Washington, D.C. Fundraiser Casey Saunders, CFRE Honored As Outstanding Young Professional

(Arlington, Va.) Casey Saunders, CFRE, director of planned giving with The ALS Association National Office in Washington, D.C., has been recognized as one of five Outstanding Young Professionals by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

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

“It’s a real honor to be selected—I genuinely love fundraising and the power of philanthropy,” said Saunders. “I spend much of my time getting to know some of my organization's most dedicated donors, sharing their stories, and helping them make what will likely be their largest gift ever to advance our shared mission. It's a real privilege. I’m thankful to AFP for its continued support of my career and professional development.”

Saunders has been involved in the fundraising profession for nearly seven years. In his current role with The ALS Association—where he’s worked since April 2019—Saunders manages the planned giving marketing efforts and estate administration in addition to a 150-person portfolio of planned giving prospects. He has surpassed new planned giving commitment goals for the past two years, totaling more than 45 new commitments roughly valued at $1.6 million, along with bringing in more than $1 million annually in planned giving revenue through estate administration.

Prior to his work with The ALS Association, Saunders was with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, where he helped build the Legacy Society and bring in $1.3 million through estate administration.

“I’m truly delighted to congratulate Casey Saunders for being named one of our Outstanding Young Professionals this year,” said Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, president and CEO of AFP. “I’m in awe of his contributions to our profession so early in his career. He inspires all of us through his commitment to our profession and the mission he serves, and he will serve as a role model for other young fundraisers and those interested in joining our great profession.”

Outside of Saunders’ professional fundraising achievements, he is an active AFP member both nationally and locally with the AFP Washington, D.C. Metro Area Chapter. He is a member of the association’s young professional and LGBTQ+ affinity groups, recently serving as a panelist for the AFP Emerging Leaders Virtual Workshop.

Saunders is also currently a diversity, equity and inclusion committee member for The ALS Association National Office and a Legacy Society member of both the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The ALS Association.

He will receive his award at AFP ICON 2022, the largest conference of fundraising professional in the world. For more information, contact Michael Nilsen at (425) 241-4674 or Michael.Nilsen@afpglobal.org.
 

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 nearly 26,000 members raise more than $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, visit afpglobal.org.