Nomination Guide

This award is presented to an individual or couple who demonstrates a history of exceptional leadership in philanthropy. The recipient is personally active in philanthropy in the Central Florida community, and is instrumental in motivating others to be involved. 

Describe and verify the following: 

• Impact of long-standing direct gift support to the Central Florida community including examples of how they’ve solved organizational and community challenges 
• Historical summary of philanthropic service and achievements 
• How they motivate others to assume leadership roles and/or set an example for others to give of their time, talent and treasure
• Demonstration of dynamic leadership inspiring others to engage in their own legacy of giving 

In memory of H. Clifford Lee, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation will give $10,000 to the charity of the recipient’s choice. 

This award recognizes an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity and demonstrated outstanding civic responsibility during the past three (3) years.* They encourage others to assume philanthropic leadership roles in the community. 

Describe and verify the following: 

• Impact the candidate has achieved by contributing financial resources, time, and effort engaged with organizations (i.e. service on boards, committees, strategic planning, innovation, personal giving) to drive social change 
• Demonstration of dynamic leadership inspiring others to engage in their own legacy of giving 
• How they motivate others to assume leadership roles and/or set an example for others to give of their time, talent and treasure

In memory of Kenneth F. Murrah, the Central Florida Foundation will give $1,000 to the charity of the recipient’s choice. 

*NOTE: If you believe your candidate has made significant contributions to local philanthropy well beyond the previous 3-year period, please nominate them for the H. Clifford Lee Lifetime Achievement Award category. 

This award is presented to an individual 18 years old or younger who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the quality of life in Central Florida. 

Please describe the nominee’s achievements during the last 3 years, including the following: 

• Impact of support generated for one or more Central Florida nonprofits
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the organization(s), through time, effort, and funds raised 
• Examples of the nominated youth’s ability to inspire and motivate other young people to be philanthropic and engaged in their community 

In memory of David R. Roberts, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation will give $2,000 to the charity of the recipient’s choice.

This award is presented to an outstanding individual fundraising professional who has worked in the nonprofit sector and practices his/her profession in an exemplary manner. 

Describe and verify the following:

• Quality of leadership and organizational ability in nonprofit fundraising campaigns 
• Impact of goals achieved through fundraising efforts 
• Summary of service and contributions to other local, state, national and/or international nonprofit organizations, including AFP where applicable.

This honor is presented to individuals who demonstrate an exceptional passion for volunteerism benefiting charitable organizations, along with a commitment to the advancement of philanthropy throughout the community, for more than five years. 

Narrative should include how nominees: 

• Encourage and motivate others to give of their time to benefit the community
• Dedicate volunteer time as a board member, volunteer fundraiser, and/or a skills based volunteer 
• Demonstrate excellence and impact working with nonprofit organization(s) 

Note: This honor is specifically for individuals. If you’re interested in nominating a civic group or organization, please consider nominating them for the “Innovation and Excellence in Fundraising” honor category.

This honor is presented to individuals working or volunteering in the nonprofit sector in a fundraising/development role for less than five years, who are making an exceptional impact within their organization and/or the sector at large. 

Narrative should include:

• Detailed description of how nominee is affecting change in the Central Florida community 
• Brief history of nominee 
• Other notable details about the nominee (i.e., boards served on or other honors received)

This honor is presented to a corporation or nonprofit organization that empowers its constituents, employees, and/or community by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexual identity and orientation, education, and national origin. 

Narrative should include: 

• Detailed description of how nominee is affecting change in the Central Florida community 
• Brief history of nominee 
• Other notable details about the nominee (i.e., boards served on or other honors received) 

This honor is presented to a for-profit, nonprofit, or civic groups/organization that has excelled in their craft raising critically needed funds for the missions and organizations they work for and/or consult. 

Narrative should include how nominee: 

• Successfully launched a fundraising initiative or campaign that generated significant funding for an organization 
• Leveraged innovative approaches and strategies 
• Provided a significant leadership role 

This honor is presented to a corporation, corporate foundation, or public foundation that is active in philanthropy in the Central Florida community, and is instrumental in encouraging others to be involved. 

Narrative should include: 

• Impact of direct gift support (corporate or foundation contributions) to the Central Florida community 
• Achievements accomplished through the company’s internal philanthropic efforts (employee contributions and volunteer service) 
• Encouragement and motivation given to others, especially company employees, to assume leadership roles, setting the example for philanthropy and increasing community involvement 
• Summary of philanthropic support that has resulted in solving organizational and community challenges 

This honor is presented to nonprofit organizations that successfully strengthen and empower a specific demographic or population in Central Florida (e.g., seniors, children, pets, homeless, immigrant, minority, etc.) 

Narrative should include how nominees: 

• Advocate for their target service population 
• Provide resources to or connect constituents to resources 
• Demonstrate successful outcomes that further their nonprofit mission

Established in 1986 by President Reagan, National Philanthropy Day is an event that publicly recognizes the impact of service and philanthropy nationwide. Each year, the Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) honors donors, volunteers, professionals, and organizations whose gifts of time, expertise, and resources contribute significantly to the quality of life in our communities.

The event will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Rosen Shingle Creek.

All Central Florida nonprofits, corporations, foundations, and civic and service organizations are encouraged to nominate their donors, community partners, board members, staff members, and other volunteers for an award appropriate to their role. Award Recipients and Honorees are not eligible to win a repeat award in the same category within five years. Nominees must be located in the 4-county Central Florida area: Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Osceola.

An individual, a public or private organization, a civic or service group, or an AFP member may submit a nomination for any award. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to partner on Distinguished Award nominations, and in such cases, a single nomination form is acceptable. Include a cover letter summarizing the collaboration with the submitted nomination. 

The following awards and honors are given to individuals or organizations whose achievements have significantly impacted the Central Florida community: 

Distinguished Award Categories: One (1) award recipient per category 

Special Honor Categories: Three (3) honorees per category 

The physical awards are commissioned from a different local artist each year.

Nominations must be submitted online no later than May 30, 2025. 

Nominations must be submitted through AFP Central Florida Chapter’s website: 

https://www.afpcentralflorida.org/nomination-guide

An awards committee of AFP First Coast Chapter members (Jacksonville, FL) will score each application to identify the award and honoree recipients in each category. Please keep in mind that the selection committee does not know these nominees. Their decisions are based entirely on the materials you submit, so refer to the award criteria to guide the narrative for your nomination. If in the judgment of the Central Florida National Philanthropy Day Committee, no nominee meets the criteria for a particular category, no award will be given for that category. 

Award recipients and honorees, and their nominator(s), will be notified on or before August 4, 2025. Regret notices will also be sent. 

Please submit questions to mail@afpcentralflorida.org. Please allow 48-72 business hours for a response as the National Philanthropy Day committee is comprised of volunteers.