South Dakota AFP Awards for Philanthropy

2026 AFP Awards for Philanthropy

Submit your nomination today for the 2026 Awards for Philanthropy. The Awards Committee is accepting nominations for the 2026 South Dakota AFP Awards for Philanthropy.

 

All AFP SD members are welcome and encouraged to submit nominations! Nominations will be accepted in six categories:

  • Outstanding Philanthropist
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Community
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation
  • Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
  • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy
  • Outstanding Fundraising Professional

 

The criteria for each category and a nomination form are available here: https://npd.afpvote.org/nominations/SDAFP.

 

Nominations will be accepted through Wednesday, Sept. 23, with winners notified by Friday, Oct. 2nd. Winners will be publicly announced at the 2026 SD Philanthropy Summit an AFP SD State Conference, during the AFP-SD Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 15th. Throughout the month of November, the Awards Committee and AFP SD Board Members will host local awards receptions to celebrate each 2026 Awards in Philanthropy winners in relation to National Philanthropy Day on November 15th. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Hans Nelson, Chair of the Awards Committee, at hanznelson@gmail.com

2025 AFP South Dakota Awards for Philanthropy recipients:

  • Outstanding Philanthropist: Roger & Vicki Musick
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation: Security First Bank – Rapid City
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Community: Gregory, South Dakota
  • Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Steve Gohn
  • Outstanding Fundraising Professional: Dan Cook

Each year, the AFP SD Awards Committee accepts nominations for the South Dakota AFP Awards for Philanthropy. All AFP SD members are welcome and encouraged to submit nominations! Nominations are accepted in six categories:

  • Outstanding Philanthropist — a South Dakota individual, couple, or family with a proven record of exceptional philanthropy.
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Community — a South Dakota community that has successfully achieved a community improvement by encouraging the entire community to work together to raise the necessary funds.
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation — a business operating in South Dakota that has a significant record of exceptional generosity in its community or statewide.
  • Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser — an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in coordinating groups of volunteers for major fund raising projects.
  • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy –– individual ages 10–23 who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy.
  • Outstanding Fundraising Professional –– Honors individuals who have had a significant impact on people through nonprofit organizations because of their outstanding documented accomplishments in fundraising. The nominee must have at least 15 years of professional fundraising experience.