NPD 2025 Award Nominations

Award Nominations

We deeply appreciate your commitment to celebrating the incredible individuals and organizations that make a difference in Nashville’s philanthropic community by submitting a nomination for National Philanthropy Day.

To help you navigate the nomination process, we’ve outlined key guidelines below. We encourage all Middle Tennessee nonprofits and organizations to participate by nominating deserving candidates to be recognized at this year’s event. Together, let’s honor the outstanding contributions that strengthen our community and inspire others to give back.

Please email NPD Chair, Judi North, at jnorth66@gmail.com with any questions.

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1. Each nomination should include three parts:
  - Nominations can come from an organization or Contact Information for nominator and organization
  - Narrative (Word Limit: 1500 words for the entire narrative)
  - No more than 3 supporting documents (supporting materials can include letters of recommendation, news articles, etc.)
2. Make sure your nominee is submitted in the appropriate award category. Nominations will be considered in the category in which they are submitted, so make sure to choose the appropriate category based on the description on the nomination forms. For example, your organization cannot nominate the same individual for both Outstanding Champion of Diversity and Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist in the same year. Submit only one nomination per category.
3. Be sure not to nominate someone who has been a prior recipient in that category. Visit www.afpnashville.org/npd for a list of past recipients.
4. Feel free to update and resubmit a nomination. It is not uncommon for honorees to be nominated for a few years before being selected for an award.
5. Be clear and concise. Your nomination will not get extra points for writing style. NPD applications are reviewed and selected by the AFP Nashville Board, past AFP Board Chairs, and the NPD committee. Please craft a clear, concise, and compelling case for your nominee.
6. Be thorough in including all organizations that benefit from the nominee’s support. This will enable the selection committee to fully understand the nominee’s involvement in the community and breadth of impact. The best way to ensure that you’ve included everything is by asking your nominee for input!
7. Supporting material are helpful, but limited to three documents. Good supporting documents include letters of support from other organizations that benefit from the nominee’s philanthropy, news articles on the nominee, etc.
8. Include financial information when appropriate. A more compelling case can often be made for a nominee by including the amount of their gifts. This information will be kept confidential by the NPD committee and selection committee, as nominations are not made public. If your nominee is selected and you want to ensure that specific information is not included in the program booklet or announced at the luncheon, please contact NPD Chair Judi North at jpnorth66@gmail.com to discuss.
9. For multiple organizations submitting joint nominations:
  - Only one complete nomination should be submitted. Do not submit separate nominations for each organization nominating.
  - In the contact information, note each organization jointly submitting the nomination. Provide the name and contact information for one person who will be the nomination’s primary contact. This person will be responsible for disseminating information regarding the nomination/award to the remaining organizations.
10. Remember only information included in your nomination will be considered by the selection committee. No matter how well-known your nominee is, approach their nomination as though the selection committee is unfamiliar with the nominee.
Outstanding Champion of Diversity Award
This award honors an individual or family whose leadership and commitment to diversity have made a transformative impact on the Middle Tennessee region. Through their philanthropic activities, these Diversity Champions bridge communities, promote cultural awareness, and strengthen the spirit of collaboration and inclusion in our community.
Diversity Champions are "connectors" who celebrate the rich tapestry of our region, fostering unity and understanding across cultural boundaries. Their philanthropic efforts go beyond financial contributions, creating opportunities that empower individuals, cultivate economic growth, and enhance cultural vibrancy.
The breadth and depth of their initiatives reflect a dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive community, inspiring others to follow their example.
Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist Award
This award recognizes an individual aged 40 or under for outstanding generosity and civic responsibility, demonstrated through financial contributions and volunteerism with charitable organizations in the Middle Tennessee region. The recipient’s personal generosity and leadership within the community have inspired others to give and engage in philanthropy, fostering a culture of giving and community involvement.

