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 President's Award is decided by different means).  Learn more about the process and submit here.

Learn about the awards:

Virgil Anderson Lifetime Achievement Award

The prestigious Virgil Anderson Lifetime Achievement 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

2025       Matt Sheffield, CFRE​
2024       David Novak
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

2025       Kendra Hernandez​
2024       Andrew Steele
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
2015       Bethany Krepela
2014       Heather (McGinness) Hill, CNM, CFRE
2013       Mara McClellan
2012       Matthew Leighty
2011       Beth McKinley
2010       Danielle Ward
2009       Jason Gerdes

 

Heart of ACF Award

The Heart of ACF Award is bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the spirit and mission of ACF. This award recognizes someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on their profession and the ACF community, demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership, and service.

Recipients of the Heart of ACF Award are those who, through their unwavering commitment and heartfelt contributions, have inspired others and advanced the cause of Christian philanthropy. They embody ACF's core values, including faith-filled service, rigorous education, and professional collegiality. This award celebrates their remarkable achievements and their role in fostering a culture of generosity and collaboration within ACF.

The Heart of ACF Award is distinct from our other honors. The Jay Bleeke Young Professional Award highlights the potential and achievements of young professionals under the age of 40. The Virgil Anderson Lifetime Achievement Award honors those who have dedicated their careers to Christian fundraising and made significant, long-term contributions. The Heart of ACF Award is our MVP, recognizing someone making a current impact and standing out for their exceptional dedication and service.

Past Heart of ACF Award Winners

2025       Laurie Brill

 

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

2025       Rebecca Bergman​
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

 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

2025       Mary R. Snyder
2024       Jamie Lennon, CFRE
                Heidi Rixman, CFRE ​
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

 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

 

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

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

 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 in Fundraising Award

The Award for Creativity recognizes excellence in inspiring, inventive work and includes a $500 cash prize. 

Past Recipients of the Creativity in Fundraising Award

2024     John Andreasen, Fargo Moorhead Rotary
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

 

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.