Philanthropist of the Year Award

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:

• Describe 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 their work had on the organization's ability to provide programs and services.
• Description of the nominee's ability to lead, motivate, manage, and inspire others.
• Description of the nominee's support of other non-profits & community involvement.

Corporate Leadership Award

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 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 the impact of that support on those causes and non-profits.
• Description of the nominee's work in encouraging and motivating others (e.g., employees, clients, customers, the public) to get involved with and take leadership roles in philanthropy.
• Description of additional gift support and achievements accomplished through the corporation's efforts.

Outstanding Foundation Award

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 on 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 their work had on the organization's ability to provide programs and services.
• Describe the impact of the nominee's philanthropic support, innovation, creativity, and leadership.
• Description of the nominee's work in encouraging and motivating others to get involved with and take leadership roles in philanthropy and examples of the nominee's support of other organizations.

Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to an individual or group with a record of exceptional generosity who, through 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:

• Please describe the nominee's leadership role and responsibilities, time, effort, and personal financial commitment, as well as the impact the nominee and their work had on the organization's ability to provide programs and services.
• Description of the nominee's ability to lead, motivate, manage, and inspire others.
• Description of the nominee's support of other non-profits & community involvement.

Youth in Philanthropy Award

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 treasure the youth gave for the common good and the results that were achieved.
• Description of the nominee's impact on the community, number of people benefited (if applicable), financial impact (if applicable), organizations helped, etc.
• Will the project(s) be ongoing? Has the nominee considered the next steps, or are they working on other projects?

Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award

The Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award honors an outstanding individual fundraising professional in Northeast Ohio who works directly for a non-profit, charitable organization. Nominees must have a MINIMUM of 5 years of experience as a professional fundraiser working directly for a non-profit 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 necessary), describe (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.
• Describe the nominee's leadership, such as developing new programs and departments, significantly increasing return on fundraising investment, successfully managing critical programs, creating new organizational cultures, and introducing innovative and creative ideas.
• Description of the 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.

Philanthropy Innovator of the Year (Special Award)

The Philanthropy Innovator of the Year (Special Award) acknowledges individuals and organizations working with the philanthropy/non-profit sector to address pressing issues of our time creatively. 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 organization who has initiated, funded, or embodied through leadership and execution of 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 anti-racist initiatives.