Outstanding Philanthropist Award -
A philanthropist is defined as anyone who contributes their time, talent, or treasure to create positive change for humanity, regardless of wealth or status (National Philanthropic Trust). This award recognizes an individual or family for exceptional generosity and civic responsibility, demonstrated through significant financial contributions to charitable organizations within the Nashville/Middle Tennessee Region. The recipient’s personal generosity and leadership in the community should inspire others to give back and become actively engaged in philanthropy.
Outstanding Corporate or Organization Award
This award recognizes a philanthropic corporation or organization (e.g., civic groups, volunteer organizations, etc.) whose grant programs, contributions, and charitable initiatives have significantly enriched communities within the Middle Tennessee region. This organization exemplifies a model of philanthropic excellence, serving diverse segments of the community and inspiring others through its impactful giving and community engagement.
Outstanding Foundation Award This award honors a private or family foundation with a proven record of generosity through direct financial support and its ability to inspire individuals and organizations to take leadership roles in addressing the needs and priorities of our community and beyond.
Outstanding Philanthropic Small Business Award
This award recognizes a small business (fewer than 100 employees) whose contributions and charitable initiatives have enriched communities within the Middle Tennessee region. This business serves as a role model for philanthropic engagement, supporting diverse segments of the community and inspiring others through its commitment to giving back.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award
This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in organizing and executing fundraising initiatives for a charitable organization or cause, with a preference for efforts that directly impact the Middle Tennessee region. The recipient exemplifies outstanding leadership skills, inspiring and mobilizing volunteers to achieve remarkable results. Through generous contributions of time, talent, and dedication, this individual has made a significant and measurable impact on community philanthropy.

Outstanding Student Philanthropy Award
This award recognizes a student or student group (age 23 or younger) whose voluntary fundraising efforts exemplify the spirit of philanthropy and inspire others to give back. The honoree(s) demonstrate exceptional dedication to community service and philanthropy, making a meaningful impact in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee region and serving as a role model for peers and the broader community.

Outstanding Legacy Award
Selected in partnership with the Planned Giving Council of Middle Tennessee, this award honors an individual whose exemplary philanthropic contributions have been made through legacy gifts such as bequests, trusts, or other planned giving arrangements. To be eligible, the legacy donor must have made an irrevocable gift, with proceeds either already received or designated to benefit charitable organizations. In the event the recipient is deceased, the family members will be invited to accept the award in honor of the recipient.
Outstanding Professional Fundraising Executive Award
This honors a fundraising professional whose leadership and actions exemplify ethical and effective fundraising practices. The recipient’s efforts must have significantly enhanced the financial resources and visibility of the organization(s) they serve. Nominees should demonstrate a strong commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and continuing education, with a minimum of 10 years of experience as a fundraising professional (as of the nomination deadline). Preference will be given to those who are current AFP Nashville members and/or have earned the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or similar professional certifications. If assistance is needed to verify the nominee’s AFP membership status or credentials, please contact the AFP Nashville office.
Chamberlain Scholarship Award
This AFP Nashville scholarship aims to invest in professional development and empower emerging leaders in philanthropy in the Nashville region. The scholarship award provides an incredible opportunity for one (1) AFP Nashville Chapter member to enhance their fundraising knowledge and skills by attending the 2026 AFP International Conference on Fundraising (AFP ICON). The scholarship covers the full conference registration fee (less $10) and includes a $250 stipend to assist with travel and lodging expenses. The 2026 AFP ICON will be held in [City, State]. Eligibility criteria:
- Nominees must be current AFP Nashville Chapter members.
- Nominees must not have previously attended an AFP International Conference.
- Nominees must be employed full-time as a fundraising professional, or if the candidate is an executive director, at least 50% of his or her time must be devoted to fundraising.
- Nominees have never attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising.
Multi-Generational Award
Periodically, AFP Nashville presents the Multi-Generational Award to a family that has demonstrated exceptional civic and charitable responsibility across multiple generations. This award recognizes the enduring impact of their philanthropic efforts and their commitment to strengthening the community through service and giving.