2020 NPD Celebration

2020 National Philanthropy
Day Awards
National Philanthropy Day is November 15th and celebrates the charitable work that EVERYONE does to make a difference and create impact in their communities. As one of the largest chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in the country, the AFP Fort Worth Metro Chapter annually celebrates the inspiring charitable work being done right here in the greater Fort Worth area.
ANNOUNCING...
our 2020 National Philanthropy Day Award honorees
Opal Lee
Outstanding Philanthropist
A career FWISD educator and community activist, Lee has made a significant impact on the greater Fort Worth community. Lee is founding member of the Black Historical & Genealogical Society and member of several community organizations - Historic & Cultural Landmarks Commission, AIDS Outreach committee, Evans Avenue Business Association, Good Samaritans, United Riverside Neighborhood Advisory Council, Habitat for Humanity, and Ethel Ransom Cultural Club. Lee helped resurrect the Community Food Bank after an arson fire and under her leadership acquired the current location, and is the Visionary behind the Opal’s Farm urban farming project to address food insecurity and to provide employment to previously incarcerated individuals seeking to better themselves with gainful employment. Lee is a board member of Unity Unlimited, Inc. and the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and has worked to ensure Fort Worth celebrates Juneteenth for almost 45 years. She has worked to have Juneteenth declared a national holiday for almost 20 years. At age 90, she started her Opals Walk 2 DC walking campaign to bring awareness to the need for holiday legislation and at 93 launched her online petition drive to continue awareness garnering 1.5 million signatures. Opal Lee is a Fort Worth legend!  
National Charity League
Fort Worth Chapter
Outstanding Philanthropic Entity
National Charity League is a 95-year-old organization of mothers and daughters with 282 chartered chapters in 29 states. The Fort Worth Chapter started in 2012 and currently has 360 total members. The mothers and daughters in grades 7-12 have volunteered over 6,952 hours just since January 1. NCL partners with 20 area philanthropies where members donate their time to work at these worthwhile charities. When COVID-19 hit Fort Worth, it did not stop these women’s commitment to continue helping those in need. NCL sewed and delivered masks, made lunches for the homeless shelters, wrote letters of gratitude to first responders, and even read books on video for the children at Presbyterian Night Shelter, called Page Turners. The National Charity League Fort Worth Chapter continues to have a heart for service, no matter the challenges.
Sprouts Committee
Outstanding Youth In Philanthropy
The Sprouts Committee is comprised of local young adults who have aged-out of the foster care system or who are experiencing homelessness. Members of the Sprouts Committee have dedicated over 200 volunteer hours to ACH Child and Family Services’ community garden. While growing flowers and vegetables for the community, these young adults have learned about the importance of carefully nurturing new endeavors and giving back to their community.
Douglas A. White
Outstanding Professional Fundraising Executive
- Ben Franklin Award -
Doug White has served five outstanding academic and healthcare institutions during a 30+ year philanthropy career. A native of Springfield, Missouri and graduate of the University of Tulsa, Doug’s philanthropy career began in 1989 at UCLA’s John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management. Next came a move to Texas to join TCU from 1993 to 1997. From there, Doug was recruited to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he served as Associate Dean for External Affairs at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Public Health. The road then led back to Texas, where Doug joined the Texas Health Harris Methodist Foundation for a 14-year tenure, followed by service to the UNT Health Science Center and the UNTHSC Health Foundation. Beginning in January, Doug will serve as the Senior Director of Leadership Giving for the TCU and the UNTHSC School of Medicine. In addition to his professional responsibilities, White has served the community as a board member and past president of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth, board member and chair of the Carter BloodCare Foundation, and board member of the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation and Camp Fire First Texas.
Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy
Emerging leaders are talented high-achievers in philanthropic practice already making a difference on behalf of charitable causes in the greater Fort Worth metro area.