What is National Philanthropy Day?

National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside on the fifteenth of November. The purpose of National Philanthropy Day is to recognize the great contributions that philanthropy and those active in the philanthropic community have on the enrichment of our world. On this special day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Quad Cities (AFP-QC) hosts an annual awards presentation in honor of National Philanthropy Day. During this awards presentation, we reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible by bestowing numerous awards to honor those that are making a difference through philanthropy.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

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NPD 2025 Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors
Merrill Lynch Financial Advisors Robin Scott and Catherine Dittmer

Altruistic Sponsors
TWB Fundraising, Wastyn & Associates, Rhythm City Casino, Quad City Planned Giving Council

National Philanthropy Day – Quad Cities
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Breakfast served: 8:00–8:30 a.m. | Program begins: 8:30 a.m.

Join us for a morning of inspiration and celebration as we honor the power of philanthropy in the Quad Cities. National Philanthropy Day recognizes the individuals, organizations, and businesses whose generosity, volunteerism, and acts of kindness make our community stronger and more vibrant.

The program will feature a keynote from Dr. Anna Pruitt, Senior Vice President and Philanthropic Strategist at Bank of America Private Bank, and the presentation of awards recognizing outstanding contributions to our local nonprofit and civic landscape.

National Philanthropy Day 2025 Keynote

“Decoding the Motivations and Strategies of Affluent Donors: The 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy”

Dr. Anna Pruitt, Senior Vice President and Philanthropic Strategist at Bank of America Private Bank

With the number of Americans giving to charity on the decline, many nonprofits increasingly rely on a smaller, more affluent circle of supporters to meet their fundraising goals. The 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy, the 10th in a series of biennial reports on giving by wealthy households in the United States, offers practical insights into where, how, and importantly why affluent Americans give and volunteer. This understanding can help build the confidence and increase the success of nonprofit leaders when seeking the support of high-capacity donors.  Please join our speaker, Anna Pruitt, Senior Vice President, and Philanthropic Strategist at Bank of America Private Bank, for a discussion about this important and timely topic.

Full participation in this event is applicable for 1 point in Category 1.B-Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

2025
National Philanthropy Day Award Recipients

Join us as we celebrate these professionals, volunteers, and philanthropists who are making a difference in our local community.

2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to the following individuals and organizations:

Outstanding Fundraising Professional
Ashley Hicks
Nominated by: Angie Kendall, Hand in Hand

Outstanding Philanthropist or Charitable Family
Jim and Jayne Field
Nominated by: Ashley Hicks and Angie Kendall, Hand in Hand

Outstanding Planned Giving Professional
Anne Calder, CAP
Nominated by: Quad City Planned Giving Council

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
Tom Thoms
Nominated by: Liz Gougeon and Nicole Mann, EveryChild

Outstanding Youth/Youth Group
North Scott High School Students
Nominated by: Jayna Gallagher, River Bend Food Bank

AWARD NOMINATIONS

CLOSED for 2025
We are seeking nominees who exemplify the spirit of philanthropy — those whose actions, whether through charitable giving, volunteerism, or leadership, have made a significant impact in the Quad Cities.

Who will you nominate?

Nominations for 2025 closed on September 12.

The nomination form can be found here.

  • The Outstanding Philanthropist or Outstanding Charitable Family award, one of AFP’s highest honors, is given to an individual or group who has made a monumental impact in the community through its support of local nonprofit organizations. Winners have a proven record of exceptional generosity and fundraising leadership. Through direct financial support, they have demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility, encouraging others to take philanthropic leadership roles.

  • Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser recognizes an individual or family who demonstrates exceptional skills in coordinating and motivating groups of volunteers for fundraising projects for the benefit of charitable organizations.

  • Outstanding civic/service organization, Foundation, Corporation or Corporate Foundation: honors an organization that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement. Winners have a proven record of exceptional generosity and leadership.

  • Outstanding Youth/Youth Group award recognizes service by a young person(s), through age 18, who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in the community through his/her guidance and dedication to philanthropy.

  • The Outstanding Planned Giving Professional Award is bestowed annually in recognition of outstanding service in the field of charitable gift planning in the Quad Cities region. Recipients have a proven record of leadership; have demonstrated success in inspiring clients, donors, or other professionals to incorporate gift planning into their charitable giving work; and practices their profession in an exemplary manner.

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Past Award Recipients

  • Outstanding Civic/Service Organization: Wastyn & Associates

    Outstanding Fundraising Professional: Anika Martin

    Outstanding Charitable Family: Linda & J Lewis Randolph

    Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Decker Ploehn

    Outstanding Planned Giving Professionals: Molly O'Meara Schnell and Melissa Hancock of Schnell & Hancock, P.C.

