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
Presenters will be selected in July. We will offer three sessions to attend.
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.
2025 Awardees
Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional
Laura Aikens
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Grand Valley State University
Executive Director, Grand Valley State University Foundation
Distinguished Philanthropist
Jane and Jim Zwiers
Emerging Nonprofit Development Professional
Ariana Hernandez
Donor Services Specialist, Blandford Nature Center
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser(s)
Bob Koning and Nicolas Correa
Teachers, Grand Haven Christian School
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (ages 18 and under)
Maria Christopoulos and Mason Babiak
Forest Hills Eastern High School and Wayland Union High School
Outstanding Corporation, Foundation, or Community Organization
Community Homeworks
IDEA Award for Excellence in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
United Way of South Central Michigan
West Michigan Chapter Award for Excellence in Fundraising
D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s
NPD 2026 Sponsorship Packet
2026 Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Grand Sponsor
Leadership Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
Friend Sponsors
Printing Sponsor
Media Sponsor
