Awards

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island is being honored for his advocacy on behalf of the arts. Whitehouse on Tuesday is being given the National Award for Congressional Arts Leadership from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the nonprofit group Americans for the Arts.

Thirteen-year-old Samantha Tracy became the La Grange Memorial Hospital Foundation’s youngest benefactor at 9 when she opened her backyard Samantha’s Sunnyside Café in 2007. Her efforts resulted in proceeds and related contributions of more than $1,400. In 2010, she requested that gifts for her 13th birthday benefit the hospital; nearly $600 in gifts were made in her name.

She was honored March 24 at the Foundation’s President’s Circle event. The Foundation supports Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital through philanthropy.

The Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council (PPGC) is pleased to announce that Scott Keffer is the organization’s 2010 Allied Professional of the Year. This award recognizes professionals who have a commitment to philanthropy and promote philanthropy through their profession.

Keffer is a financial educator, author, speaker and wealth planner. He is the founder of Legacy Planning® and the creator of The Legacy Planning® Process, The Donor Motivation Program™ at http://www.DonorMotivation.com and founder of The Donor Motivation Professionals of North America™.

Safeway Inc. was recognized this week by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) with the organization’s 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation.

The award honors companies that demonstrate outstanding commitment to important causes through financial support and encouragement, as well as the company’s ability to motivate others to take on leadership roles in their communities.

At the 2011 Nonprofit Technology Conference held this past weekend in Washington, D.C., the winners of the 5th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards were announced. The four winning videos came from the Post Carbon Institute, Ronald McDonald House Austin, American Jewish World Service and Watershed Management Group.

The Skoll Foundation announced the 2011 recipients of the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship: Rebecca Onie, Health Leads; Ned Breslin, Water For People; Ellen Moir, New Teacher Center; and Madhav Chavan, Pratham. Skoll Award recipients receive a three-year grant and join the growing global network of now 85 Skoll social entrepreneurs from 70 organizations who are tackling the world’s most pressing problems.

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announced that Handicap International, the largest non-governmental organization providing assistance and advocacy for people with disabilities, will receive the 2011 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million. The Hilton Foundation presents the annual award, the world's largest humanitarian prize, to an organization that is doing extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering. Handicap International was selected for the 2011 Prize by a prestigious independent international jury.

Adrienne Arsht, a long-time supporter of the arts and numerous other charitable causes across the United States, has been selected to receive the 2011 Award for Outstanding Philanthropist, given by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as the organization's top philanthropy honor. Nominated by the University of Miami and the AFP Florida, Miami-Dade Chapter, Ms. Arsht has given millions of dollars to support arts programs, including $30 million to Miami's performing arts center.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is honoring Chicagoan Betty Bergstrom with its Founders' Medallion for her extraordinary contributions to the organization and the fundraising profession.

Bergstrom, a nonprofit management consultant and former marketing professional, has become one of the city's and country's most dedicated advocates for helping others. She has devoted nearly 35 years to fundraising and philanthropic causes.

Today Roger Craver is being inducted into the American Association of Political Consultants Hall of Fame.

Here’s what AAPC has to say about Roger …

David Broder called him “a bomb thrower”… The Wall Street Journal claimed he was the “assassin” of all things right wing.