ACF Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy
The ACF Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy recognize those who go above and beyond in answering God's call to serve others - to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with their God. Any ACF member can submit nominations for many of these awards (the two chapter awards and President's Award are decided by different means). Learn more about the process and submit here.
Learn about the awards:
Virgil Anderson Award
The prestigious Virgil Anderson Award is presented to an ACF member (active or retired) who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to an organization in the development field.
Distinguishing qualities of the Virgil Anderson Award recipient include:
- Extraordinary service to the development profession
- Participation in and service to ACF
- Positive influence among peers
- Service to the church and community at-large
Past Virgil Anderson Award Winners
2023 Christine M. Zrinsky
2022 Christine Safranek
2021 Doug Mason
2020 Tom Jolivette
2019 Jane Lottes
2018 Mark L. Hill, CFRE
2017 Hans G. Springer, CFRE
2016 Bonnie O'Neill Meyer, CFRE
2015 David Kahle
2014 Doug Page
2013 Cynthia J. Halverson
2012 J. Ward Pallotta
2011 Michelle Janssen
2010 Ann Sponberg Peterson
2009 Cheryl Grasmoen
2008 Sue Ullsvik
2007 Kathy Hansen
2006 David Coker, CFRE
2005 Richard Maddox |
2004 Brenda Moore
2003 Dennis L. Meyer, CFRE
2002 David Hahn
2001 Eugene L. Meyer, CFRE, FAHP
2000 James A. Jenson
1999 Katherine O. Conrad, CFRE
1998 Keith T. Nelson
1997 Fred A. Bleeke, CFRE
1996 Harvey A. Stegemoeller
1995 Robert A. Peterson
1994 Richard C. Schmidt
1993 Lloyd R. Probasco, CFRE
1992 Lloyd Foerster
1991 Edward G. Bertram
1990 Richard L. Engdahl, CFRE
1989 Donovan J. Palmquist
1988 Arvid E. Bidne
1987 Marlys S. Taege |
Jay Bleeke Young Professional Award
This award honors Jay’s spirit of leadership, networking, welcoming personality, drive for knowledge and enthusiasm for ACF. The Jay Bleeke Young Professional Award is presented to a young ACF member who has taken a leadership role within ACF and has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to an organization within the fundraising and/or public relations fields. The recipient receives a grant of $500 for continued professional development.
Distinguishing qualities of the Jay Bleeke Young Professional Award recipient include:
- An ACF member under 40
- Exemplary participation in ACF: involvement at local and/or international levels
- Inspiration to others regarding greater commitment and involvement
Past Recipients of the Jay Bleeke Young Professional Award
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2023 Elliott Williams, CFRE
2022 Jamie Lennon, CFRE
2021 Ashley Wiehe
2020 Stephanie Wollenburg
2019 Ellen Draeger Cattadoris
2018 Clyde Andrew Walter
2017 Jonathan Schleicher, CFRE
2016 Mike Nevergall, CFRE
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2015 Bethany Krepela
2014 Heather (McGinness) Hill, CNM, CFRE
2013 Mara McClellan
2012 Matthew Leighty
2011 Beth McKinley
2010 Danielle Ward
2009 Jason Gerdes |
Outstanding Executive Award
The Outstanding Executive Award is designed to honor a deserving CEO or president - a top level executive, not a vice president or assistant director - whose exemplary leadership is making an impact in the church and world.
