Amari Duncan Recognized as 2026 Outstanding Young Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals

Amari Duncan, director of philanthropic impact at Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region, has been recognized as one of two Outstanding Young Professionals by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The award will be presented in San Diego on April 26 during AFP ICON 2026, the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world.

The award recognizes fundraisers under the age of 31 who display excellence in raising funds, inspiring donors, and managing campaigns, while demonstrating dedication to the charitable sector.

“Fundraising is about people, building trust, honoring stories, and creating space for possibility,” said Duncan. “I’m thankful for the mentors and communities who believed in me early and often, and I’m proud to do this work alongside partners who believe that coming together is how we build a more equitable future for the next generation of leaders.”

Despite entering the profession only four years ago, Duncan has already established herself as a strategic, innovative, and mission centered fundraising leader.

At United Way of the Greater Capital Region, she managed more than 40 corporate partnerships and revitalized Emerging Leaders United, growing its membership to more than 110 and establishing it as a pipeline for new donors and volunteers. She also directed 518 Day, the region’s largest day of service, mobilizing more than 1,500 volunteers across nine counties as a one‑person team — strengthening corporate relationships and reigniting community engagement.

Since joining Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region in 2023, Duncan has led all non‑grant fundraising, modernizing the organization’s advancement program and increasing financial sustainability. She launched three new signature fundraising events, introduced her innovative “Five Ts” partnership model (time, treasure, talent, testimony, and ties), and secured numerous high‑value contributions, including a $300,000 transformational gift that funded a new leadership program and the organization’s first full‑time program director in more than a decade.

Her donor‑centered, equity‑driven approach has diversified revenue streams, expanded the major donor base, and contributed to the organization’s significant budget growth — from $600,000 to $1.3 million since 2020 — with much of that expansion occurring during her tenure. Duncan is now leading Girls Inc.’s first capital campaign in more than forty years, securing six‑figure gifts, major in‑kind contributions, and improvements that have transformed program spaces, facilities, and infrastructure.

“In just a few short years, Amari Duncan has built an impressive fundraising track record rooted in partnership and community-based relationship building,” said Art Taylor, AFP president and CEO. “What is equally inspiring is Amari’s commitment to giving back. She is already mentoring younger students of color at her alma mater, Albany Academy for Girls, helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and pathways to opportunity. Her work is transforming organizations today while opening doors for tomorrow’s changemakers. AFP is proud to honor her as a 2026 Outstanding Young Professional.”

Duncan’s leadership extends deeply into the community. She serves as development chair for the KIPP Capital Region Board of Trustees, where she helped establish the board’s first annual development goals and achieved 100% board giving participation. She is also president of the Albany Academy for Girls Alumnae Council, becoming both the youngest and the first Black woman to hold the role, and has strengthened alumnae engagement through expanded outreach and updated committee structures. Duncan remains an active member of the AFP Hudson Mohawk Chapter, is a 2023–2024 Fundraising Cohort graduate, and received the chapter’s Emerging Fundraiser of the Year Award (2024).

Her commitment to continuous education is reflected in her acceptance into Girls Inc. National’s LEAP Cohort, a selective leadership program facilitated by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Beyond her formal positions, she participates in the Power Breakfast Club, a weekly networking group that fosters connection, routine, and community among local professionals rebuilding social ties post‑pandemic. Together, these roles highlight Duncan’s dedication to ongoing learning, community building, and expanding opportunity wherever she serves.

For more information about this award and AFP ICON, please contact Natalie Paskoski at (434)-236-5583 or [email protected]

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Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. The association works to advance effective and ethical philanthropy by providing advocacy, research, education, mentoring, collaboration and technology opportunities for the world’s largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP’s more than 24,000 members in over 180 professional chapters raise over $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, go to www.afpglobal.org.