  • Outstanding Philanthropist: Jim Russell

    Outstanding Fundraising Professional: Joscelyn Rowe, CFRE

    Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Wynne Schafer

    Outstanding Civic Service Organization: Royal Neighbors and Amy Jones

    Outstanding Youth: Cherie Henningsen

  • Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Dr. Joe and Ann Lohmuller Nominated by Melinda “Missy” Gowey, CFRE, Executive Director, Genesis Health Services Foundation

    Outstanding Planned Giving Professional David Nelson Honoree selected by the Quad City Planned Giving Council

    Outstanding Youth Group Teens for Tomorrow (T4T) Nominated by Esmeralda Kizer, Board Member, Quad Cities Community Foundation

    Outstanding Foundation Regional Development Authority Nominated by Tracy Singleton, Executive Director, Together Making a Better Community

    Outstanding Charitable Family Donna and Paul VanDuyne Nominated by Barb Melbourne with Clare Thompson, Palmer College of Chiropractic

  • Outstanding Philanthropist Heidi Huiskamp-Collins, Founder and CEO of Huiskamp-Collins Investments, LLC Nominated by Rebecca Arnold, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

    Outstanding Corporation / Corporate Foundation Ascentra Credit Union, Nominated by Quad Cities Community Foundation

    Outstanding Planned Giving Professional Tom Hammar of Hammar and Associates Nominated by Trista Foster of Quad Cities Planned Giving Council

  • Due to the Pandemic, the awards were not held as usual and all philanthropists were recognized:

    Amber Wood - Lead(h)er

    Ann Watkins - Ballet Quad Cities

    Bill and Cathy Litwinow - Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities

    Bill Hannan - Genesius Theatre Foundation

    Chelsea Frame (The Happy Cat Tattoo) and Aimee Ford (AF Studio) - Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

    Chris and Mary Rayburn - Quad City Arts

    Christine Engebrecht - New Kingdom Trailriders

    Clyde and Donna Schoeck Family - Quad City Botanical Center

    Dan and Kathy Kilen - Safe Families for Children, Quad Cities

    Danny Joe Memorial Golf Tournament - Children’s Cancer Connection

    Dave Heller/Quad Cities River Bandits - Genesis Foundation

    David and Sally Nelson - Prince of Peace Catholic School

    Don and Kathy Healy - The Arc of the Quad Cities Area

    Dr. Colette Hostetler - Child Abuse Council

    Dr. Dennis and Vicki Palmer - Genesis Philanthropy

    Dr. Eric Dippel - Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation

    Dr. Richard and Judy Kreiter - Vera French Foundation

    George and Doris Straetker - German American Heritage Center

    Heidi and Timothy Hobkirk - Dress for Success Quad Cities

    Heidi Huiskamp Collins - NEST (Nourish Everyone Sustainably Together) and Heart of Hope Ministries

    Hunt and Diane Harris - Figge Art Museum

    Jerry Lyphout - Friendship Manor, Inc.

    Jim Victor (posthumously) - Lourdes Catholic School

    Joan Vogelgesang - Christian Care

    Jodie Shagrin Kavensky - NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative

    Josie Harvey - VTG Association

    Karen Beshears - Spring Forward

    Kathi and Steve Morency - LeClaire Community Library/Friends of the Library and Family Resources

    Kay Sigardson Poor - Humility Homes and Services, Inc.

    Kent Pilcher - SAL Family & Community Services

    Lisa Craig - Trinity Health Foundation

    LuAnn Haydon - Living Proof Exhibit

    Lynn and Dennis Quinn Family - Quad Cities Community Foundation

    Mary Riordan - The Center for Youth and Family Services

    Mike and Jan Peters - Handicapped Development Center

    Msgr. John Hyland - St. Ambrose University

    Our members and visitors for their faithful support of the Family Museum, nominated by the Family Museum

    Our Y members who gave their membership fees as a donation to support families in need. - Two Rivers YMCA

    Pamela Druger - Hand in Hand

    Paul Martin - Women’s Choice Center

    QCHI Board Members - Quad City Health Initiative (QCHI)

    Quad Cities Community Foundation - Fresh Films

    Robert Ontiveros - Black Hawk College Foundation

    Rusty and Doris Unterzuber - River Music Experience

    Sue Lerschen-Cassatt - Alternatives for the Older Adult

    The Howe Foundation - Hoover Presidential Foundation

    The Werner Family - Nahant Marsh Education Center

    Thomas and Karen Kenyon - Humane Society of Scott County

    Tim Baldwin and Pat Sherman - Narratives QC

    Tom Spitzfaden - Quad City Symphony Orchestra

    Tri-City Garden Club - Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House

    Vickie and Don Pruter - Bizz Jazz Society

    Vickie Anne Palmer - Palmer College of Chiropractic

  • Distinguished Service to Philanthropy James and Carol Horstmann

    Outstanding Philanthropist
    Linda Bowers

    Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
    Frank Clark

    Outstanding Planned Giving Professional
    Steve Goebel 

    Outstanding Foundation
    John Deere Foundation

    Outstanding Fundraising Executive
    Kimberly Findlay

  • Outstanding Philanthropist
    Dick Kleine

    Outstanding Philanthropic Family
    Deanna and Rob Woodall

    Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers
    Tom Rowe, Tom Thoms, Jim Millman (Break the Cycle)

    Outstanding Planned Giving Professional
    John Slover

    Outstanding Company/Corporation
    Phil and Jackie Young, Fleet Feet Sports

    Outstanding Fundraising Executive
    Missy Gowey

    Outstanding AFP Chapter Member
    Clare Thompson

 
View ALL Past Winners