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Outstanding Fundraising Professional
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The Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional honours an outstanding individual fundraising professional who works for a nonprofit, charitable organization. Nominees must have a minimum of 15 years of experience as a professional fundraiser. This person is dedicated to serving charitable institutions and is committed to the advancement of philanthropy and the fundraising sector. They must also be a current AFP member.
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- Career Achievement & Impact: The nominee's sustained success over 15+ years in fundraising, including measurable results, innovation in practice, and meaningful contributions to the organizations and communities they have served.
- Leadership & Advancement of the Profession: Describe how the nominee has demonstrated leadership within the sector-through mentoring, volunteering, thought leadership, or involvement in AFP-and contributed to strengthening and advancing the fundraising profession.
- Ethical Practice & Commitment to Philanthropy: The extent to which the nominee exemplifies integrity, accountability, and adherence to ethical fundraising standards, while showing a deep, ongoing commitment to philanthropy and charitable work.
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Outstanding Rising Star
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This award recognizes an individual who has at least 3 years of experience as a professional fundraiser working directly for a non-profit, charitable organization, and who is a rising star in the field of philanthropy. It aims to recognize the leadership of an individual who brings a breath of fresh air to the community while promoting the values of AFP and who represents the best of the next generation in the profession. Preference is given to current AFP members.
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- The nominee's accomplishments within their first 3+ years in fundraising, including measurable results, contributions to campaigns or initiatives, and demonstrated growth in their role.
- Describe how the nominee brings fresh ideas, creativity, and initiative to their work, showing leadership potential through new approaches, problem-solving, or influence within their organization or community.
- Describe the extent to which the nominee embodies AFP values, demonstrates ethical practice, and invests in their development and the broader fundraising community (e.g., mentorship, involvement, learning).
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Power Behind the Purpose Award
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This award honours a fundraising professional or team whose leadership strengthens the infrastructure that makes philanthropy possible. Through operational insight, systems thinking, and a commitment to excellence, they power fundraising success. Whether through data integrity, financial stewardship, donor experience, logistics, technology, or administrative leadership, they transform complexity into clarity and strategy into sustainable impact. This award celebrates practitioners whose work is foundational, strategic, and indispensable - creating the conditions for mission-driven fundraising to thrive.
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- Describe the extent to which the nominee strengthens the infrastructure of fundraising through data integrity, processes, technology, financial stewardship, or logistics, improving efficiency, accuracy, and overall effectiveness.
- Describe how the nominee's work translates strategy into action, supporting fundraising outcomes, enhancing donor experience, and enabling teams to perform at a higher level.
- Describe the nominee's ability to navigate complexity, implement solutions, and demonstrate initiative and leadership (formal or informal) that drives sustainable, organization-wide impact.
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The Creative Catalyst Award
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This award recognizes a fundraising campaign that pushes boundaries and redefines what's possible. It celebrates bold, creative thinking across one or more fundraising channels-such as direct mail, events, digital, peer-to-peer, or integrated approaches to deliver standout results. These campaigns demonstrate "outside-the-box" ideas, thoughtful risk-taking, and a fresh approach that challenges traditional approaches. Above all, it showcases what can be achieved when great minds, creativity, and strategy come together to inspire donors and drive meaningful impact.
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- Describe the originality of the campaign's concept and execution, including how it challenges traditional fundraising approaches and demonstrates bold, "outside-the-box" thinking.
- Describe how effectively the campaign aligns creative ideas with clear goals, audience insight, and chosen channels (e.g., digital, events, direct mail), resulting in a well-executed and cohesive initiative.
- Describe the campaign's measurable success and meaningful outcomes, including funds raised, donor engagement, reach, and its overall impact on the organization or community.
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