Each year AFP honors individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy, their communities and the world.

The AFP Minnesota Chapter is pleased to offer recognition of outstanding achievements within the following categories (not all awards are given every year):

• Outstanding Individual Philanthropist to individuals or families who have demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and generosity.

• Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership as a volunteer for a major fundraising project for more than one nonprofit.

• Outstanding Professional Fundraiser to individuals who practice his/her profession in an exemplary manner and are an inspiration to others.

• Outstanding Philanthropic Organization to businesses, corporations, foundations and/or organizations who have demonstrated outstanding philanthropic commitment.

• Outstanding Legacy Award posthumously awarded to individuals or families as recognition of their generosity and volunteer support.

2008 Award Recipients

Past Award Recipients

Outstanding Individual Philanthropist
2007 – Nicky Carpenter
2006 – Lawrence and Andrea Schweizer McGough
2005 – Gerald A. and Henrietta Rauenhorst
2004 – John A. Berg
2003 – Olivia Irvine Dodge
2002 – Bruce Dayton and Ruth Stricker Dayton
2001 – Natalie Krauch Lund
2000 – Robert and Gail Buuck
1999 – Richard “Pinky” McNamara
1998 – Kathryn and Harold Larson
1997 – Lee and Barbara Kopp
1996 – Mrs. Howell P. Skoglund
1995 – Stefannie Valencia-Kierlin and Bob Kierlin
1994 – Eugene U. and Mary F. Frey
1993 – Alan C. Page
1992 – Edward E. Asplin
1991 – Russell T. Lund, Sr.
1990 – Harry “Bob” C. Piper
1989 – Reuel D. Harmon
1988 – Marie O’Brien Slawik
1987 – Margaret W. Harmon
1986 – Jay Philips
1984 – Marie F. Wasie  

Outstanding Volunteer Fund Raiser
2007 – Karen Bachman
2006 – Penny Rand Winton
2005 – Mary (Molly) Begelow McMillan
2004 – Peter R. Spokes
2002 – David A. Koch
2001 – Marilyn Tickle Bryant
2000 – Dr. Ford W. Bell
1999 – Robert F. Callier, Sr.
1998 – Kay Sullivan Bendel
1997 – Anne Welliver
1996 – Thomas McLeod
1995 – Pierson M. “Sandy” Grieve
1994 – David R. Fesler
1993 – Lloyd L. Brandt
1992 – James W. Reagan
1991 – Charlton Dietz
1990 – Neal L. Gault
1989 – Barbara Gray Koch
1988 – Elizabeth and Russell Bennett
1987 – Sandra K. Butler
1986 – Mary Lee Dayton
1985 – Clarence G. Frame
1984 – Dale R. Olseth
1983 – Carl B. Drake
1982 – Harvey B. Mackay  

Outstanding Professional Fund Raiser
2007 – John A. Martin, CFRE, MGI Fundraising Consulting, Inc.
2006 – Sarann Slattery, CFRE
2005 – Don W. Taylor, CFRE
2004 – Audrey P. Kintzi, ACFRE
2003 – Carol A. Schmidt, CFRE
2002 – Michael J. Henley, CFRE
2001 – Michael W. Walgren, CFRE
2000 – Bruce W. Flessner
1999 – Bob Golberg, CFRE
1998 – Craig C. Wruck
1997 – C. Ben Wright, CFRE
1996 – Nancy McKillips, CFRE
1995 – Robert A. Evenson, CFRE
1994 – Karla A. Williams, ACFRE
1993 – Carleen K. Rhodes, CFRE
1992 – Ann L. Bitter
1991 – Beatrice J. Capriotti, CFRE
1990 – Harvey DeVries
1989 – Linda Kay Smith, CFRE
1988 – Robert S. Voigt, CFRE
1987 – David E. Johnson
1986 – Robert A. Peterson
1985 – Don L. Albertson, CFRE
1984 – Robert J. Odegard
1983 – Wilko B. Schoenbohm
1982 – Philip S. Brain, Jr. CFRE  

Outstanding Philanthropic Organization
2007 – Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
2005 – Target
2004 – Cargill
2003 – American Express Financial Advisors
2002 – K102--KEEY/Clear Channel Minneapolis
2001 – Best Buy Children’s Foundation
2000 – Medtronic, Inc.
1999 – Women’s Association of the Boys and Girls Club of Minneapolis
1998 – Otter Tail Power Company
1997 – The Pillsbury Company
1996 – Andersen Foundation
1995 – Honeywell Corporation
1992 – The St. Paul Companies
1991 – The Minneapolis Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation
1990 – The Bush Foundation
1989 – Blandin Foundation
1988 – The Jerome Foundation
1987 – The Otto Bremer Foundation
1986 – The 3M Foundation
1985 – The General Mills Foundation
1983 – The McKnight Foundation
1982 – For Initiating “Minnesota 5% Investment Program":

Kenneth N. Dayton
Dayton Hudson Corporation
David A. Koch
Graco, Inc.
Wayne E. Thompson
Dayton Hudson Foundation

Outstanding Youth Award
2007 – The Genocide Intervention Network: Minnesota University of Saint Thomas chapter
2006 – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students: St. Louis Park High School
2005 – Kara Apland and Courtney Smith
2004 – Venture Crew 6
2002 – Northland Foundation, Kids Plus
2001 – Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley: “For all the Girls” Campaign and Chris Wayne
1997 – The Fridley High School Key Club
1996 – Minnesota FFA Association
1994 – Waseca County 4-H: Cultural Diversity Youth Project
1992 – South St. Paul High School: Clinton Hill and Kids for Saving Earth
1990 – Minneapolis South High School: Caliacan Neighborhood Relief Project  

Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy
2007 – Tim Burchill, CFRE
2006 – Paul Verret
2001 – Steve Rothschild
1999 – Joe Selvaggio
1996 – Humphrey Doermann
1993 – Judson Bemis
1992 – James Shannon
1988 – Curtis L. Carlson
1983 – William L. McKnight and Maude McKnight  

Legacy Award
1999 – Martin Ehlers
1996 – C. Mildred Speranza
1995 – William and Mildred Peters
1992 – Elva B. Love
1991 – Albert J. Gonska
1990 – Genevieve Stelberg
1987 – Emma B. Howe  

Notable Philanthropic Effort
2000 – Van and Cheryl’s KS95 for Kids Radiothon
1997 – Dave Ryan, Lee Valsvik, and Pat Ebertz of KDWB 101.3 Radio