood’s philanthropy goes well beyond simply donating funds with their employees volunteering and serving in leadership roles in numerous organizations. For example, Greenwood’s President & CEO, Fred Reinhardt, recently completed his service on The Gamm’s Board of Directors as Treasurer and Finance Chair and continues as a member of the Board of Directors. He also serves as Chair of the Board at Thrive Behavioral Health.

Outstanding Philanthropic Citizens Award

The Outstanding Philanthropic Citizens Award was presented to Jyothi and Shivan Subramaniam who have committed their time, talent and treasure toward building opportunities for Rhode Islanders through a variety of nonprofit organizations. The Subramaniams were nominated by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

A retired FM Global executive, Shivan remains an active member of the Board of Directors of Lifespan, Johnson & Wales University, and the RI Public Expenditure Council and previously served on the Board of Bryant University. Similarly, Jyothi serves on the Food Bank’s Board of Directors as the Vice President and will become Board President in 2023. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Southside Community Land Trust.

As she explained, “We love giving back and seeing the impact it makes. When you give and get involved, you see how this support is so important to the organizations in achieving their missions.” The Subramaniams provide to many other organizations across Rhode Island.

Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship

Recognizing the next generation of philanthropists is an important part of the Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day Celebration. This year, Highland Charter School’s Kanyinsola “K” Yekini was awarded the Herbert E. Kaplan Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship.

Inspired by experience with the Nonviolence Institute, K has made a difference by taking the ideas of nonviolent conflict resolution to students and staff members at the school and in her community. She also created workshops for Highlander’s middle school students and is building a peer mentoring program at the school.

In addition to the evening’s statewide awards, thirty-five neighbors and friends were honored as Partners in Philanthropy for their volunteerism and charitable giving to a wide range of organizations from Adoption Rhode Island to the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council.

Sponsors of National Philanthropy Day included the Rhode Island Foundation, Amica Companies, and FM Global. Providence Business News was the Media Sponsor.

About the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Rhode Island Chapter (AFP-RI)
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Rhode Island Chapter (AFP-RI) is dedicated to improving the skills of fundraising professionals, increasing the participation of members and non-members alike in chapter activities and expanding our professional and career opportunities to embrace the diversity of our communities. For more information, visit afpri.org.

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Amy E. Gravell, President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2021

Association of Fundraising Professionals, Rhode Island Chapter

401-723-4266 ext. 161

amy@gammtheatre.org

AFP-RI, Rhode Island Fundraising Community Mourn Loss of Simone Joyaux

Cranston, RI - The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Rhode Island Chapter (AFP-RI) mourns the unexpected loss of founder and renowned fundraising professional, Simone Joyaux.

Remembered by members of the AFP-RI community as someone who dedicated herself to the practice of ethical and effective fundraising for more than 40 years, Joyaux educated and mentored other fundraising professionals and elevating the fundraising profession through her scholarship and leadership on an international level.

Joyaux was recognized globally as a leader in the fields of fund development and nonprofit management. She earned the International Advanced Diploma in Fundraising (Adv Dip) and the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE). Simone served as an adjunct faculty member in the master’s program in Philanthropy and Development at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and she developed and presented training programs, workshops, plenary, and keynote addresses worldwide. In addition to authoring three books, Joyaux was a popular columnist and blogger. For more than 30 years, she built a highly successful consulting business, Joyaux Associates, helping nonprofits in various countries enhance their capacity and capability to make change. In recognition of her work, Joyaux received the AFP International’s 2019 Distinguished Fellow Award, one of the highest fundraising honors, awarded to only a very select few of the profession’s foremost leaders.

“For Simone, philanthropy was more than just a career – it was her life’s work,” said Amy Gravell, president of the AFP-RI Board of Directors. “She gave generously of her time, talent and treasure. She was a true force for good and light in the nonprofit sector.”

The Rhode Island community was the beneficiary of Joyaux’s talent and generosity. Joyaux served as the Chief Development Officer at Trinity Repertory Theatre from 1981-1988 and she was a past Chair of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. As a consultant, she advised countless Rhode Island nonprofits. As a volunteer, Simone founded the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and the first version of a statewide arts advocacy organization. She was also a founder of the AFP Rhode Island Chapter and continued to be one of our most generous and passionate supporters.

“Simone was everything that our state and profession needed – bold and unapologetic leadership but also, caring and active kindness,” said Edward McPherson, president-elect of the AFP-RI Board of Directors. “The earth seemed to shift on its axis when news of Simone’s passing spread. Each of us has a story about Simone and the impact she had on our careers and lives. She was truly one of a kind, and a mentor and friend to so many.”