AFP Awards: Awards for Philanthropy
The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievement by fundraising professionals, as well as youth demonstrating a passion for philanthropy.
Our awards are presented during AFP ICON.
These awards include:
- William R. Simms Awards for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, sponsored by Carter (Individual and Group)
- Award for Outstanding Young Professional
- Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional
Applications for 2027 awards will open September 2026.
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William R. Simms Awards for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, sponsored by Carter (Individual and Group)
This award recognizes service by an individual ages 10–18 who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. Nominees will be judged based on work done while they were 10–18 years old.
Michael‑Christopher Suman has been named the 2026 William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Individual, recognizing his exceptional generosity and global impact through the youth‑led nonprofit Detailing for MCAS. What began as a neighborhood car‑detailing fundraiser has grown into an international movement supporting rare disease awareness, patient families, and research across more than 13 countries. Read More
Represented by co‑presidents Rohan Dileep and Beatrice Norman, the Wisconsin-based nonprofit Meals Matter has been named the 2026 William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Group. From grassroots food drives to a growing multi‑chapter movement, Meals Matter is proving how youth‑powered philanthropy can create lasting change in the fight against food insecurity. Read More
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Award for Outstanding Young Professional
The Award for Outstanding Young Professional recognizes fundraisers under the age of 31 who display excellence in raising funds, inspiring donors, managing campaigns and dedication to the charitable sector.
Amari Duncan, director of philanthropic impact at Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region has been recognized as one of the 2026 AFP Outstanding Young Professional awardees. In just four years, Duncan has modernized fundraising programs, launched new signature events, secured a $300,000 transformational gift, and helped grow her organization’s budget from $600,000 to $1.3 million while now leading its first capital campaign in more than 40 years. She is being recognized for her donor‑centered, equity‑driven approach and her commitment to building strong, community‑based partnerships. Read More
Tatumn Zale, assistant director of development at AllThrive 365 is being honored as one of the 2026 AFP Outstanding Young Professional awardees. Zale is being recognized for rapidly rebuilding and modernizing fundraising programs, including doubling her organization’s recurring donor base, increasing event sponsorship revenue by 233%, and driving a 131% increase in individual giving in just one year. Her work reflects a strong commitment to donor‑centered strategy, collaboration, and social impact. Read More
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Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional
The Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional honors an outstanding individual fundraising professional who works for a nonprofit, charitable organization. Nominees must have a minimum of 15 years of experience as a professional fundraiser. They must also be a current AFP member.
Torrie A. Taj, CFRE has been named the AFP 2026 Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year. A visionary nonprofit leader with more than three decades of impact, Taj is being recognized for her innovative, ethical, and abundance‑minded approach to fundraising and organizational growth. The award honors her transformative leadership, including driving dramatic increases in philanthropic revenue, expanding services to tens of thousands of individuals annually, and championing a future‑focused vision for the fundraising profession. Read More
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A Note About the AFP Awards Committee: All awards recipients are chosen by the AFP Awards Committee. The committee reviews each application received by the stated deadline that satisfies all criteria. Due to the large number of entry forms submitted, the committee does not provide chapters or other applicants with an evaluation of their entry once the process is completed. If, in the judgment of the committee, no application for a particular award meets the stated criteria, no award will be given. The committee works to establish consistent criteria for each award.
View the scoring rubrics for the 2026 awards:
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