virginia association of fund raising executives

Nina Abady Award

VAFRE’s Nina Abady Award

The Nina Abady Award, given each year by the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE), recognizes a Virginia fund-raiser and VAFRE member who has demonstrated utmost excellence in the field of fund development. The award is named after Ms. Nina F. Abady, one of the founding members of VAFRE. Since 1991, seventeen consecutive Virginia fundraising stalwarts have received the honor.

History

In 1991, the Nina Abady Award was first given to Mr. Jerry Quigg who, along with Ms. Abady and a handful of young fundraisers, founded VAFRE in 1980. The list of distinguished award winners who followed comprises a virtual who’s-who of Virginia’s fundraisers:

Delores Smith (2008)
Michelle Thomson (2007)
Lee Switz (2006)
Jane V. Helfrich (2005)
Edward G. Kardos (2004)
Kathleen Burke Barrett (2003)
Peter Wyeth (2002)
Judy Lankford (2001)
Ned Moore (2000)
Michael Dowdy (1999)
Mary Ellen Stumpf (1998)
George M. Peters (1997)
Marlin E. Balsbaugh, Jr. (1996)
D. Chris Withers (1995)
Alex Smith (1994)
Lucy Boswell Negus (1993)
Cheryl Gonzales Yancey (1992)
H. Gerald Quigg (1991)

Award winners are selected from a competitive field of finalists who were nominated by VAFRE members, area fund-raisers, and board members. The selection committee, chaired each year by the previous year’s winner, convenes each year to review nominations and select the winner.

Criterion for Nina Abady Award

• Nominee has shown outstanding professional and ethical service to the field of development.
• Nominee has made a positive impact on his/her affiliated organization
• Nominee has shown innovation in planning and implementing a successful fund raising strategy or project (campaign).
• Nominee has demonstrated leadership abilities among his/her constituents.
• Nominee makes himself/herself available as a mentor in the field of development.

Guidelines

• Any member of the development field, including board members or other volunteers involved with a nonprofit organization, may make nominations.
• Letters of support are accepted and encouraged.
• Nominators can make as many nominations as they wish.
• Individuals may nominate themselves.
• Nominees must be a member of VAFRE. Membership may be verified in the on-line directory. 
• Nominees may not serve on the selection committee.

Nomination Process

• Nominations should be made in writing using the standard nomination form.
• Nominations should speak to the above criterion as well as other career highlights and areas of outstanding service by the nominee.
• Letters of support will be accepted by e-mail (no more than 3 letters of support will be accepted).

2008 Nominations should be sent to the VAFRE Offices by e-mail, vafre@catapult-inc.com  

Questions

VAFRE Board contact is: Ruth Modlin Ellett, CFRE, Principal, Modlin Ellett Associates804-323-0709, modlinellett@comcast.net DEADLINE FOR 2008 NOMINATIONS IS FEBRUARY 19, 2008