ANA Nonprofit Federation Awards

The ANA Nonprofit Federation recognizes outstanding achievement in the nonprofit sector with three annual awards.

Presented annually at the ANA Nonprofit Federation Summer Conference, the Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award recognizes organizational excellence in fundraising and marketing.

Presented annually at the ANA Nonprofit Federation Winter Conference, the Max Hart Achievement Award, named for DAV’s legendary national director of fundraising, recognizes lifetime achievement.

Also presented annually at the Winter Conference, the Rising Leader Award recognizes a young professional making strides and shaping the future of fundraising and nonprofit marketing.

Nominations for these awards are reviewed by the Federation’s Awards Committee and selections are presented to the ANA Nonprofit Federation Advisory Council for final approval.

The Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award, presented annually at the Chicago Nonprofit Conference, recognizes outstanding accomplishments by a nonprofit organization using data-driven marketing to advance its mission. The recipient is determined based on the following criteria:

Sustained achievement in fundraising through data-driven marketing and consistently successful financial performance.
Recognized leadership with a reputation for excellence within the nonprofit and data-driven marketing communities, as well as with the public at large.
High ethical standards and compliance with generally accepted standards for management and public disclosure.

Fill out this form to submit your nomination

Nominate your choice by June 4, 2021

2020 — Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry
2019 — Feeding America
2018 — AARP/AARP Foundation
2017 — National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)
2016 — Paralyzed Veterans of America
2015 — Food For The Poor
2014 — Alzheimer's Association

2013 — City Harvest
2012 — The Nature Conservancy
2011 — Human Rights Campaign
2010 — Heifer International
2009 — ASPCA
2008 — Operation Smile
2007 — Doctors Without Borders<
2006 — American Diabetes Association
2005 — CARE

2004 — Mothers Against Drunk Driving
2003 — Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
2002 — Easterseals
2001 — Special Olympics
2000 — Catholic Relief Services
1999 — Christian Appalachian Project
1998 — World Vision
1997 — American Heart Association

1996 — Disabled American Veterans
1995 — March of Dimes
1994 — Habitat for Humanity
1993 — St. Jude Children's Hospital
1992 — Salvation Army
1991 — Father Flanagan's Boys Town
1990 — American Red Cross
1989 — Christian Children's Fund
1988 — Covenant House

“We are proud of the work we do here at Feeding America to help millions of our neighbors struggling with hunger across the United States. It is a true honor to have our direct marketing program performance and contributions to the nonprofit sector recognized by peers from the ANA Nonprofit Federation.”

-Elizabeth Nielsen, SVP, Digital & Direct Marketing, Feeding America

The Max Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award, presented annually at the Washington Nonprofit Conference, recognizes outstanding career accomplishments by a fundraising professional. The recipient is determined based on the following criteria:

is a professional fundraiser with either a nonprofit organization or a service provider.
is a respected authority on fundraising practices.
has demonstrated achievement, innovation, and leadership in the marketing community throughout his or her career.
serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others by exemplifying the highest standards in his or her work.
is committed to the professional development of others through shared knowledge and mentorship.

Fill out this form to submit your nomination

Nominate your choice by November 12, 2021

Max Hart Award Past Winners

2020 — Phil Wiland, Wiland
2019 — Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor
2018 — Tom Harrison, Russ Reid
2017 — Susan Loth, DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
2016 — Joan Wheatley, Special Olympics
2015 — Geoffrey W. Peters, Moore DM Group
2014 — Sherry Minton, American Heart Association
2013 — Lynn Edmonds, LW Robbins

2012 — Charles L. “Chuck” Longfield, Blackbaud
2011 — Carol Portale, March of Dimes
2010 — Kory Christianson, St. Joseph’s Indian School
2009 — Mal Warwick, Mal Warwick Associates
2008 — Kelly Browning, American Institute for Cancer Research
2007 — Larry May, Direct Media/May Development Services
2006 — Christopher Cleghorn, Easterseals
2005 — Raymond Grace, Creative Direct Response

2004 — Morris Dees, Southern Poverty Law Center
2003 — Roger Courts, Sacred Heart League
2002 — Roger Craver, Craver, Matthews & Smith
2001 — William Begley, Christian Appalachian Project
2000 — Claude H. Grizzard, Grizzard
1999 — Phyllis Freedman, SmartGiving
1998 - No award given
1997 — Max L. Hart, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

1996 — Kay Lautman, Lautman Maska Neill & Company
1995 — Jerry Huntsinger, Huntsinger & Jeffer
1994 — Russ Reid, Russ Reid Company
1993 — Carol Enters, Carol Enters List Company (CELCO)
1992 — John Groman, Epsilon
1991 — Don Kuhn
1990 — Francis S. “Andy” Andrews, American Fund Raising Services

"Max Hart is an iconic symbol of good: family, country, people, the nonprofit community, and dedication to helping others. For me, receiving the award that bears his name was a high honor that recognizes not just me but also the hundreds of people who help me serve charities all across America, so that they can do even more to help people all around the world. We are grateful for the award, but even more grateful for the opportunity to serve."

-Phil Wiland, 2020 Max Hart Achievement Award winner

The ANA Nonprofit Federation Rising Leader Award is presented annually at the Washington Nonprofit Conference. Young professionals are a vital asset to our nonprofit community and it is important to recognize those that are making great strides in shaping the future. Similar to the Max Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award, the recipient is determined based on the following criteria:

is a professional fundraiser with either a nonprofit organization or a service provider.
is a respected authority on fundraising practices.
has demonstrated achievement, innovation, and leadership or the potential for leadership in the fundraising and marketing community.
serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others by exemplifying the highest standards in his or her work.

Fill out this form to submit your nomination

Nominate your choice by November 12, 2021

Rising Leader Award Past Winners

2020 — Erica Best, Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry
2019 — Adrian White Slagle, One & All
2018 — Shira Mitchell, Special Olympics
2017 — Eliza Slone, MKDM