Golden Pear Grant Program
2024 Grant Cycle Announcement
AmFund Announces Golden Pear Grant Opportunities Applications will be Accepted Beginning Tuesday, June 4th
Thank you for your interest in submitting a 2024 unrestricted Golden Pear Grant application through The American Fundraising Foundation.
Our application will open June 4th at 10:00am ET. Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive notification about this application period and future funding opportunities.
MAITLAND, Fla. (February 27th, 2024) – The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) announced it will begin accepting applications for its much-anticipated 2024 Golden Pear Grant Program beginning Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. When awarded, these grants will provide unrestricted funds to help support nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. Once the application site opens, organizations can complete and submit a simple form online at www.AmFund.org/giving. This is the first step to qualify for a Golden Pear Grant. The submission deadline is 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, July 16th, 2024.
AmFund’s Golden Pear Grant program originated amid the COVID-19 pandemic when nonprofit organizations struggled to meet their fundraising goals. Since 2020, AmFund has awarded over $500,000 in grants and more than $12 million in unrestricted donations to nonprofit organizations through its signature programs.
“Our Golden Pear Grants have become another hallmark of AmFund - funding the cause of so many worthy nonprofits,” said Deborah Marshall, COO of the American Fundraising Foundation. “AmFund has been and will continue to be a trusted advisor to organizations as we provide educational seminars, media training, a speaker’s bureau, and much-needed unrestricted funds for all the exceptional work being done by nonprofits devoted to saving and enhancing lives and communities every day.”
Applying for an unrestricted Golden Pear Grant is much simpler than a standard grant application. “It is our desire to ensure organizations are able to complete the application process in less than two hours, thus reducing precious staff time from the very outset," observed Marshall. “Grants will range between $1,000 and $25,000 and are unrestricted."
“The American Fundraising Foundation was founded in 1999. This year happens to be our 25th Anniversary; it is fitting that this will be a very special cycle in honor of our Founders, Wade, and Barbara West – two individuals who recognized the essential daily impact of nonprofit organizations on communities.”
Each year, the number of applicants has increased for these prestigious grants, and the AmFund Board continues to set aside funds for each cycle as well as increasing the number of organizations selected for AmFund’s other fundraising programs – all at no cost to the nonprofits.
About the American Fundraising Foundation
Each year, the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) carefully chooses organizations to support through sponsorship of events, annual grant distribution, assisted silent auctions, live and virtual auctions, and other programs to raise much-needed unrestricted funds for the important mission of those organizations. AmFund currently partners with nearly 700 organizations in support of their funding needs.
The national headquarters of AmFund is located in Maitland, Florida, and is host to many organizations’ planning meetings. Its Educational Foundation is a Federally recognized 501(c)3 and provides professional training for Development Directors, Executive Directors, Board Members, and others leveraging more than three decades of fundraising experience. It offers expertise in a wide variety of topics for groups ranging in size from 12 to 1000.
Since its inception in 1999, the AmFund has distributed more than $57 million for worthy causes. Its signature silent auctions featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences are presented at organizations’ special events, whether in person, virtual, or hybrid events, drawing admiration, praise, and excitement as the entire process elevates the event in the eyes of patrons, board members, and the community.
Additionally, AmFund donates unrestricted funds known as Golden Pear Grants through an open application process.
The Golden Pear, prominently part of AmFund’s logo, is deeply rooted in history as well as in its mission. Throughout history, even before the written word, the pear has been honored as a sacred fruit signifying wisdom, prosperity, good health, longevity, and future happiness – all the things Amfund seeks for its nonprofit partners.
MAITLAND, Fla. (October 26, 2022) – The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) announced recipients of the 2022 Golden Pear Grants during a live stream on Facebook yesterday in a record breaking $250,000 distribution of funds and an additional $100K in-kind donations through its Educational Foundation.
“It is an honor to be able to support so many organizations through this special program,” said Deborah Marshall, Chief Operating Officer. “With over 2500 applicants the decisions were not easy, because each organization is deserving. Awards were given to 57 nonprofit organizations that represent small to medium organizations and some larger organizations with a national footprint. The grants range in amounts from $1,000 to $25,000 each representing a broad range of services.”
This year’s recipients are:
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
Nashville Ballet
Holocaust Memorial Resources & Education Center of Florida
My Very Own Blanket
Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana
City Harvest
Best Friends Animal Society
National Runaway Safeline
Ecology Project International
Folds of Honor Foundation
Double H – Hole in the Woods Ranch
Idaho Zoological Society
The Christian Sharing Center
NPH Friends of Orphans
Kids Matter International
Special In Uniform
Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development
Army Distaff Foundation
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Boca West Children’s Foundation
United Arts of Central Florida
Live the Life South Florida
Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House
National Mill Dog Rescue
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Huntington
Oklahoma Family Center for Autism
Big Brothers Big Sisters Fayetteville, AR
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Global Lyme Alliance
Nine Line Veteran Services
Sepsis Alliance
Rescue Us
Operation Comfort
California Wildlife Center
Bountifield International
Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding & Respite
Junior League of Pensacola
Low Country Food Bank
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
Children of Shelters
Heart of Georgia Hospice
Friends of Karen
Atlanta Mission
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation
Latisha’s House Foundation
Freedom Waters Foundation
To By For Kids Foundation
In addition, the following non-profits received monetary grants as well as in-kind donations of professional consultation for organizational improvements and fundraising tips, along with a onetime use of AmFund’s VIP Virtual Auction Platform:
RECH Foundation
BetterALife
Mental Health Association of the Heartland
Hospice Care Plus
An Angel’s Wing
Running 4 Heroes
Friends of the Desert Mountains
Wesley Chapel Mission Center
Each recipient will receive personal notification, a press kit, big check presentation and feature stories on AmFund’s podcast, newsletters and social media sites.
“This has been a challenging year for many nonprofit organizations, and it is our honor to support them through our unrestricted Golden Pear Grants and the other programs offered by AmFund,” Marshall said. “Today marks another milestone for our organization and we are honored to share it with those that do so much in our communities. The Golden Pear is part of our logo and symbolizes good health, prosperity, longevity, and future happiness – all the things we hope for these worthy organizations.”
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