Assoc. of Fundraising Prof. - GG Chapter Announces 2014 National Philanthropy Honorees

SAN FRANCISCO - Aug. 1, 2014 - PRLog -- The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Gate Chapter is pleased to invite you to the 28th Annual Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at The Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA.  Each year the AFP Golden Gate Chapter marks one day to celebrate the spirit of giving by recognizing exemplars in philanthropy and social change.  Awards are presented to individuals and institutions whose giving to the community is an inspiration to many locally, regionally and even nationally.  We are pleased to announce the 2014 honorees.

The recipients of The Outstanding Philanthropists Award are Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer for their commitment to generously support education, food sustainability, environmental sensibility, and for projects that tie all of those together.  Not just grants, they have put their ideals into operation – creating Beneficial State Bank for low-income neighborhoods, TomKat Ranch and TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation for sustainable agriculture, and the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford.

The Hank Rosso Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award goes to Traci Eckels, of KQED, for her great skills as a fundraiser, leader and team builder.  Known as both a visionary and being detail-oriented, she has been a key participant in two strategic planning processes for KQED.

The Award for The Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer will be presented to Mark Buell who has volunteered his time and talent as an auctioneer to fundraise for countless non-profits around the Bay Area.  His leadership skills as Board Chair and Member as well as his fundraising prowess have greatly benefited a wide range of organizations and helped raise millions for important projects contributing to the richness of San Francisco’s cultural fabric.

The recipient of The Outstanding Corporate Grantmaker Award is Pacific Gas and Electric Company which has demonstrated leadership through its visionary support of many Bay Area institutions that are committed to sustainability, STEM education, and the environment.  The company’s support enabled several California organizations to build and operate powerful green buildings that not only reduce energy consumption and costs, but also serve as learning tools for the public.

The Outstanding Foundation or Community Grantmaker Award goes to the The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for its enormous impact on both the communities it serves and the organizations it supports.  The Hewlett Foundation is among the nation’s largest grantmakers, yet it maintains its abiding commitment to its Bay Area home by supporting the region’s least served communities in the areas of education, performing arts, environment, and population.

The Award for The Outstanding Foundation Professional will be presented to Mary G. F. Bitterman, President of the Bernard Osher Foundation, whose thoughtful leadership on behalf of the Board of the Osher Foundation has influenced countless educational and cultural organizations throughout our region, helping to ensure the vibrancy and dynamism that distinguish the philanthropic and nonprofit culture of the Bay Area.

The Vineyards Award, which celebrates an organization having less than $500,000 in private support, goes to Performing Stars of Marin, founded in 1990 with the belief that providing involvement in art, music, theater, and other enrichment opportunities for low income and at-risk children would help them “reach for the stars” as they grew and matured. It has served over 1,000 children and has witnessed countless success stories.

The honorees of the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award are high school students Katie Easterly and Paige Blake, co-founders of local nonprofit What’s Mine is Yours.  In two years, Katie, Paige, and their dedicated family and friends have collected close to 7,000 pieces of clothing and distributed nearly 3,000 pieces of clothing, accessories, and shoes.  They have partnered with local agencies that work with area girls between the ages of 12-17 years, to fulfill their requests for clothing.

The Luncheon Celebration will be preceded by an educational forum (optional) hosted and sponsored by Relationship Science, an innovative fundraising partner featured in Forbes, New York Times, and The Economist. Relationship Science will host a panel of Bay Area nonprofit executives to help reevaluate, redefine and potentially revolutionize fundraising efforts, utilizing new technology to better leverage networks and relationships and reduce costs.  NPD ticket holders may attend this forum at no additional cost.

NPD 2014 takes place on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 11:30 am at The Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA.

The Leading Edge Forum runs from 9:30 to 11:15 am at the same venue.

For tickets visit afpgoldengate.afpnet.org and for partnerships and sponsorship, contact Robin Morjikian NPD 2014 Sponsorship Chair at morjikianr@vision.ucsf.edu.

For media relations contact Y’Anad Burrell, Glass House Communications at yanad@glasshousepr.com.