2026 NPD Nominations


2026 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY NOMINATIONS OPEN


Applications Opened: Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Deadline: Thursday, April 30th, 2026

Please read the criteria and click on the appropriate link to make a nomination for that category.  Nominations will not be received until you click submit on the nomination form.  Additional Letters of support for nominations should be emailed to leahahillyer@gmail.com before the deadline, with the award category in the subject line.

Questions about award nominations can be sent to leahahillyer@gmail.com

National Philanthropy Day offers the opportunity to meet generous philanthropists from our community and to recognize how they improve the quality of life we experience in our state.

Awardees will be announced in June 2026

 OUTSTANDING CORPORATION

To qualify for this award, a corporation or its corporate foundation must demonstrate outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement. Nomination should list the nominee’s achievements, including:

  • Evidence of direct gift support indicated by support of projects in the community, nationally and/or internationally
  • Description of impact of gift support on projects
  • Description of specific achievements accomplished through the corporation’s efforts
  • Evidence of encouragement and motivation given others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260785024273053 

OUTSTANDING FOUNDATION

To qualify for this award, a foundation must demonstrate outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and national, international and/or community involvement. Nomination should list the nominee’s achievements, including:

  • Evidence of direct financial support indicated by support of projects in the community, nationally and/or internationally
  • Description of impact of financial support on projects
  • Description of specific achievements accomplished through the foundation’s efforts

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260786409205157 

 

OUTSTANDING YOUNG VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

Presented to a group of young people ages 5-23 who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy.

  • Activities including goals, process, budget (if relevant) and other people involved in the process (adult leaders or adviser, etc.), and of the time, talent and/or treasure the youth gave for the common good and the results that were achieved. 
  • Impact on the community, including numbers of people involved, financial organizations who benefited from projects.
  • Long term (1-2 years) impact of projects (i.e. - will the project(s) be ongoing, next steps or involvement in other projects).
  • Evidence that the project(s) can serve as a prototype for others or is easily replicated in other communities.

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260786237212053 

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER

The individual eligible for this nomination must have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in coordinating groups of volunteers for major fundraising projects for more than one nonprofit organization. The recipient should demonstrate exceptional skills coordinating and motivating groups of volunteers for fundraising projects for the benefit of charitable institutions and a commitment to the advancement of philanthropy. Nominations should list the nominee’s specific achievements for the past year or several years, such as:

  • Evidence of quality of leadership and organizational ability in fundraising campaigns
  • Description of time, effort and financial commitment in local, national and/or international nonprofit organizations
  • Description of fundraising goals achieved by his/her effort

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260786449296070 

 

OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIST

This award is presented to an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support, has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility, and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles on a community, national and/or international level. Nominations should include the following information with specific examples:

  • Evidence of direct gift support
  • Description of impact of gift support
  • Evidence of encouragement and motivation given to others to take leadership roles in philanthropy

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260786579436070 

OUTSTANDING FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONAL

This award is designed for an outstanding individual fundraising executive who practices his/her profession in an exemplary manner. Recipient must have at least five years of professional fundraising experience. Nomination should include the following:

  • Description of career achievements, i.e. length and tenure of fundraising background, experience and results
  • Evidence of individual’s leadership that is effective, creative and stimulating
  • Description of individual’s commitment to continuing professional development and to the fundraising profession and philanthropy through voluntary service and financial support of nonprofit organizations

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260788224547062 

OUTSTANDING YOUNG VOLUNTEER

The Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award recognizes service by an individual or group of young people, ages 5–17, who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through the development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. Nominees must be 5–17 years old at the time they are nominated. Nomination should include nominee’s achievements, including:

  • Description of specific achievements
  • Volunteerism

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260788172472061 

OUTSTANDING YOUNG FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONAL

Presented to an outstanding young fundraising professional ages 18-40 who works directly for a non-profit, charitable organization, or has worked for a non-profit for at least 2 years with the majority of their time being spent on fundraising. 

  • Career achievements and innovation and creative to community needs
  • Quality of leadership (i.e. - effective, creative, stimulating) and involvement as a team player.
  • Active participation in AFP (i.e. attendance at local AFP events, monthly meetings, board member, etc.) and practice to promote the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice for fundraising professionals.
  • Commitment to fundraising and philanthropy through voluntary service and financial support of non-profit organizations.
  • Recipient must have at least 2 years of professional experience.

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260788772903066 

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

Presented to an organization, or group of volunteers, that have demonstrated exceptional commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement.

  • Direct financial contribution/support to the community. 
  • Support of projects or programs beyond the community, if applicable and impact of financial contribution on projects in the community and specific achievements (such as new programs launched through its efforts). 
  • Evidence of impact of volunteer hours worked.

 

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/260787973506067