Nomination Resources

We hope that these resources will help you prepare the best nomination for the National Philanthropy Day Awards!

Please enjoy the following recording of April 2025 webinar hosted by experienced National Philanthropy Day nominators Katie Cassidy, Vice President of National Philanthropy Day and Director of Philanthropy for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and Ashley Samuels, CFRE of AHS Nonprofit Consulting LLC, to discuss the nomination process and review what makes a strong nomination.

Click to Download Samples of Previous Successful Nominations

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is National Philanthropy Day?

    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.

  • When is National Philanthropy Day?

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

  • Who is eligible for a National Philanthropy Day award?

    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.

  • Who can submit a nomination for a National Philanthropy Day award?

    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. 

  • What types of awards are given?

    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.

  • When are nominations due?

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

  • How do I submit a nomination?

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

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

  • Who selects the award winners?

    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. 

  • When will award winners be notified?

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

  • What if I have a question?

    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.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse organization that reflects, is responsive to, and embraces the diversity of the communities we serve throughout the world; respecting and valuing all people. AFP is committed to promoting an inclusive, equitable and accessible organization where every member, volunteer, staff, and board member can realize their potential and have their contributions valued. As you consider nominations, consider IDEA principles.


To read AFP's complete IDEA principles, click here.