National Philanthropy Day®
November 24, 2020
Since 1992, members and the Board of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) have publicly recognized local philanthropic leaders and celebrated their impact in our community through National Philanthropy Day® (NPD).
This day of recognition of personal and corporate impact is the highlight of our chapter’s witness to the broader community. It celebrates the unique partnership of donor and fundraiser. The National Philanthropy Day® celebration has become the highly anticipated ‘event to attend’ in Columbus during November, the traditional month of giving thanks, and is one of the largest in the nation.
This year, as in years past, we look forward to having the distinct honor of paying tribute to those who change our community—and our world—through their philanthropy.
A special note about the Leave a Legacy award: This award is selected by the Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio and is presented at the National Philanthropy Day® celebration. The annual nominations process is conducted by CGPCO who can be contacted for details.
…Sponsorship Opportunities are now available
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For complete event details visit the Central Ohio AFP National Philanthropy Day website
2020 Press Release
Association of Fundraising Professionals Announces 2020 National Philanthropy Day® Honorees
National Philanthropy Day® (NPD) is a special day in November set aside each year to promote philanthropy and recognize individuals, foundations and corporations that are inspiring change through their significant impact on nonprofit organizations. Historically, Central Ohio’s sold-out NPD Luncheon is AFP’s an annual, signature event where people representing corporations, nonprofits, philanthropists, volunteers, and the AFP membership come together to celebrate our vibrant philanthropic community of Central Ohio.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is we must learn to pivot and adapt amid ever-changing circumstances. Our 2020 NPD Celebration will highlight outstanding acts of kindness and philanthropy and be transformed into a virtual series of month long events and celebrations.
AFP received 30 nominations of individuals, foundations and corporations who have made a truly exceptional impact in our community. This year we will honor nine awards as a part of 2020’s NPD’s virtual event and celebrate the honorees key roles in meeting our community’s needs.
The 2020 NPD celebration will also feature a unique way to recognize the NPD honorees and others who are making a difference in our nonprofit community every day. For the first time, we will offer a way to give tribute to those front line workers, volunteers, and others through our NPD Tribute Page. Our month-long virtual celebration will culminate on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, where attendees will be able to tune in live to watch NBC4’s Matt Barnes and community leaders talk about the important role philanthropy plays in our community.
“The year has been challenging for everyone and right now, especially as a social profession, even if virtually many fundraisers could use something interactive to celebrate our community, donors, volunteers, and fellow AFP members,” said Jeff Redfield President, AFP Central Ohio. “Let us not forget the tremendous amounts of good things happening in our community before and during this pandemic. Some extraordinary giving continues making a meaningful impact when needed most. There is no time like the present to celebrate.”
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Ernie Sullivan
Ernie has intentionally aligned himself to a handful of successful nonprofits to ensure those marginalized in our community are not forgotten. He has served on the Boards of Directions for Youth & Families, St. Vincent Family Center, St. Stephen’s Community House, Women2Women Business Networking, and A Kid Again. His leadership in nonprofits in Central Ohio fundraising campaigns has resulted in millions of dollars raised for many organizations.The Columbus Foundation Outstanding Philanthropist: Ann and Tom DiMarco
The DiMarco family has demonstrated exemplary community support for over 20 years. They aim to eradicate barriers and provide resources that promote unity in families and the community at-large. Because of them, over 10,000 more families have access to recreational therapy through A Kid Again; access to behavioral health resources at Nationwide Children’s, and to public learning platforms offered by WOSU and other entities.Outstanding Foundation: The Catholic Foundation
The Catholic Foundation inspires giving and assists donors to provide for the long-term needs of the parishes, schools and ministries within the 23-county Diocese of Columbus. The Foundation and a generous donor provided a bridge loan of $8 million to support expansion of the Damascus Catholic Mission Campus. In addition, with the help of other supporters, they gave four-year grants totaling $1.4M to eighteen parishes in the Diocese.Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group: The Friends of Schiller Park