Attributes of the ACF Outstanding Executive are:
- Visionary leadership
- Effectiveness in management and fundraising
- Inspirational leadership of staff and volunteer constituency
- Boldness in proclaiming the importance of Christian stewardship through public speaking or writing
- Commitment to the mission of the church beyond the sphere of his/her organization
Past Recipients of the Outstanding Executive Award
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2023 Mike King
2022 Krish O’Mara Vignarajah
2021 Linda Timmons
2020 Louise Johnson
2019 Tom Ries
2018 Julie Swanson
2017 Beth Nelson Chase, CFRE
2016 Charles Schlimpert
Phyllis Castens Wiederhoeft
2015 Ted W. Goins, Jr.
2014 Steven C. Bahls
2013 Kurt Senske
2012 Chris Andersen
2011 John Stamm
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2010 Brian Friedrich
2009 David Jacox
2008 Alan Harre
2007 Katherine Wolford
2006 Donald Hallberg
2005 William Nolan
2004 Dr. Richard Bimler
2003 Dr. Loren Anderson
2002 Rev. Dr. David Tiede
2001 Bill D. Brittain
2000 James M. Miller, CFRE
1999 Ruth Henrichs
1998 Dr. Paul J. Dovre
1997 JoAnne Heltner |
President's Award
This President's Award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to ACF during the previous year.
Past Recipients of ACF's President's Award
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2023 David Burch
Amy Tran
Alex Budzynski
2022 Bonnie Meyer, CFRE
Jon Nelson
2021 Jon Dize, CFRE
2020 Amy Scholz
2019 Executive Director Search
Committee
2018 Lorraine Dorough
2017 Patricia A. Bilow
2016 Mark Hofman, CFRE
2015 Inga Gerber
2014 Christine M. Zrinsky
2013 Johnnie Driessner
2012 Hans Springer
2011 Mark Maurice
2010 Michael Fischer
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2009 Brenda Solomon
2008 Jane Lottes
2007 Sue Ullsvik
2006 Cheryl Grasmoen
2005 J. Ward Pallotta
2004 Richard Engdahl
2003 ACF's Strategic Planning Task
Force (Kristi Bangert, Chair)
2002 Douglas D. Mason
2001 Kristi S. Bangert
2000 Michelle Janssen, CFRE
1999 David M. Benson
1998 Alan Zacharias, CFRE
1997 Rev. W. Paul Brinkman, CFRE
1996 Brenda J. Moore, CFRE
1994 Nancy S. Donohoe
1993 Michael W. Butterfield, CFRE
1992 Cynthia J. Halverson, CFRE
1991 Eugene L. Meyer, CFRE, FAHP
1990 Ramon L. Wittig |
Outstanding Chapter Leader Award
The Outstanding Chapter Leader Award honors an ACF member for exhibiting extraordinary effort in leading a chapter and providing a model of exemplary chapter leadership.
Attributes of the Outstanding Chapter Leader are:
- Ongoing vision and committed leadership
- Effectiveness in helping a local chapter move ahead in its program and in its benefits for ACF members
- Active chapter member
Past Recipients of the Outstanding Chapter Leader Award
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2021 Gay Gonnerman and Tharan Leopold (Northstar Chapter)
2020 Jen Thomas, CFRE (Heartland Chapter)
2019 Lewis Berkwit (Great Rivers Chapter)
2018 Stephanie Wollenburg (Big East Chapter)
2017 David H. Assmus (Iowa Chapter)
2016 Clyde Walter (Chicago Chapter)
2015 Jon Dize (Indiana-Michigan Chapter)
2014 Kristen Egan, CFRE (Chicago Chapter)
2013 Jon Dize (Indiana-Michigan Chapter)
2012 Bethany Krepela (Northstar Chapter)
2011 Karen Pease (Ohio Chapter)
2010 Kristi Puchbauer (Canada Chapter)
2009 Lori Land (Wisconsin Chapter)
2008 Maxine Dougherty (Heartland Chapter)
2007 Marion Heinz, CFRE (Wisconsin Chapter)
2006 Dan C. Johnson, CFRE (Indiana-Michigan Chapter)
2005 Jane Lottes (Big East Chapter)
2004 Michael Fischer, CFRE (Southwest Chapter)
2003 Marcie Lynn Rogers (Chicago Chapter)
2002 David C. Coker, CFRE (Heartland Chapter)
2001 Rev. Richard Rouse (Evergreen Chapter)
2000 Robert C. Peper (Southwest Chapter)
1999 Mark Hill, CFRE (Minnesota Chapter)
1998 Thomas M. Buck (Wisconsin Chapter)
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Chapter of the Year Award
The Outstanding Chapter of the Year puts forth the effort to offer educational events; promote professionalism and collegiality; promote ethical standards; identify and attract new members and retain current members.
