Nomination Guide

This honor 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, as well as being instrumental in motivating others to be involved.

Describe and verify the following: 

• Demonstration and Impact of long-standing direct gift support to the Central Florida community including examples of results that solve organizational and community challenges 
• Historical summary of philanthropic service and achievements 
• Demonstration and motivation given to others to assume leadership roles, setting the example for others to give time, talent and treasures
• Demonstration of dynamic leadership which results in 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 which results in inspiring others to engage in their own legacy of giving
• Demonstration and motivation given to others to assume leadership roles, setting the example for others to give time, talent and treasures

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 honor 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 of Central Florida nonprofits
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the organization(s), through time and effort
• Examples of the nominated youth’s ability to inspire and motivate other young people towards philanthropy and community involvement

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

This honor is awarded to an outstanding individual fundraising professional who has worked in the nonprofit sector and practices their profession in an exemplary manner.

Describe and verify the following:

• Quality of leadership and organizational ability in 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 a corporation or nonprofit organization that is committed to and

empowers their constituents, employees, and/or community by respecting and valuing our

differences with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexual identity, and

orientation, education, and national origin; leveling the playing field by providing access to

resources; and welcoming participation from all.

Narrative should include how nominees:

• Intentionally embrace and include diverse and underserved populations in their work/mission
• Create innovative initiatives, programs, or policies that advance DE&I in the community
• Demonstrate leadership in advocating for DE&I internally and externally

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

Narrative should include how nominees:

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

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 nominees are 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 corporations, corporate foundations, or public foundation that are active in philanthropy in the Central Florida community, as well as being 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

This honor is presented to an individual who demonstrates an exceptional passion for volunteerism benefiting charitable organizations, along with a commitment to the advancement of philanthropy throughout the community. 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 as a skillsbased volunteer 
• Demonstrate excellence and impact working with non-profit organization(s), for more than five years

National Philanthropy Day is an event that publicly recognizes the impact of service and philanthropy within Central Florida. 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 15, 2024 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. Honorees are not eligible to win a repeat award in the same category for five years.

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 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: 1 award recipient per category 
• Special Honorees Award Categories: Up to 3 honorees recognized per category

Nominations must be submitted online no later than May 31, 2024.

Nominations must be submitted through AFP Central Florida Chapter’s nomination form. 

An awards committee of AFP First Coast Chapter members (Jacksonville, FL ) will make the final selection for each award and honoree 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 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 by mid-late August. Letters of regret will also be sent.

Please submit questions to mail@afpcentralflorida.org