High School Student, Michael-Christopher Suman, Earns International Youth Award for Outstanding Fundraising Efforts

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is excited to announce that Michael-Christopher Suman is the recipient of the 2026 William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Individual, sponsored by Carter.

The award, sponsored by Carter through the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, honors young people with a proven record of exceptional generosity, who demonstrate outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose philanthropy encourages others to engage on a community, national, and/or international level. 

Motivated by his mother’s experience living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Michael‑Christopher founded Detailing for MCAS in 2021. What began as a small, neighborhood‑based car-detailing fundraiser has now grown into a youth‑led, international nonprofit spanning 13+ countries across three continents, driven by the same compassion that inspired its founding.

Through hands‑on service, education, and community organizing, Detailing for MCAS has raised more than $100,000 to support hospitals, patient families, and rare disease research programs. From the beginning, Suman reinvested proceeds directly into patient support, awareness campaigns, and research collaborations, building a philanthropic model rooted deeply in empathy, action, and youth empowerment.

What started as a one‑person effort has transformed into a global volunteer network hosting more than 200 events, distributing over 500 care packages, engaging over 250 youth volunteers, and partnering with world‑renowned institutions including Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic Children’s Center, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. 

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals,” said Suman. “My work comes from the belief that we are called to serve others and to use what we’ve been given to make a meaningful difference. Fundraising, to me, is more than raising resources — it is an act of stewardship, compassion, and faith in action. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help build communities that support one another and to be part of a network committed to serving with integrity and purpose.”

“With experience growing global initiatives, I know firsthand the energy, enthusiasm and determination Michael-Christopher must possess that has led to this success at this scale,” said Bob Carter, chairman of Carter. “We at Carter are honored to recognize his achievement thus far and look forward to following his journey as a powerful force for understanding and treating MCAS.”

“Michael Christopher Suman and the growth of his nonprofit, Detailing for MCAS, demonstrate how a young person’s vision for the future can spark a movement,” said Art Taylor, AFP president and CEO. “By blending his passion for car detailing with deep compassion for families like his own that are impacted by MCAS, he created something that has grown far beyond a single fundraiser. What is truly powerful is the way he has inspired others to care about this cause and take action. That ability to motivate, to educate, and to rally a community is at the heart of effective fundraising. AFP is proud to honor his extraordinary leadership and impact.”

Michael‑Christopher personally oversees key aspects of Detailing for MCAS, including budgeting, volunteer coordination, communications, and strategic partnerships, while simultaneously developing a scalable leadership model that empowers youth worldwide. Through his Young Detailers program, he trains students to host local service events, and his International Awareness Webinar Series connects medical experts, patients, and young volunteers across continents, expanding international outreach and education. Together, these initiatives reflect not only his entrepreneurial skill, but also his profound commitment to ensuring that no family facing MCAS feels alone.

Sustainability and accessibility are central to this model. He has created volunteer manuals, event guides, and leadership onboarding materials to ensure continuity as the organization expands. Over the next 3–5 years, Detailing for MCAS is projected to grow to 20+ countries, supported by new regional youth boards and expanded hospital partnerships. In fact, Suman is currently studying abroad at United World College Maastricht in the Netherlands, providing additional opportunities for global expansion. 

Michael‑Christopher is also developing a Patient Voices digital storytelling initiative and plans to establish an annual research grant fund to support early MCAS research. He intends to pursue a career in molecular biology, furthering the scientific understanding of the condition that inspired his philanthropic journey. 

The award will be presented in San Diego on April 28 during AFP ICON 2026, the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world. 

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

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Co-founded by Bob Carter and Steve Higgins in 2011, Carter is a team of 50+ senior-level nonprofit professionals working in the areas of fundraising, governance and organizational planning to advance philanthropy worldwide.

Each Carter consultant brings decades of executive-level development experience to serve as an extension of an organization’s team, help maximize their potential and better serve their cause.

Carter has guided hundreds of organizations of all sizes, ranging from regional nonprofit agencies and national associations to international causes, in successfully planning for and implementing significant and transformational campaigns and organizational progress. For more information, visit www.carter.global.
 

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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.