Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives

Message from the President 

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2021 Award Winner Profiles

This year’s Nina Abady Award winner, Bobby Thalhimer (pictured above left) brings a broad range of experience to The Monument Group, which he joined in 2015. He served for 16 years as Senior Vice President for Philanthropic Services at the Community Foundation. During his tenure, the Community Foundation grew in asset size from approximately $250M to over $900M at its peak. Prior to joining The Community Foundation, Bobby served for six years as Executive Director of the Science Museum of Virginia Foundation and for one year as Deputy Director for Science Education of the Science Museum of Virginia. During that time, the museum completed a $36 million capital campaign in just three years and grew its endowment from $600,000 to $11 million. He orchestrated the initial capital campaign for the new Danville Science Center, raising $1 million in the local community, and served on the board of the Science Museum of Virginia Foundation, including a term as President. He was also appointed by Gov. Douglas Wilder to the Science Museum of Virginia’s Board of Trustees. He is presently a board member and Co-Chair of the Investment Committee of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation. He also presently serves on The Richmond Forum Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and he co-chairs its Search Committee for the next Executive Director.

Our Rising Star Award winner is Sarah Young (pictured above right), who joined the Peter Paul team in October 2018 and currently serves as Director of Development. Her experience includes running annual giving campaigns, managing a prospect pipeline, developing communications and marketing plans, stewarding donor relationships, and evaluating and monitoring development strategies. Prior to joining Peter Paul, she was the Associate Director of Development at Esperanza Academy, a tuition-free, independent middle school for girls in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In her role, Sarah increased grant revenue 100% and broadened the base of support to the greater Boston region. Prior to that, she worked as a philanthropic consultant at The Boston Foundation, working directly with donors to increase the impact of their philanthropy.

Click here for details on our winners, and make plans to join us as we celebrate their achievements at our Virtual Annual Awards Lunch-In on Tuesday, May 4th.

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Mitchell Wiggins and Company, for their support of this event.

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Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer!

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards. The awards, presented by Governor Northam and the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism, recognize the outstanding efforts of Virginia’s volunteers. The nomination period ends at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, April 23, 2021.  Honors will be presented in the following categories: Adult, Young Adult, Youth, Senior, Family, Faith-Based Organization, Educational Organization, Community Organization, Small Business, and Corporation.

This year’s winners will be honored in September.  For more information or to nominate a person or group, visit VirginiaService.virginia.gov. If you have questions about the Governor’s Volunteerism Awards, contact VirginiaServiceInfo@dss.virginia.gov. Nomination forms must be submitted online and require two letters of support. Information on last year’s winners can be found at http://virginiaservice.virginia.gov/volunteering/governors-volunteerism-awards/.

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