The Association of Fundraising Professionals CA, Desert Communities Chapter, is pleased to announce the six honorees for their upcoming 12th Annual National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert Awards Luncheon. This annual, highly-anticipated event will take place on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, located at 32250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, California. Harold Matzner, notable Coachella Valley philanthropist and owner of Spencer’s Restaurant, will be this year’s Presenting Sponsor and will serve as Honorary Chair of National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert. Patrick Evans of CBS Local 2 will serve as emcee for the Awards Luncheon.
“My Co-chair, Judi Olivas, and I feel so privileged to be part of an event that recognizes the exceptional commitment of people like this year’s honorees,” said Event Co-chair Gailya Brown. “Their tireless devotion to “Changing The World With A Giving Heart” is an inspiration to us all,” she continued.
Founded in 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations which generates philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions, advancing philanthropy forward through its 33,000 members in 243 chapters throughout the world. AFP works to foster philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and professional certification programs, while promoting high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. The AFP Desert Communities Chapter currently boasts a membership of 100 fundraising professionals within the Coachella Valley.
Celebrating its 58th year, National Philanthropy Day® is a special day set aside for the purpose of recognizing the great contribution philanthropy makes to our society, and to honor individuals, businesses, and support organizations that are active in the philanthropic community. Here in the Coachella Valley, it is a day when we pay tribute to our own – the exemplary local philanthropists, businesses, and organizations who give so generously of their time, talents, skills, and financial support, making our community a much better place for us all.
The Desert Communities Chapter of AFP believes that philanthropy benefits not only our own communities, but enriches and empowers the global community. National Philanthropy Day® offers an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of charitable giving and the spirit that makes such generosity possible.
“ National Philanthropy Day® is the perfect occasion that allows the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the desert community to recognize and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, making so much available to all in the Coachella Valley community,” stated Sarah G. Clapp, President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals CA, Desert Communities Chapter.
This year’s distinguished Honorees include:
- Outstanding Philanthropists – Jill and Barry Golden
- Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer – Patrick Evans
- Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation, Philanthropic Corporation or Civic/Service Organization – Walter Clark Legal Group
- Outstanding Nonprofit Founder – Roberta Klein, Read with Me
- Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy – Coachella Valley Youth Grantmakers
- Outstanding Fundraising Professional – Tim Evans, Cfre,Ceo, the Unforgettables Foundation
“Each year, the caliber of nominations from the community for National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert gets stronger and stronger,” stated Judy Vossler, Blue Ribbon Committee Chair. “ This year was no exception, with many deserving individuals, companies, and foundations being recognized for their generous philanthropic support of the 800 plus nonprofit organizations within our Valley,” Vossler continued. The Blue Ribbon Committee included Mark Anton, Gary Hall, Susie Harvey, Terri Ketover, Nate Otto, Mary Roche, Dawn Suggs, and Sandy Woodson. Angela Allen served as Awards Committee Chair, and her Committee included Bob McKechnie, Eileen Packer, Mitch Blumberg, Connie Golds, Tom Head, and Brian Daly. The Gold Ribbon Committee included Chair Terri Bona, Sarah Clapp, Louise Cummings, Jan Hawkins, Paula Kennedy, and Scott Schroeder.
“Every year, the National Philanthropy Day® honorees inspire and move me with their devotion to the causes they support!” stated Presenting Sponsor and Honorary Chair Harold Matzner. “Collectively, their generous gifts of time, talent, and financial support have served the entire Coachella Valley, making it a better place for all of us to live,” Matzner continued.
Leading Underwriters for this year’s National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert include Honorary Chair and Presenting Sponsor Harold Matzner and Award Sponsors H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, and Wells Fargo. Luncheon Sponsors include College of the Desert, Peggy Cravens, Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler, Loma Linda University Health, and Madeline Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations, Inc. Table Sponsors include The Community Foundation, Desert Arc, First Foundation Bank, Hot Purple Energy, Morgan Stanley, and Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
Desert Sun Media Group is this year’s Presenting Newspaper Sponsor. Additional Exclusive Media Sponsors include Palm Springs Life, Alpha Media –Palm Springs, Gulf California Broadcast Company, and Desert Charities News.
Early Bird Tickets are now on sale online at $ 75 per person. After October 15th, individual registration will be $ 125 per person, space permitting. Tables of ten can also be purchased for $ 1,200. For registration and event information please visit www.afpcadesert.org or contact Event Co-chair Judi Olivas at 760-989-4211 or Judi@onefuturecv.org