Schiller Park is in the German Village Historic District, but The Fiends of Schiller Park have worked to ensure that the entire south side neighborhood served by the park is engaged in their organization. They have created a successful record of recruiting and maintaining connections to volunteers, leaders, donors, and life-long Friends. Because of their hard work, their community can proudly share that they have contributed well over a million dollars to support their park.Outstanding Small Business: The Champion Companies
The Champion Companies is a 10-year-old investment and management firm that has exceeded average philanthropic endeavors in every area. They have established more than 1,000 of annual volunteer hours, spearheaded a comprehensive campaign for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, empowered residents and employees to consistently give generously, all while maintaining the #1 best place to work in Central Ohio.Big Lot’s Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Emily Spector
Emily Spector launched her Read to Succeed Foundation seven years ago, stemming from their goals of increasing book ownership for underprivileged children and families in Columbus and beyond. She aims to break the cycle of generational poverty by promoting literacy and providing books to underprivileged children. To date, she has delivered over 83,000 children’s books to 91 organizations.Outstanding Large Corporation: Battelle
Battelle gives up to $11 million annually through its nonprofit charitable trust to philanthropic organizations, like Columbus Museum of Art and Community Shelter Board. Their giving reflects their institutional priorities and leadership values to solve the world’s most pressing challenges through research and innovation. Their philanthropy knows no bounds for projects that they deem innovative.Outstanding Fundraising Professional: William F. Bartolini, PhD., ACFRE
William F. Bartolini retired last year after 39 years of service. He has been active in service to the profession by serving on the boards of AFP Global and the AFP Foundation. He is an Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive and is best-known as a mentor and AFP Master Teacher who goes around the world — to provide workshops and training on fundraising best practices for others. Not only has he been on teams that raised hundreds of millions of dollars for education and social services, he has also inspired others to develop even more philanthropic support.Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio Leave a Legacy: Gifford Weary, PhD.
Gifford Weary, PhD. is a well-published psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at OSU, and a grateful recipient of OhioHealth’s excellent neuroscience care. She recently established an estate gift to benefit OhioHealth’s neuroscience care. A truly transformational gift that elevates her into The Legend Society, the highest giving society of the OhioHealth Foundation. To learn more about this year’s virtual NPD celebration, please go to https://www.npdcbus.org/For event sponsorship information, please contact our NPD Sponsorship Chair Dawn Robinson at 614-321-8220 or email giving@npdcbus.org.
Contacts:…..
Suzie Childs, NPD Chair, s3childs@gmail.com
….. Jeff Redfield, AFP Central Ohio President, president@centralohioafp.org
2019 Honorees and Honoree Videos
| Category | Honoree | Link to Honoree Video |
| The Columbus Foundation Outstanding Philanthropists | Phil and Barb Derrow | https://youtu.be/SHzHWgpbVj4 |
| Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser | Andrew Levitt | https://youtu.be/tp544G0Pj3o |
| Outstanding Foundation | Ariel Foundation | https://youtu.be/UrDrYfQhLNg |
| Big Lots! Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy | Bexley Sleep Out Club | https://youtu.be/9-RZAS8CBx0 |
| Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group | Franklin Park Conservatory Women’s Board | https://youtu.be/pC6wJYNYa74 |
| Outstanding Small Corporation | Next Level Trainings | https://youtu.be/DCukc1n85Jo |
| Outstanding Large Corporation | American Electric Power (AEP) | https://youtu.be/jgXuFyOapI8 |
| Leave a Legacy Award Selected and presented by Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio | Joe Chlapaty | https://youtu.be/KQwxbedl7Xw |
| Outstanding Fundraising Professional | Donna Zuiderweg | https://youtu.be/rwC3Yqg4dxM |
| Outstanding Philanthropist | |
| Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group | |
| Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser | |
| Outstanding Foundation | |
| Outstanding Large Corporation | |
| Outstanding Small Corporation | |
| Judges Award | |
| Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy | |
| Outstanding Professional Fundraiser | |
| Leave A Legacy Award Presented by the Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Central Ohio Chapter |
