PRINT SHARE COMMENT

Crandall, Chapters Honored for Outstanding Service to AFP

October 22, 2007

(Oct. 22, 2007) Robert J. Crandall, CFRE, was honored as the recipient of the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Leadership to AFP at the recent Leadership Academy, and several chapters received awards for their outstanding work.

Crandall, who currently works as a fundraising consultant in Wabash, Ind., has been an AFP member since 1984. He has served on both the association and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy boards and led the fundraising efforts for the Second and Third Hemispheric Congress on Fundraising–Latin America in Mexico City.

“The first time I went to a meeting of the association board, when we had just formed the South Dakota Chapter, I was lucky enough to run into Paul Strawhecker, who was president of the North Dakota Chapter at the time,” Crandall recalled. “Paul’s chapter had sponsored ours, and he took me and other new chapter leaders under his wing, showed us around and ensured we knew what to expect. That really left an impression on me, and I’ve tried to pass that sort of leadership on to others.”

Foundation and Chapter Efforts

Crandall’s been a huge advocate of the foundation and has overseen fundraising programs at several different chapters. He created an endowment at the foundation in honor of his mentor and role model, Dr. Ernie Wood.

“I met Ernie when I was assigned to the professional advancement division and a subcommittee on mentoring, which was designing a program for the college level,” Crandall said. “I was thrown right into the fire, and I remember asking everyone what I could possibly offer. Ernie looked right at me and said I was exactly what they needed because I could take a fresh look at what they had done and tell them if they were wrong. I’ll always remember that moment, and I was a follower of Ernie’s from then on.”

On the chapter level, Crandall has served as a teacher at numerous programs and presentations, mentored countless fundraisers, developed training modules and helped start local and regional conferences. Not only did he help to form the South Dakota Chapter, but he also has served in a variety of different leadership positions for the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter; the Nebraska Chapter; the California Capitol Chapter; the Illinois, Rockford Area Chapter; the Greater Philadelphia Chapter and the Indiana, Northeast Chapter.

“I’ll always have a special place in my heart for my international work, especially fundraising for the Congress and my relationship with Custodio Pereira, who’s been a great advocate for AFP in Brazil,” Crandall said. “Custodio invited me to be a speaker at a conference in Brazil for fundraising for religious organizations, and that was one of my best AFP moments. I met Custodio at AFP’s conference in San Diego in 2000 and have gotten to know him well since then, which I think speaks to the great value of networking through AFP.”

“AFP has been extremely lucky to count Bob as a member, advocate, champion and friend over the years, and I speak for all of the association leadership in thanking Bob for his contributions to the association,” said Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of AFP. “He’s even made a line of chocolates incorporating our National Philanthropy Day® logo, which just underscores how much he’s done for AFP and the fundraising profession.”

AFP Chapter Honors

AFP also honored chapters for their work in three areas of programming: communications, diversity and public service.

Because chapters were honored for work in 2006, the honors were awarded by metro category. Not all metro categories had an honoree if no nominations were received in that category or if judges decided not to give an honor in that category. Honorees will be featured in eWire and Advancing Philanthropy, as well as other AFP communications.

“We’re very proud to be able to recognize these chapters for their outstanding work as we strongly believe they can serve as models for others,” said Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of AFP. “Congratulations to them all. We so much appreciate everything they’ve done for the fundraising profession in their communities.”

Honorees include:

Founders’ Award for Public Service

The Founders Award for Public Service recognizes chapters for their public service endeavors to the profession and the nonprofit sector that strengthen the capacity of charities and provide innovative solutions to challenges.

Metro II: AFP Pennsylvania, Northwestern Chapter

Metro IV: AFP New Jersey Chapter

Charles R. Stephens Excellence in Diversity Award

The Charles R. Stephens Excellence in Diversity Award, named for AFP’s first African-American chair, recognizes chapters for their leadership, creativity and initiative in building diversity in membership or programming.

Metro III: AFP Michigan, Greater Detroit Chapter

Metro IV: AFP Georgia, Greater Atlanta Chapter

Abel Hanson Award

The Abel Hanson honor recognizes outstanding chapter communications, including materials sent to members, prospective members, foundations and other nonprofit organizations, corporations, legislators and the general public.

Metro I: AFP Idaho Chapter

Metro II: AFP Kentucky, Bluegrass Chapter

Metro III: AFP  Greater Arizona Chapter

Metro IV: AFP Ohio, Greater Cleveland Chapter

Related AFP Resources