About
AmFund's Golden Pear Story
The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization with a Platinum rating from Guide Star.
It has been serving other nonprofit organizations for over 20 years
and has donated over $38 million for worthy causes.
Each year AmFund’s Board of Directors carefully selects organizations to support through sponsorship of their events.
The Golden Pear, prominently part of AmFund's new 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.
And behind every golden pear is a great story. It may be the story of a child receiving special literacy assistance, or a woman finding shelter from an abusive relationship or an animal being rescued.
Every time AmFund helps an organization it is helping others. Each person has a “golden pear story” to share. That’s AmFund… The nonprofit with the golden pear.

How It All Began...
AmFund's Founders, Barbara and Wade West worked as news anchors and reporters for over 30 years. Throughout their award-winning careers, they were frequently asked to emcee charity events to raise money for worthy missions.
Having attended these fundraising events, they noticed that worthy nonprofits were leaving money on the table by not making the most of their captive donor audience.
Growing tired of focusing on crime, crisis and corruption, they knew there was something better. Using their experience and knowledge, they made it their life mission to form the 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising organization, the American Fundraising Foundation now known as AmFund.
Using our 20 years of experience in fundraising special events, open asks, silent and live auctions, AmFund partners with 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the United States to help them meet their fundraising goals, one community at a time.




Since 1999, AmFund has donated over 38 million dollars of unrestricted funds to local and national nonprofits. At no cost to our nonprofit partners, we have helped hundreds of charities, hospitals, animal shelters, hospices, food banks, schools, and community organizations at thousands of events. We really do help to “Fund Your Cause”.
Executive Team
Development Team
Monica Sakurai - Director of Marketing & Senior Development Director
Kalley Dunn - Director of Strategic Initiatives & Senior Development Director
Deborah Roberts - Senior Development Director
Barbara Elyea - Senior Development Director
Wendi Humble - Senior Development Director
Joelle Toth-Dyer - Development Director
Matthew Self - Development Director
Chloe Hoffman - Development Assistant
Travel Team
Diane Rice - Director of Travel
Lisa Walls - Travel Information Supervisor
Luis Rodriguez - Travel Information Specialist
Vladimir Torchon - Travel Information Specialist
Jessica Giles - Travel Specialist
Doug McEachern - Travel Insurance Manager & Travel Specialist
Steven Akers - Travel Specialist
Millie Gomez - Travel Specialist

Operations Team
Morgan Lewandowski - Director of Operations
Jennifer Miller - Director of Donor Relations
Laura McCarthy - Director of Finance
Chelsea Longacre - Director of Production
Kent Jordan - AmFund VIP Auction Engineer
Cindy McGrath - Special Events Coordinator