Metro Detroit’s celebration of National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15 will look a bit different this year.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals for Greater Detroit (AFP Detroit) is partnering with Detroit Public TV and Hour Media to bring the awards to life on television and in print. The TV broadcast is scheduled for Nov. 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Detroit Public TV.
In addition to celebrating Detroit’s philanthropy and its importance in the community, AFP Detroit will host a roundtable discussion among Detroit leaders on the role of philanthropy and nonprofits in addressing the impact of the pandemic, race relations, and social justice challenges.
This program will be held in lieu of the organization’s annual in-person dinner that normally draws hundreds of community, business, and philanthropy leaders. Detroit Public TV and Hour Detroit magazine will be partners with AFP Detroit for this year’s event.
While the pandemic may be changing the format, the focus on the importance philanthropy brings to the southeastern Michigan community cannot be forgotten, says Steve Ragan, president of AFP Detroit Chapter. Area non-profits utilize National Philanthropy Day to celebrate and honor the passion, commitment, and leadership of southeastern Michigan’s philanthropists, distinguished volunteers, and those in the fundraising profession.
In addition to four major awards that are given out each year, AFP Detroit will also present two additional awards: a Special Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Philanthropy honoring Mariam Noland, longtime president of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Spirit of Philanthropy Award recognizing the Pontiac Community Foundation.
Each of this year’s honorees will be featured on a show that will air in November on Detroit Public TV. It will also highlight metro Detroit’s leadership and philanthropists from the arts and culture, health care, education, social services, and other non-profit sectors.
“We simply can’t ignore the positive impact of philanthropy in each of our communities,” says Ragan. “That is true more than ever in 2020 when philanthropy has been instrumental to our community’s response to the worldwide pandemic. And we need philanthropy and the community leaders that make it happen as it also addresses issues related to social justice.”
An emphasis of the show is to share inspiring stories related to the important work that philanthropy makes possible in the region, Ragan adds.
It will also include “talk show” segments recognizing key honorees and their role in philanthropic efforts. Finally it will serve to kick start year-end charitable giving, Giving Tuesday on December 1, and the tax incentives available for charitable donations in 2020.
The 2020 honorees are:
Max M. Fisher Award for Outstanding Philanthropist – James and Patti Anderson
Outstanding Corporation Award – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Outstanding Foundation Award – Hudson Webber
Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Philanthropy – Miriam Noland
George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism – Lizabeth Ardisana
The Edmund T. Ahee Jewel Award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser – Henry Grix and Howard Israel
Neal Shine Award for Media Commitment to Philanthropy – Priya Mann
Spirit of Philanthropy Award – Pontiac Community Foundation
Sparky Anderson Award for Youth in Philanthropy – University of Detroit Jesuit High School
Dr. John S. Lore Award for Outstanding Fundraising Executive – Chuck Hammond
Sponsors of this year’s event include Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Beaumont Health, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Wayne State University, The Remington Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Hope Network
Learn more by visiting www.npddetroit.org.