Past Recipients of ACF's Chapter of the Year Award
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2023 Blue Ridge Chapter
2022 Wisconsin Chapter
2021 Northstar Chapter
2020 Heartland Chapter
2019 Great Rivers Chapter
2018 Canada Chapter
2017 Lone Star Chapter
2016 Chicago Chapter
2015 Great Rivers Chapter
2014 Iowa Chapter
2013 Northstar Chapter
2012 Iowa Chapter
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2011 Wisconsin Chapter
2010 Chicago Chapter
2009 Indiana-Michigan Chapter
2008 Heartland Chapter
2007 Lone Star Chapter
2006 Wisconsin Chapter
2005 Northstar Chapter
2004 Heartland Chapter
2003 Evergreen Chapter
2002 Heartland Chapter
2001 Southwest Chapter
2000 St. Louis Chapter
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Spirit of Giving Award
The Spirit of Giving Award recognizes an individual or family who exemplifies generous contribution of service, time and support that inspires others to greater commitment and involvement. Any individual or family involved with an ACF organization is eligible for nomination for this award.
Past Recipients of the ACF International Spirit of Giving Award
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2023 Rev. Mary and Wade Finklea
2022 Rev. Dr. Harvey and Carol Lange
2021 Mark and Georgia Ulmschneider
2020 Karl and Shirley Kreft
2019 O. Jay and Pat Tomson
2018 Larry Neeb
2017 Shirley Splittgerber
2016 Bob and Sue Dettmer
2015 C. G. “Kelly” and Virginia Holthus
2014 Richard and Melba Reichard
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2013 Joy Nelson
2012 Ruth and Lloyd Probasco
2011 Dale and Jolita Benson
2010 Gloria and Ross Edwards
2009 Harold Hamilton
2008 Bill and Dee Nord
2007 Doris and Jay Christopher
2006 Clifford Johnson
2005 Rupert Dunklau
2004 Reuben and Darlene Swanson |
Creativity Award
The Award for Creativity recognizes excellence in inspiring, inventive work and includes a $500 cash prize.
Past Recipients of the Creativity Award
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2023 Heidi Rixman, Lutheran Services Carolinas
2022 Jeri Pat Gabbert, CFRE, Indiana University Northwest
2021 Aaron Cooper, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
2020 David Burch, Volunteers of America
2019 InFaith Community Foundation
St. Marcus Lutheran School and Church
2018 Gustavus Adolphus College - Give To Gustavus Day Team
2017 Heather (McGinness) Hill, CNM, CFRE - Concordia College - New York
2016 ELCA World Hunger
2015 St. Marcus Lutheran School
2014 Lutheran Social Services of New York
2013 Jon Dize
2012 Amy Jurgens
2011 Brenda Solomon
2010 Linda Maxon
2009 Carole Todd - Lutheran Family Services of Virginia
2008 Raising Dough (Peggy Forni, Gail Keegan, Ward Pallotta, Greg Wiechert)
2008 1st Runner Up Concordia Nebraska & Meyer Partners
2008 Mike Ward
2007 Lori Land
2006 Richard Duncan
2005 Darlene Breon
2004 Chris Andersen
2003 Maxine Dougherty
2002 Linda K. Maxon
2001 Darlene Breon
2000 Paul Olson
1999 Kim A. Rudat, APR
1998 Raymond J. Cauwet
1997 Marilyn A. Schultz
1996 Martha A. Taylor
1995 Dan Giblin, Tonia Stoffregen
1994 Brenda (Sprague) Solomon
1993 David J. Berg
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Any ACF member can submit nominations for many of these awards (the two chapter awards and President's Award are decided by different means). Learn more about the process and submit here.
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