All nominations are due by 5pm on August 31, 2026.

This award recognizes outstanding individual fundraising professional aged 25-40 (at the time of nomination) who works for a nonprofit or charitable organization and who practices his/her profession in an exemplary manner. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the Greater Louisville / Southern Indiana community through professional fundraising, evidence of quality of leadership in creating change within their organization, being an active member of AFP, commitment to continuing professional development, and commitment to fundraising and philanthropy through volunteer service and financial support of non-profit organizations. The recipient's fundraising efforts and community leadership have motivated others to give and become involved in philanthropy. Eligibility and expectations: The nominee must be living at the time of nomination. The nominee must be between the age of 25 and 40 (at the time of nomination Member of AFP and a member in good standing with the AFP Greater Louisville Chapter. Is currently employed or affiliated with a nonprofit or charitable organization. Exemplifies outstanding professionalism in fundraising practice. Has not previously won the Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award. The recipient is expected to be present to accept the award. 

Past Recipients
Lena Iwu (2019), Andrea Shepherd (2021), Anne Cannon (2022), Amanda Current (2023), Julia Leggett (2024), Charlene Buckles (2025).

Eligibility and Expectations
- The nominee must be between the age of 25 and 40 (at the time of nomination).
- The nominee must be living at the time of nomination.
- Member of AFP and member in good standing with AFP Greater Louisville Chapter.
- Is currently employed or affiliated with a nonprofit or charitable organization.
- Exemplifies outstanding professionalism in fundraising practice.
- Has not previously won the Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award.
- The recipient is expected to be present to accept award.
- Organizations may submit a maximum of three award nominations for National Philanthropy Day. For these purposes "organizaton" is defined by EIN number. Any nominations submitted after the limit of three will be disqualified. AFP and the National Philanthropy Day will disqualify applications based on date and time the nomination was submitted.

Nomination Tips
- Nominations are sent to other AFP Chapters for blind judging so be sure to keep that in mind when explaining your nominee's impact
- All nominations are scored using a judging matrix. Please see below:

Rate nominee according to level of accomplishment (1 - 5). 
1 - Fails to meet expectations
2 - Somewhat meets expectations
3 - Meets expectations
4 - Exceeds expectations
5 - Exceeds expectations exceptionally

 

All nominees will be announced but winners will not be disclosed until National Philanthropy Day. The National Philanthropy Day nominations committee reserves the right to decline to choose a winner.

In order to submit this nomination, please click the SUBMIT button below.  Once submitted, you will not be able to make changes. Thank you for your submission.