Florida Fundraiser, Brian Marquez-Hall, Honored as AFP Outstanding Young Professional
CONTACTS:
Natalie Paskoski, Manager of Communications, (434) 236 – 5583, Natalie.Paskoski@afpglobal.org
(Arlington, Virginia) Brian Marquez-Hall, development officer, at the Southern Scholarship Foundation, has been recognized as one of two Outstanding Young Professionals by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The award will be presented in Seattle on April 27 during AFP ICON 2025, 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.
Brian Marquez-Halls’s remarkable career trajectory in the nonprofit sector reflects a deep passion for inclusivity, creativity, and innovation in fundraising. Starting as a development coordinator at Elder Care Services (ECS) in Tallahassee, Brian introduced initiatives such as a quarterly impact report that highlighted to donors the valuable role their contributions played in creating positive change at the senior service agency. These stewardship-focused efforts resulted in increased donor retention, including inspiring one donor to triple their gift from the previous year. As a queer Latino, Brian’s leadership at ECS extended beyond fundraising. While chair of ECS’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Brian launched an effort to translate materials into Spanish, and facilitated SAGE training for ECS’s case managers and frontline staff, helping to create a more welcoming and affirming space for LGBTQ+ seniors.
Currently, as a development officer at the Southern Scholarship Foundation (SSF), Brian has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising $100,000 in just 10 weeks during the spring appeal campaign and increasing unrestricted funds by 30% year-over-year.
While the industry as a whole continues to struggle to retain and recruit new donors, Brian is defying trends with a focus on meaningful donor engagement that has contributed to a 5% increase in retention, a 7% increase in first-time donors, and a 17% increase in monthly donors. His use of automated, segmented campaigns celebrating donor milestones and personalized welcome campaigns for new donors reflect Brian’s ability to embrace new technology in fostering relationships.
Looking ahead, Brian is preparing for a future in major gifts, a role his fellow chapter members feel he will certainly excel in, citing his ability to “matchmake” donors, pairing them with initiatives that fit their passions.
"I am honored and humbled to be recognized as one of AFP's Outstanding Young Professionals,” said Marquez-Hall. “For me, fundraising is more than just a profession—it’s a calling. This award validates the passion and dedication I’ve put into every organization I’ve served, and I’m excited to continue growing in this field and using philanthropy to create meaningful change."
“Brian Marquez exemplifies what it means to maintain the human connection that has always driven fundraising stewardship, while innovating with the tools of tomorrow,” said Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, AFP president and CEO. “His dedication to equity and inclusion has left a lasting impact on every organization he’s served, reflecting the core values he shares with AFP. We are thrilled to recognize him as one of the Outstanding Young Professionals of 2025.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Brian has made a profound impact as a volunteer and advocate. As president of the AFP FL, Big Bend Chapter, he has significantly increased attendance and engagement by fostering collaborations with local nonprofit leaders. Additionally, he is deeply committed to advancing LGBTQ+ equality, serving on the board of Equality Florida and contributing to policy initiatives through the City of Tallahassee Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Council.
As he looks ahead, Brian remains committed to advancing the fundraising profession while inspiring others to use philanthropy as a tool for meaningful change. His story is a testament to the vital role young professionals play in shaping the future of fundraising and philanthropy.
For more information about this award and AFP ICON, please contact Natalie Paskoski at (434)-236-5583 or natalie.paskoski@afpglobal.org
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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 26,000 members in over 220 chapters raise over $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, go to afpglobal.org.
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