Association of Fundraising Professionals gives awards on National Philanthropy Day
MITCHELL – In conjunction with National Philanthropy Day, the South Dakota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognize individuals, businesses and communities for their extraordinary work in philanthropy in South Dakota.
The events begin with a two-day conference at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 16-17.
The conference includes speakers from the Midwest who will share their expertise on fundraising, non-profit board recruitment and management, leadership in the nonprofit sector and self-care for volunteers and non-profit organization workers.
The awards given will recognize those who have given time, talent and treasure to improve the lives of other South Dakotans.
Outstanding Philanthropist
Gopal Vyas of Mitchell has been selected as this year’s Outstanding Philanthropist.
Vyas has been an advocate for abused and neglected children and less fortunate families throughout central South Dakota his entire life. He has supported the Abbott House, LifeQuest, the Mitchell Recreation Center, Mitchell United Way, the Catholic Community Foundation, the Mitchell School District Angel Fund and numerous other organizations.
As a member of the Dakota Wesleyan University Board of Trustees, Vyas has been an outspoken advocate of educational opportunity for first generation, low-income students. He was one of the founding members of the Mitchell Technical Institute Foundation and served as the first President of the Foundation.
“Gopal has always been a visionary in our community and this state,” wrote one nominator. “He embodies small town values that show his heart for the people he interacts with, their faith, families and community pride. He is one of those individuals who clearly challenges others to give sacrificially.”
Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation
The Avera Health System lifts organizations and supports services and programs throughout the upper Midwest, making Avera Health the 2017 Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation.
Avera Health’s support focuses on programs, entire organizations and statewide funding, ensuring the dollars given go further and reach more individuals and families.
Supported organizations and projects include Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, ten different Habitat for Humanity affiliates, the Holy Innocents Ministry, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of South Dakota, the Feeding South Dakota Mobile Food Pantry and more.
Avera also supports numerous training programs for young people, including a partnership with Presentation College in Aberdeen and Mount Marty College in Yankton. In addition to financial support, hundreds of Avera employees volunteer for many programs including Junior achievement, the Lutheran Social Services mentoring program, the Banquet in Sioux Falls, Dress for Success, Embe and many other programs.
Philanthropic Volunteer Fundraiser
In the last five years, the 2017 Philanthropic Volunteer Fundraiser, Jennifer Kirby, has used her leadership and organizational skills to lead three very different Sioux Falls Community Appeals campaigns, raising more than $7.2 million — $3.4 million for the Levitt Shell Sioux Falls and $3.8 million for the Huether Family Match Pointe campaign.
Kirby “was a super hero for [the Levitt Shell Sioux Falls] campaign,” one nominator stated. “In essence she was the staff, giving so much of her time to get the organization set up for success. No one has put more effort forth than Jennifer Kirby – guaranteed.”
Kirby chairs the $12.1 million Hope Lodge Community Appeals Campaign. She has makes sure others can experience the same warm hospitality of the home-like environment provided by a Hope Lodge.
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy
The 2017 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award goes to Lilly Gibson. Gibson is passionate about homelessness, particularly homelessness as it impacts young people.
As a Teen Up Ambassador, Gibson has actively served on the Homelessness Coalition Youth Task Force in Rapid City for two years. She developed and leads a number of efforts with her peers to create awareness about, and dispel misperceptions regarding, the issue of homelessness.
Through Teen Up, Gibson has created the formation of the Youth Mental Health Advisory Council to help inform area mental health service providers about issues teens face. Gibson’s leadership has earned her recognition at the National Youth Service Learning Conference and the South Dakota Housing Consortium, and she was named the 2016 Rapid City Youth Volunteer of the Year.
“At Numad, we believe philanthropy is ‘a love of humankind,’” Ted Stephens, owner of the Numad Group, said in his nomination. “That is who Lilly is and how she sees the world. That is why she is an exceptional candidate for this honor.”
Outstanding Philanthropic Community
De Smet, S.D. was named the 2017 Outstanding Philanthropic Community.
The De Smet community, with a population of only 1,086, has raised more than $6.1 million for area projects.
Between 2012 and 2014, De Smet residents raised funds for two separate capital campaigns to improve the quality of life of its residents: the renovation and expansion of the Avera De Smet Memorial Hospital and the construction of the De Smet Event and Wellness Center. Both campaigns exceeded their goals, raising a total of $4.7 million from more than 1,820 donors.
The De Smet community also redesigned and rebuilt the De Smet Athletic Complex, built a veterans memorial on the Court House lawn, constructed a new Welcome Center and created the De Smet Arts Council.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents more than 31,000 members in 235 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. The association fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.
Registration for the conference is open and can be found on the South Dakota AFP website, afp-sd.org, or at https://tinyurl.com/ycv6jdm8.
The event concludes at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17 with the Governor’s Awards Luncheon at the Highland Conference Center.