Congratulations to the AFP Greater Detroit Chapter's 2025 National Philanthropy Day award recipients! For more information on each recipient, please click on their photo or name.
Max M. Fisher Award For Outstanding Philanthropist
is presented to an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional philanthropic generosity, whose demonstrated philanthropic commitment encourages others to take leadership roles in philanthropy.
Honoree: Robert Bollinger | Founder, Bollinger Motors & Robert Bollinger Foundation
Nominated by Linda Little of Neighborhood Service Organization
Outstanding Foundation Award
is presented to private foundations that demonstrate outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement.
Honoree:Â Mary Thompson Foundation | Jana Kirlin Brownell, Board President
Nominated by Maddi Riemenschneider of Lori's Hands
Outstanding Corporation Award
is presented to a corporation or its corporate foundation for demonstrating outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement.
Honoree:Â Rocket Community Fund | Marvin Logan, Director of Education & Employment
Nominated by Danielle Manley of Wayne State University
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award
is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in volunteer fundraising, and in coordinating and motivating groups of volunteers for major fundraising projects for more than one non-profit organization.
Honoree: Sheri Mark, RN, JD | Board Chair, North Star Reach
Nominated by J.J. Lewis of North Star Reach
Dr. John S. Lore Award For Outstanding Fundraising Executive
is for an outstanding individual fundraising executive who practices his/her profession in an exemplary manner. The recipient must have at least ten years of professional fundraising experience, evidence of quality of leadership and acting as a team player, be a current member of AFP, commitment to continuing professional development, and commitment to fundraising and philanthropy through volunteer service and financial support of non-profit organizations.
Honoree: Jennifer L. Dale, CFRE | Director of Strategic Partnerships & Growth, Angela Hospice
Nominated by Amanda Lawson of Angela Hospice
Sparky Anderson Award For Youth In Philanthropy
was instituted as a way to recognize and reward philanthropic young people and to educate youths about the importance of helping and giving. The purpose of the youth award is three-fold: first, to thank students for volunteering their time and energy to a particular project; second, as an inspiration to encourage other children to become involved in fundraising activities by following the example of the winners; and third, to give public recognition to youths and their philanthropic projects.
Honoree: Lessley C. Romero-Rodriguez | Youth Affairs Intern, Mayor’s Office – City of Detroit
Nominated by Jeremiah Steen of the Steen Foundation
Spirit Of Philanthropy Award
is given to an organization, corporation, or to one or more individuals to acknowledge those that have made outstanding contributions to the philanthropic culture of our community, especially in times of need. The recipient has contributed to the community by giving time, resources, and financial support in innovative ways that creates lasting impact and sets an example for our community.
Honoree: Dr. Nancy Fishman | Founder, Forgotten Harvest
Nominated by Emily Rathod of Forgotten Harvest
Local awards presented annually at the Greater Detroit Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day celebration:
Neal Shine Award For Media Commitment To Philanthropy
is presented to individuals with media activity focusing on building communities, demonstrating a consistent ethical foundation, showing a commitment to and success in making metropolitan Detroit a better place to live, and developing leadership and personal involvement in others.
The Neal Shine Award for Media Commitment to Philanthropy is not be awarded in 2025.
George W. Romney Award For Lifetime Achievement In Volunteerism
is given annually to one or more persons who have contributed many years of service to the community and who have simultaneously exhibited quality fundraising and personal giving, offering inspiration to others, and contributing their time and energies to charities of their choice.
Honoree: Chue Hom | Volunteer, Association of Chinese Americans
Nominated by Tao Liu of the Association of Chinese Americans
2025 NPD Awards Committee
Co-Chairs:
Emily Rathod
Individual Giving Manager
Major Gifts, Forgotten Harvest
Jeremiah Steen
Executive Director
Steen Foundation
Members:
Peggy Kerr
Judson Center
Maddi Riemenschneider
Lori's Hands
Stephanie Maurice
Psi Chi
Emily Moncivais
The Zekelman Holocaust Center
Jackquelyn Garrett
The Center for Michigan
Samyah Hairston
Developing Kingdoms In Different Stages (K.I.D.S.)
Mary Barden
Wayne State University
Aja Gregorowicz
Zaman International
Travis Brown
Communities First
Rachel Wasserman
Gilda's Club
2025 NPD Award Nominations
The 2025 award nominations will be posted here. Please note that the process is not automatic; it may take 1-2 business days for nominations to be updated.
