Award Categories


The Philanthropist of the Year Award pays tribute to an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity in Northeast Ohio. Who, through direct financial support at any level, demonstrates outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles in their community. Nominations should address the following criteria:

    • Provide a description of the nominee's leadership role and responsibilities; ability to organize and manage campaigns and groups; funds raised; time, effort and personal financial commitment; and impact the nominee and his/her work had on the organization’s ability to provide programs and services.
    • Description of both the nominee’s ability to lead, motivate, manage and inspire others.
    • Description of the nominee’s support of other non-profits & community involvement.

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The Corporate Leadership Award honors a corporation or its corporate foundation, of any size or mission, that demonstrates outstanding commitment in Northeast Ohio through financial support and through encouragement, executive and employee involvement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement. Nominations should address the following criteria:

    • Include a description of philanthropic support (money, time and other resources); innovation and creativity in addressing the issue or cause; and impact of that support on those causes and nonprofits.
    • Description of the nominee’s work in encouraging and motivating others (e.g. employees, clients, customers, the public) to get involved with and/or take leadership roles in philanthropy.
    • Description of additional gift support and achievements accomplished through the corporation’s efforts.

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The Outstanding Foundation Award is presented to a foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support, innovation and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement. The breadth of demonstrated impact to supported organizations will be considered. Nominations should address the following criteria:

    • Provide a description of leadership role and responsibilities; ability to organize and manage campaigns and groups; funds raised; time, effort and personal financial commitment; and impact the nominee and his/her work had on the organization’s ability to provide programs and services.
    • Provide a description of the impact of the nominee’s philanthropic support, innovation and creativity and leadership.
    • Description of the nominee’s work in encouraging and motivating others to get involved with and/or take leadership roles in philanthropy and examples of the nominee's support of other organizations.

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The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to an individual or group with a record of exceptional generosity who: through a devotion of time has demonstrated outstanding support to a specific organization(s) or cause(s); encourages others to support an organization(s) or cause(s); is a role model for other community volunteers. The total hours contributed and the breadth of organizations supported with time will be considered. Nominations should address the following criteria:

    • Provide a description of the nominee's leadership role and responsibilities; time, effort and personal financial commitment; and impact the nominee and his/her work had on the organization’s ability to provide programs and services.
    • Description of both the nominee’s ability to lead, motivate, manage and inspire others.
    • Description of the nominee’s support of other non-profits & community involvement.

Click here to view the questions asked for this nomination


The Youth in Philanthropy Award recognizes service by an individual or group of young people who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. Nominations will be considered based on the responses to the following criteria:

    • Description in detail of what the nominee did, including goals, process, budget (if relevant) and people involved in the process (adult leaders or adviser, etc.) and of the time, talent and/or treasure the youth gave for the common good and the results that were achieved.
    • Description of the impact the nominee had on the community, number of people benefited (if applicable), financial impact (if applicable), organizations helped, etc.
    • Will the project(s) be ongoing and has the nominee considered next steps or is working on other projects.

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The Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award honors an outstanding individual fundraising professional in Northeast Ohio who works directly for a nonprofit, charitable organization. Nominees must have a MINIMUM of 5 years of experience as a professional fundraiser working directly for a nonprofit organization (years as a consultant will not be considered). They must also be a current AFP member. CFRE’s preferred. Nominations should address the following criteria, and consideration will be based solely on the responses:

    • Where the nominee has held a significant fundraising position (not necessarily entry-level but that position can be included if important), provide description of (1) position and responsibilities, (2) specific projects and campaigns completed, (3) funds raised and (4) impact of the nominee’s work on the organization’s programs.
    • Provide description of the nominee’s leadership, such as development of new programs and departments, significant increases in return on fundraising investment, successful management of key programs, creating new organizational cultures and/or introduction of innovative and creative ideas.
    • Description of nominee’s commitment to AFP, its mission of advancing ethical fundraising and the fundraising profession.
    • Description of individual’s commitment to continuing professional development, including certification (CFRE or ACFRE, or equivalent certification), conference participation, publication and professional education.
    • The breadth of demonstrated impact to supported organizations will be considered.

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The Philanthropy Innovator of the Year (Special Award) acknowledges individuals and organizations working with the philanthropy/non for profit sector to creatively address pressing issues of our time. This year, the award will be given to an emerging fundraising professional, emerging community leader, charitable donor (individual or organization), or other community not for profit profit organization who has initiated, funded, or embodied through leadership and execution an initiative in alignment with the values of AFP IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity or Access). AFP IDEA espouses to create a community that is not only diverse, but inclusive and equitable. Examples of efforts that have been developed, funded or executed that might qualify for this award include those that address equality and/or anti-racist initiatives.

Click here to view the questions asked for this nomination