Today more than 1,100 Houstonians will fill the ballroom of the Hilton Americas Hotel to honor individuals and organizations who model excellence in their efforts to “change the world with a giving heart” in our local community. The National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon (NPD) is annually hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Houston Chapter. Among those individuals being recognized this year are long-time community advocates Emily Crosswell and Maureen Hackett. Corporations and businesses being honored include Chevron, Legacy Ford, UT MD Anderson, and Empty Bowls Houston.
National Philanthropy Day’s roots go back to 1986 when then President Ronald Reagan officially recognized November 15 as National Philanthropy Day. Since then, NPD has been recognized by numerous state, provincial, and local governments across North America. As an economic anchor with a strong tradition of philanthropy, it should come as no surprise that Houston is home to one the nation’s largest NPD celebrations or that Houston business executive, outstanding community volunteer, and distinguished philanthropist James W. Crownover accepted the role of Honorary Chair for the event led by AFP-Houston.
“Earlier this year, watchdog group Charity Navigator placed Houston at the top of its list of U.S. cities with the best-performing nonprofit organizations. But, this is ‘old news’ to some us who have long known and benefited from the spirit of giving that permeates Houston’s culture. The NPD Luncheon gives us one big opportunity to express our appreciation by recognizing individuals, corporations, foundations, and fundraisers for their time, talent, and dedication to the spirit of giving here in our city and surrounding areas. I am delighted to be included in the celebration,” said James W. Crownover, Honorary Chair of the 2012 NPD event in Houston.
2012 AWARD HONOREES:
- Maureen Hackett/Hackett Family Foundation – Maurice Hirsch Award for Philanthropy, which recognizes Houston’s most outstanding individual or family philanthropist;
- Patrick B. Mulvey, CFRE, VP for Development, MD Anderson Cancer Center – Byron Welch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising;
- Emily Crosswell – Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser;
- Chevron – Houston Business Journal’s Outstanding Large Corporation;
- Legacy Ford – Houston Business Journal’s Outstanding Small Corporation;
- UT MD Anderson-Making Cancer History – Outstanding Fundraising Program, More than $250,000;
- Empty Bowls Houston, Outstanding Fundraising Program, Less than $250,000;
- Scanlan Foundation, Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation; and
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Humanitarian Peanut Butter Project, Outstanding Community Service Organization
Three additional awards, presented at other events, will also be recognized at NPD. These include the Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the year, which was awarded to Tom Moore, CFRE, Director of Advancement for The Kinkaid School; the M. Anne Murphy Award for Outstanding Professional Advancement, presented to Michael D. Delzotti, CFRE, CSPG, Director of Philanthropic Resources at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center; and a new award established this year, the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award, which was presented at an event this past February to the Interact Club of Seven Lakes High School in Katy ISD for their efforts to raise funds to sponsor landmine detecting dogs.
Hilcorp Energy Company serves as the Honorary Corporate Chair for the event. Major sponsors for the event include Chevron, Houston Business Journal, HEB, The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, Texas Children’s Hospital, Sterling and Associates, and UT MD Anderson Cancer. Financial support of NPD impacts many of Houston’s diverse nonprofit agencies and the clients they serve by allowing AFP Greater Houston Chapter to provide important educational programs to professionals at these institutions at reasonable costs.
There are over 12,000 nonprofits in the Houston/Harris County area with close to 4,000 recognized as charitable nonprofits, according to Kleiman. The larger number includes churches as well as professional and civic organizations and even Little Leagues. The community’s charitable organizations include hospitals, universities and schools, health and social services as well as organizations for the arts and culture programs.
Kleiman continued, “This exceptional event allows us as fundraising professionals, philanthropists, and community volunteers to join together to support, honor, and acknowledge Houston’s finest in philanthropy. It is these individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations who truly make our community better and stronger through gifts of time, talents, and treasures to the many non-profits touched by their efforts. This luncheon is not only a celebration of every person who has had the passion and courage to do something extraordinary for our community; it’s a source of inspiration, a call to action to do more.”
(Source: Press Release)