SAVE THE DATE (November 14, 2023) for National Philanthropy Day this year!
National Philanthropy Day® (NPD) is a special day set aside in November to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy–and those people active in the philanthropic community–to the enrichment of our world. First held in 1986, NPD celebrates the endless daily contributions individuals and organizations across the world make to countless causes and missions.
On National Philanthropy Day, we celebrate the extraordinary change that fundraising and philanthropy have created to help change our world. This begins right here at home, and our community is exceptional.
The past year and a half, our treasured volunteers, donors, and friends have shown their devotion to our organizations. Please join us as we honor those that have support our organization’s greatest needs.
Learn more about our awards below!
1. Outstanding Philanthropist Award
This award recognizes an individual or family for contributions to one or more organizations in Northern Illinois. The individual or family must have a proven record of exceptional generosity through direct financial support and demonstrate outstanding civic and charitable responsibility.
2. Outstanding Corporation or Foundation
Corporations or foundations are honored for outstanding commitment and financial support of philanthropic causes in Northern Illinois. The award recognizes a business or foundation whose generosity has greatly benefited the community, as well as encouraged and motivated others to assume leadership roles toward causes of philanthropy.
3. Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award
This outstanding individual must have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills coordinating major fundraising campaigns and motivating groups of fundraising volunteers for the benefit of charitable institutions.
4. Outstanding Community Service Volunteer Award
This outstanding individual must have made a significant impact by providing support through gifts of their time and talents to a number of organizations in the not-for-profit community.
5. Future Philanthropist Award
This award honors an individual or group of young people, 18 to 24 years of age, for extraordinary volunteer fundraising efforts on behalf of philanthropic causes.
6. Presidential Youth Service Award
This award recognizes exemplary leadership and generosity of spirit in an elementary, middle or high school student or group of students whose selfless efforts have benefitted a good cause in the community. Young people who receive this award represent the best of humanity and good citizenship and serve as an inspiration to all.
Philanthropy Day Award Recipients – AFP Rockford Area Chapter
Outstanding Philanthropist – Individual, Corporation, Foundation
2022 – Jennifer Furst
2022 – Goellner Family Charitable Foundation
2019 – Rick and Lana Engen
2019 – Thrivent Financial
2018 – Jean Castle
2018 – First Free Rockford
2017 – Dawna Menke
2017 – Perks Family Foundation
2016 – John & Fran Morrissey
2016 – Club Blue
2015 – Stephen and Dorothy Baits
2015 – Members Alliance Credit Union
2014 – Michael V. and Mary LaLoggia
2014 – V2 Marketing Communications/
Kathy Velasco
2013 – John and Roberta Mink
2013 – The Blazer Foundation
2012 – Edward & Mary Rounds
2012 – BMO Harris Bank
2011 – Nicholas Family
2011 – Savant Capital Management
2011 – Rockford Memorial Dev. Foundation
2010 – Try-Beta Foundation
2010 – Anderson Packaging
2010 – Ralph Kreissler
2010 – Sunil Puri and Family
2009 – James Boeger
2009 – Alpine Bank
2009 – Dean Alan Olson Foundation
2008 – Anne and Norm Meyers
2008 – SwedishAmerican Medical Foundation
