Houston Fundraiser, Abby Trahan, MPA, CFRE Honored as AFP Outstanding Young Professional
CONTACTS:
Natalie Paskoski, Manager of Communications, (434) 236 – 5583, Natalie.Paskoski@afpglobal.org
(Arlington, Virginia) Abby Trahan, MPA, CFRE, development officer II, at the University of Houston, 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.
“I am incredibly grateful for the profound influence of my mentors, friends, colleagues, and family,” said Abby. “They've each played a role in shaping my view of generosity and how to effectively transform and empower communities. I've witnessed firsthand the power of mentorship, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative impact of generosity. To the next generation of fundraisers, I'm confident that our unique passions and experiences will continue to elevate our field as we work towards a more compassionate and equitable world.”
Despite being in the profession only five years, Abby Trahan has already exemplified an extraordinary capacity for transformational change.
In her first professional role as annual giving coordinator for the Houston Food Bank, Abby grew the monthly giving program by 60%, generating $3 million in dependable annual revenue with a remarkable 96% donor retention rate. Beyond the numbers, she created a culture of gratitude and stewardship through innovations such as a new tool for tracking donor touchpoints and a cross-departmental letter writing day to personally thank donors. This focus on relationship building and connection has resonated with the food bank’s supporters, exponentially expanding their capacity to serve the local Houston community.
In her successive roles as development officer I and II for the University of Houston, Abby has significantly expanded the organization’s capacity to attract and retain major donors, resulting in multiple six-figure gifts, including a $1.5 million commitment, as well as the University of Houston Law Center’s first endowed professorship during the current dean’s tenure. Her talents extend beyond major gifts, also facilitating a peer-to-peer campaign that raised $113,000—the highest in four years. Her commitment to stewardship that she cultivated at the Houston Food Bank is evident at the University of Houston as well through the innovative alumni relations programs she has spearheaded.
“Abby’s ability to integrate creativity, process improvement, and donor-centered strategies sets her apart as a leader in the fundraising field,” said Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, president and CEO of AFP. Her passion for making a difference is evident in every role she takes on, inspiring colleagues, donors, and community members alike. AFP is thrilled to honor Abby’s extraordinary contributions to the fundraising profession and celebrate her achievements at AFP ICON 2025.”
As an active member of AFP since 2018, Abby has demonstrated her leadership at the chapter level, serving as communications chair for National Philanthropy Day and mentoring emerging professionals through the Greater Houston Chapter’s Collegiate Chapters program. Abby also earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential just three years after joining the profession, showcasing her commitment to her future career in fundraising.
Her passion for this work extends into her personal life as well, where she has mentored young women through The Pangea Network, coached her church through a successful $1 million capital campaign, and served as a board member of the Texas State University Alumni Association.
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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