Save the date
Join us for National Philanthropy Day on Thursday, November 5, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Date
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time
• 8:30am - 11:30am Mini-Conference • 12:00pm - 1:30pm : Luncheon & Awards
Location
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Topic
Tammy Zonker, Calling All Heroes
National Philanthropy Day
AFP West Michigan’s National Philanthropy Day (NPD) recognizes outstanding achievements by a individual, foundation and corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers, and professional fundraisers.
These awards recognize those individuals and organizations whose lifetime, long-term, and emerging achievements have made a significant impact on society.
NPD 2019
Lunch Presentation
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Tammy Zonker, Founder and President of Fundraising Transformed and host of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
EMCEE: Shelley Irwin, WGVU – The Shelley Irwin Show
GUEST SPEAKER: Art Taylor, AFP National President
National Philanthropy Day Schedule and Conference Information
SCHEDULE
8:30am – 11:30am: Mini-Conference (includes light bites and coffee)
-Session A: 9:00am – 10:00am
-Session B: 10:15am – 11:15am
11:30am – 12:00pm: General Networking
12:00pm – 1:30pm : Luncheon & Awards
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Tammy Zonker, Founder and President of Fundraising Transformed and host of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast
EMCEE: Shelley Irwin, WGVU – The Shelley Irwin Show
GUEST SPEAKER: Art Taylor, AFP National President
Mini-Conference Sessions (8:30-11:15am)
Each mini-conference session will run 45-minutes, allowing attendees to participate in two (2) of the three (3) sessions below:
Shannon Dale: Grand Valley State University – Extreme Makeover: Annual Giving Edition
Andy DeBraber: Kennari Consulting – Unlocking Generosity through Asset-Based & Planned Gifts
Keith Hopkins: Hopkins Fundraising Consulting – What Donors Really Say When You’re Not in the Room (lessons learned from nearly 10,000 donor interviews over the past 30 years)
NPD Call for Proposals
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) West Michigan Chapter is seeking
proposals from qualified speakers to present at our National Philanthropy Day MiniConference. This conference is an event that celebrates the contributions of philanthropy to
our community and provides valuable insights and knowledge to fundraising professionals
and nonprofit organizations.
Please submit your proposal via email to Spencer Haworth at spencer.k.haworth@gmail.com no later than Thursday, June 4.
NPD Call for 2026 Award Nominations
The deadline for nomination submissions is midnight on Friday, July 17, 2026!
In the interest of equal opportunity, this deadline will not be extended for any reason.
For any questions, please contact the National Philanthropy Day Committee Chair, Spencer Haworth at spencer.k.haworth@gmail.com.
2026 Awardees
Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional
- Kelli Smith, CFRE UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, President and CEO
Distinguished Philanthropist
- Tom Merchant, Community Volunteer
Emerging Nonprofit Development Professional
- Chelle Steffens, West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology, Director of Development
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser(s)
- NextGen Board of Directors, Wedgwood Christian Services
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (ages 18 and under)
- Nolan Jominy, Play it Forward
Outstanding Corporation, Foundation, or Community Organization
- McDonald’s Operators Business Association, Ken Berg, Owner/Operator
IDEA Award for Excellence in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
- YWCA Kalamazoo
West Michigan Chapter Award for Excellence in Fundraising
- Guiding Light
NPD 2026 Sponsorship Packet
2026 Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Grand Sponsor
Leadership Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
Friend Sponsors
Printing Sponsor
Media Sponsor
