Association of Fundraising Professionals to Host 28th Annual National Philanthropy Day Dinner

Madison Heights’ Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will host the 28th annual National Philanthropy Day Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at The Henry in Dearborn to honor philanthropists, volunteers, and fundraising professionals in the region.
1207
Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals
The Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will host its National Philanthropy Day Dinner at The Henry in Dearborn. // Stock photo

Madison Heights’ Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will host the 28th annual National Philanthropy Day Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at The Henry in Dearborn to honor philanthropists, volunteers, and fundraising professionals in the region.

The event will include a reception, dinner, and the awards presentation, and more than 700 people are expected to attend. The gathering is the largest of its kind in southeastern Michigan and will bring together corporate and civic leaders, philanthropists, community volunteers, individual and institutional funders, board members, not-for-profit leaders, and guests.

“We are really proud to have the opportunity to recognize a great list of individuals and organizations that are shining examples of promoting the ideals of philanthropy,” says Steve Ragan, chair of the 2019 National Philanthropy Day Awards committee and executive vice president of Hope Network. “This is a day of both celebration and one of creating awareness for the opportunities that exist to further support our communities.”

David and Sherry Cotton will be honored with the Max M. Fisher Award for Outstanding Philanthropist due to their support of advancements in animal welfare, wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and humane education at the Detroit Zoo. They funded the lead gift for the Cotton Family Wetlands and Boardwalk at the zoo and have donated to health care causes and Grosse Pointe and Detroit redevelopment efforts.

Mike and Adele Acheson will receive the Edward T. Ahee Jewel Award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for their charitable efforts for the Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills. They have contributed to and raised funds for the Cranbrook Care Pediatric Initiative, Women Rock Science, and other programs. Adele Acheson has served as chair of the board of trustee’s committee on development since 2016. The couple has also provided volunteer leadership to Gleaners, City Year Detroit, and Math Corps.

Steve and Sheila Hamp are receiving the George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism for their roles with charities including New Economy Initiative, Michigan Education Excellence Foundation and Purple Rose Theatre, Iron Belle Trail, and the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund. Steve Hamp sits on charitable boards including the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Paul Miller will be awarded the Dr. John S. Lore Award for Outstanding Fundraiser for his work as the fundraising executive of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation. He has secured a significant amount of grant money and other resources that have been used to provide local residents with mental health services.

Rhonda Walker of WDIV-TV will be given the Neal Shine Award for Commitment to Media in Philanthropy. She is a member of the Renaissance Chapter of the Links Inc., a partner with Cornerstone Schools, a member of the Winning Futures Member Collaboration, the founder and president of the Rhonda Walker Foundation, which helps inner-city teenage girls, and is on the board of trustees at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

PVS Chemicals will be given with the Outstanding Corporation Award for its support of Detroit Public Television, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Autism Alliance of Michigan, Futures Foundation, Michigan Colleges Alliance, Alternatives for Girls, College for Creative Studies, Junior Achievement, and Forgotten Harvest.

The Ted Lindsay Foundation will be honored with the Outstanding Foundation Award. In 2015, the foundation gave $30,000 to Oakland University’s Center for Autism Outreach Services. In 2018, it pledged $1 million to the same organization to further fund teenage and adult autism programming.

AAYI Kappa League will receive the Sparky Anderson Award for Youth in Philanthropy. The group seeks to build leadership skills primarily in male African American high school students. Its members have chosen to support the Michigan Student Advocacy Center over the last couple of years, which works with students who have been suspended and expelled so they and their parents understand and take advantage of their rights.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the organization’s education, scholarship, and diversity programs promoting high ethical standards in fundraising.

National Philanthropy Day was established in 1985 by the Association for Fundraising Professionals and will be celebrated on the day of the dinner.

Sponsorship opportunities are available here or by contacting Rebecca Hepner, sponsorship chair, at Rebecca.Hepner@kidsalive.org or (248) 892-6355.

Tickets for the event are $125 each and will be available for purchase soon here.