Sparky Anderson Award for Youth in Philanthropy
| Honor White | Founder, the David Project and Founder & Leader, St. Francis Society for Animals Club | Shrine Catholic High School and Academy | Shrine Catholic High School and Academy | 06/30/2025 |
| Anna Wang | Co-President | Association of Chinese Americans - Teen Volunteer Council | Association of Chinese Americans | 06/30/2025 |
| Lessley Romero-Rodriguez | Student | Henry Ford College | DEVKEY | 05/16/2025 |
| Lessley Romero-Rodriguez | Endowment Fellow 2025 | Steen Foundation | Steen Foundation | 05/16/2025 |
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award
| Anne Lehker & Sam Slaughter | Valued Board Member and Dedicated Volunteer | Professional Volunteer and Wind River Strategies | Covenant House Michigan | 06/30/2025 |
| Sheri Mark | Board Chair | North Star Reach | North Star Reach | 06/30/2025 |
| Kai Sood | President, Make-A-Wish Chapter | Shrine Catholic High School & Academy | Shrine Catholic High School & Academy | 06/30/2025 |
| Leslie Carmona | Sr. Director, Donor Experience & Individual Giving | Wayne State University | Michael Carmona | 06/25/2025 |
| Lisa Beck | Retired GM CFO | American Cancer Society | Erin Schrieber | 06/09/2025 |
Max M. Fisher Award for Outstanding Philanthropist
| Michael Choffness | Volunteer | The Henry Ford | The Henry Ford | 06/30/2025 |
| Courtney Smith | Founder and CEO | Detroit Phoenix Center | Catalyst Media Factory | 06/30/2025 |
| Megan Fenkell | Executive Director | Jamie & Denise Jacob Family Foundation | Developing K.I.D.S. | 06/27/2025 |
| Judith G. Yaker | MiSide Community Impact Network | 06/24/2025 | ||
| Andrea Reed | Owner | My MSK LLC | The Honey Pot Food Pantry & Resource Hub | 06/22/2025 |
| Robert Bollinger | Board Chair | Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) | Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) | 06/13/2025 |
Outstanding Foundation Award
| Madelyn Wisne | Program Officer/Vice President | Toni A. Wisne Foundation | Michigan Humane | 06/30/2025 |
| Mary Thompson Foundation | Lori's Hands | 06/30/2025 | ||
| Kylee Mitchell Wells | Executive Director, SE Michigan | Ballmer Group | Thrive Scholars | 06/30/2025 |
| Elizabeth Steig | Executive Director & President | The Carls Foundation | Forgotten Harvest | 06/30/2025 |
| Rodney Cole | President, DTE Foundation and Corporate Citizenship | DTE Foundation | The American Red Cross of Michigan | 06/30/2025 |
| Chris Perry | Executive Director | Jamie Daniels Foundation | Oakland University | 06/27/2025 |
| Renee Sovis | Vice President & Program Officer | Margaret Dunning Foundation | The Arc of Northwest Wayne County | 06/24/2025 |
Outstanding Corporation Award
| Erica Schlenker | Senior Program Manager | DTE Energy | Association of Chinese Americans | 06/30/2025 |
| Mike Morse | President | Mike Morse Law Firm | Michigan Humane | 06/30/2025 |
| Marvin Logan | Director of Education and Employment | Rocket Community Fund | Wayne State University | 06/30/2025 |
| Simon Mourani | Associate Program Manager | DTE | Association of Chinese Americans | 06/30/2025 |
| Sean Zecman | Executive Chairman | National Food Group | Forgotten Harvest | 06/30/2025 |
| Sue Sabo | Director, Communications and Corporate Giving | Masco | American Red Cross | 06/30/2025 |
| April M. Clobes | President/CEO | Michigan State University Federal Credit Union | Oakland University | 06/30/2025 |
| Chris Yatooma | President/CEO | Citizens State Bank | Autism Alliance of Michigan | 06/27/2025 |
| Joe Schotthoefer | Vice President of Operations | Doetsch Environmental Services | St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher (SVSF) Center | 06/24/2025 |
| S. Evan Weiner | President & CEO | Edw. C. Levy Co. | MiSide Community Impact Network | 06/24/2025 |
| Dean and Cathy Austin | President/CEO/COO | Austin Benefits Group | JoJo Dries, On The Wings of Angels | 06/24/2025 |
| Gail Taylor | Community Manager | JP Morgan Chase | Developing K.I.D.S. | 06/23/2025 |
| Mark Jansen | President & CEO | First State Bank | Macomb Community College Foundation | 06/12/2025 |
George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism
| Paul Huxley & Cindy Pasky | Chairman/Founder, President & CEO | Strategic Staffing Solutions | Michigan Humane | 06/30/2025 |
| Colleen Ochoa Peters | Founder | Meaningful Impact Consulting, LLC | Lighthouse | 06/30/2025 |
| Chue Hom | Volunteer | Association of Chinese Americans | Association of Chinese Americans | 06/30/2025 |
| Amy Henderson | Mass Care Program Coordinator - Mid Michigan | The American Red Cross | The American Red Cross | 06/30/2025 |
Spirit of Philanthropy
| Suzanne Seitz | President | Lace Up Detroit | Starfish Family Services | 06/30/2025 |
| Marie Gress, LMSW-Macro | Executive Director | Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) | Maddi Riemenschneider, Stanley Consulting Group | 06/30/2025 |
| Ali Bazzy | Team Captain | Zaman Detroit Run Club | Zaman International | 06/30/2025 |
| Dr. Nancy Fishman | Founder | Forgotten Harvest | Forgotten Harvest | 06/27/2025 |
| Cheryl Boodram & Ashley Chambers | CFO & VP | Chief Financial Credit Union | On The Wings of Angels | 06/24/2025 |
| Melvenna Fant-Jones | Founder / Executive Director | Wheat Inc. - Women Healing Eternally and Transforming | MSU Research Institute for Structural Change | 06/13/2025 |
Neal Shine Award for Media Commitment
| Dr. Kendall Morris | Mrs. Michigan Captivating 2025 | Captivating Pageants | Captivating Pageants | 06/22/2025 |
Dr. John S. Lore Award for Outstanding Fundraising Executive
| Jennifer Dale | Strategic Partnerships & Growth | Angela Hospice | Angela Hospice | 06/26/2025 |
Join The AFP Greater Detroit Chapter Today!
Our chapter isn’t just for fundraisers. Professionals working in foundations, grantmaking, and other areas of the social impact sector will find tremendous value in joining AFP Greater Detroit. We provide specialized programs and networking opportunities that enhance your ability to support nonprofit organizations and drive meaningful change. Being part of AFP connects you to a broader community of changemakers dedicated to advancing the common good.