AFP Chapter Spotlight: AFP Greater Dallas Chapter

AFP caught up with the Greater Dallas Chapter recently to learn about their National Philanthropy Day initiatives. 

Why is National Philanthropy Day (NPD) important to celebrate in your community?
National Philanthropy Day is important to celebrate in the Greater Dallas community because it recognizes the outstanding achievement of national scope by individual, foundation and corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers, and professional fundraising executives. In professional fundraising, such individuals and organizations form a vital partnership that philanthropy must have to maintain its contribution to mankind. It is right and proper, therefore, that we honor those who best exemplify commitment, dedication and talent toward helping society

What awards does your Chapter recognize and why?
Our chapter presents six awards: Outstanding Fundraising Executive, Outstanding Corporation, Outstanding Foundation, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser and Outstanding Philanthropist.  

Through these six award categories, our chapter members have an opportunity annually to nominate individuals and organizations who they feel exemplify exceptional leadership and generosity in our community.  

What changes are you implementing to your NPD Program? Why are you making these changes?
The NPD Awards Selection Committee is comprised of past fundraising executive award honorees. Last year, our awards selection committee added three new permanent members: IDEA Chair, VP External Affairs, and the Chapter President. By adding these three new members, it has expanded the diversity of representation of people from unique positions and experience from across our profession.

The second change occurred last year and continues present day. A sub-committee was formed of three members of the Chapter Board and three members of the Awards Selection Committee to comprise a nominations sourcing “task force.”  They work for four months in the fall to help source nominees for our six award categories for the following calendar year.  The purpose of the NPD Nominations Sourcing Committee is to source and guide the development of excellently written nomination applications. Special emphasis is placed on identifying nominees from historically underrepresented groups. The work of this Task Force greatly enhances and builds the pipeline of nominees for all categories of NPD honorees: Philanthropist, Volunteer Fundraiser, Executive, Foundation, Corporation and Youth.

What is the biggest success your Chapter has in NPD? How do you know if the program is successful year after year?
The biggest success our chapter has had in NPD is the addition of three permanent members of the NPD Awards Selection Committee and the creation of the NPD Nominations Sourcing Committee.  Since the creation of the Sourcing Committee, we have seen a significant increase in nominees. 

What challenges have you encountered?
Coming out of 2020 and the pandemic, NPD has looked different for us.  Not only did the world look and feel different, philanthropy looked and felt different. We knew our NPD event had to shift as well. Not only did we make a strategic and thoughtful effort to source more diverse nominees but we also changed formats, from a traditional luncheon to virtual to an evening cocktail reception, all while significantly shortening our program time and remaining impactful so we could honor and recognize so many great leaders and changemakers in our community.       

What are you most excited about for NPD 2022?
We shifted to an evening reception time for the first time last year and it was so well received that we are continuing it this year.  Our community is ready to celebrate in-person again and we can’t wait to see them! 

What advice would you give you chapter who are trying to improve their NPD program?
Improving any program is the responsibility of the leadership and takes a commitment to see it through in order to achieve success.  Ensuring that everyone is on the same page and all in can be a difficult road to travel.  It may take time, but don’t be discouraged.