2008 – Gloyd Family Foundation
2007 – LoRayne Logan
2007 – Richard D. Nordlof
2007 – Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
2006 – Robert W. Stenstrom
2005 – Richard and Grace Leighton
2005 – Rockford Cosmopolitan Club
2004 – The Funderburg Family
2004 – Specialty Screw Corporation
2003 – Wayne & Judy Timpe
2003 – Rockford Products Corporation
2002 – John McDonough
2002 – BankOne Foundation
2001 – Delores and Dick Martin
2001 – Rockford Health System Auxiliary
2001 – Sjostrom & Sons, Inc
2000 – Janet Kjellstrom
2000 – Marshall Fields
2000 – Rockford East/Cherry Valley Rotary
1998 – Bergstrom Charitable Foundation
1998 – Rockford Noon Lions Club
1997 – Robert & Jane Solem
1997 – William Howard Charitable Trust
1997 – Rockford Downtown Kiwanis
1996 – Cedric & Tara Blazer
1995 – Polly W. Griffin
1994 – Alpine Kiwanis Charities
1993 – Barber Colman Funds
1992 – Clint Maslen
1991 – First National Bank & Trust
1990 – Smith Charitable Foundation
1989 – Woodward Governor
1989 – AMCORE Foundation
1987 – Sundstrand Foundation
1986 – Svenson Foundation
1985 – Gannett Foundation
1985 – CLARCOR Foundation
Outstanding Young Fundraising Volunteer
2008 – Stephanie Baliga
Outstanding Young Philanthropist
2008 – Benjamin Dixon
Outstanding Legacy Award
2022 – Daniel Nielsen (posthumously)
Future Philanthropist
2022-Student Advisory Board of The Pregnancy Care Center
2019 – Rock Valley College Students of Service (SOS) Club
2018 – Xavier Howard
2017 – Ellie Schneider and the Hallstrom Homeschool Co-op
2016 – Christiana Belonger
2015 – Association of Latin American Students
2014 – K Cancer Baseball Youth Advisory Board
2013 – Clare, Anna and Grace Dailey
2012 – Riley Kegley
Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer
2022 – Wray Howard
2019 – Barbara Pittman
2018 – Steve and Jeanine Elsberg
2017 – Sagar Patel
2016 – Gary Kaatz
2015 – Father David Beauvais
2014 – Lisa Normoyle
2013 – Paula Turner
2012 – Betty Willard
2010 – Steve Nailor
2009 – Donald A. Mosser
2008 – Jane Smith
2007 – John Crone
2006 – William C. Roop
2005 – Phil Turner
2004 – James Keeling
2003 – Sue Lakin
2002 – None
2001 – James Waddell
2000 – Joe Bussone
1999 – Mary Ann Smith
1998 – Roger K. Taylor
1997 – Jack W. Packard
1996 – Alvin Becker
1996 – Leonard Carmichael
1995 – Lawrence Gloyd
1994 – Charles G. Uram
1993 – Carl J.Dargene
1992 – Nancy Olson
1991 – Georganne Eggers
1990 – Roger Reese
1989 – Kent A. Mallquist
1989 – Allan C. Mallquist
1988 – Tref Harnois
1987 – J. Peter Jeffrey
1986 – Daniel J. Nicholas
1985 – Harry E. Ritter
Outstanding Community Service Volunteer
2022 – Dawn Reints
2019 – David Larsen
2018 – Ruth Fairchild
2017 – Mary Jo Hare
2016 – Hazen Tuck
2015 – Barb Berman
2015 – Ted Brolund
2014 – Steve McIntosh and Greg Schwanke
2013 – Sheri White
2012 – Bob McLaughlin
2010 – Kent Mallquist
2009 – Douglas J. Brooks
2008 – Armer Severin
2007 – Josephine “Jody” Deery
2006 – Patrick T. Derry
2005 – Jim and Julie Watt
2004 – Mike Broski
2003 – John Mink
2002 – Dorothy Galloway
2001 – Arthur Anderson
2001 – Winnebago County Medical Society
Alliance
2000 – Daniel Loescher
2000 – The Junior League of Rockford
1997 – Teresa Ingrassia
1997 – 23 WIFR TV
1998 – Paul Logli
1998 – 13 WREX-TV
1995 – Saturn of Rockford
1996 – Rockford AMBUCS
1995 – WTVO News Channel 17
Presidential Youth Service Award
2018 – Girl Scout Troop 3127
2017 – Guilford HS EMITT Academy Construction Trades Students
2016 – Girl Scouts Mariner Ship 361
2015 – Girl Scout Troop 3223
2014 – Max Freund
2013 – Auburn Key Club
2012 – PIT Crew of North Boone HS
2011 – Taylor Staman
2010 – Jack O’Neil
2010 – Delta Student Ministry
2009 – None