Tatumn Zale Recognized as 2026 Outstanding Young Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals

Tatumn Zale, assistant director of development at AllThrive 365, 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 social impact sector.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition and grateful to be part of a profession rooted in purpose and collective impact,” Zale said. “Fundraising has shown me how powerful this work can be, both for the communities we serve, and for the people who choose it as a career. I’m especially passionate about encouraging other young professionals to see social impact fundraising as a meaningful, fulfilling path where they can make a real difference.”

At AllThrive 365, where Zale serves as assistant director of development, her impact has been transformational. She first joining the organization as annual fund manager, she oversaw all aspects of the annual fund, revitalized donor communications, strengthened corporate partnerships, and re‑launched fundraising events that had been dormant for three years due to the pandemic. She successfully executed two major fundraising events in a single day and doubled the organization’s recurring donor base.

Since her promotion to assistant director of development, Zale manages $6 million in annual grant revenue and a portfolio of high‑level corporate partners. Her accomplishments include increasing event sponsorship revenue by 233%, securing multiple major gifts over $10,000, and expanding in‑kind partnerships, such as free haircuts and transportation vouchers for low‑income seniors.

Zale also built AllThrive 365’s individual giving program from the ground up. After implementing a new donor CRM system, she developed donor portfolios, gift pipelines, and automated outreach, contributing to a 131% increase in individual giving in just one year.

Before joining AllThrive 365, Zale began her fundraising career at Esperança, where she quickly emerged as a creative and reliable force on the development team. Within her first months, she was named a finalist in the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) pitch competition and went on to design and implement the organization’s first donor stewardship matrix supporting 4,000 annual donors.

She also introduced a 12‑month touchpoint strategy, developed portfolio systems across departments, and helped achieve a 63% donor retention rate — laying the foundation for the strategic, donor‑centered approach that continues to define her work today.

“Tatumn Zale demonstrates a truly well rounded commitment to our profession,” said Art Taylor, AFP president and CEO. “From advancing through multiple fundraising roles to pursuing her CFRE and even launching a consulting business to support other nonprofits, she brings energy and dedication to every part of her work. Her enthusiasm also extends to civic engagement, through her participation in efforts like her local Nonprofit Day of Advocacy. Tatumn’s blend of drive, expertise, and service makes her an outstanding choice for the 2026 Outstanding Young Professional Award.”

A dedicated member of the AFP Greater Arizona Chapter, Zale was named the chapter’s inaugural Emerging Fundraiser of the Year, and she has held multiple leadership positions including National Philanthropy Day chair, board secretary, sponsorship chair, and co‑chair of the National Philanthropy Day Leadership Awards Committee. She has raised tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorships and in‑kind support for chapter events and continues to invest in her own professional development through AFP mixers, education events, and CFRE preparation — having already earned 70 of the required 80 CFRE credits.

As co‑founder of Kindling Impact Consulting, LLC, Zale supports small and mid‑sized nonprofits in strengthening their fundraising and communications infrastructure, building the business into a $30,000 venture in just two years. She is also active with Young & Empowered Women, where she previously led development and community engagement efforts, and she frequently shares her expertise as a speaker for sector events and panels. Beyond her formal roles, Tatumn volunteers with Ironman Arizona and Girls on the Run, bringing her signature enthusiasm and encouragement to community events.

Zale’s service to AllThrive 365 is also deeply personal. While supporting the organization’s mission to help Arizonans age with confidence, she became the primary caregiver for her grandmother, balancing caregiving with her professional responsibilities and continued achievement.

Tatumn’s breadth of leadership, her commitment to collaboration, and her drive to strengthen the nonprofit sector at every level exemplify the spirit of the Outstanding Young Professional Award.

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.