MAITLAND, Fla. (February 1, 2022) – The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) has announced the names of 40 Golden Pear Award recipients as part of its expanded support for qualified nonprofit organizations throughout the nation. Over 2,100 organizations applied for these special grants due to the adverse impact of the pandemic on their fundraising abilities. This is the third time AmFund has provided unrestricted funding to organizations over and above their signature fundraising programs.

 

“Each organization effectively demonstrated their need, and as a nonprofit ourselves, it was a very difficult decision to choose some organizations over others”, said Deborah Marshall, Chief Operating Officer of the American Fundraising Foundation. “We are grateful to the nonprofit community for continuing to make life better for all of us through their varied missions. 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.”

 

This year’s Golden Pear Award recipients, receiving unrestricted grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 are:

 

We Can Ride – Maple Plain, Minnesota

Lunch Box of Love – Arlington, Texas

House2Home – Nashville, Tennessee

Opera Orlando – Orlando, Florida

Food Bank of North Central Arkansas – Mountain Home, Arkansas

Holy Cross Health Foundation – Silver Spring, Maryland

Higher Ground Sun Valley – Ketchum, Idaho

Friendly Senior Living – Rochester, New York

Emerald School of Excellence – Charlotte, North Carolina

Fenton Center of Hope – Fenton, Michigan

Kiwanis Club of Beckley – Beckley, West Virginia

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado – Durango, Colorado

Books for Kids – New York, New York

Luke’s Wings – Washington, DC

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless – Minneapolis, Minnesota

New Jersey Highlands Coalition – Boonton, New Jersey

Best Buddies International – Miami, Florida

Montana Food Bank Network – Missoula, Montana

Helping Hands Humane Society – Topeka, Kansas

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) – Bloomington, Minnesota

Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix, Arizona

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas – Grand Prairie, Texas

Humane Society of Austin and Tavis County – Austin, Texas

Warrior Meditation Foundation – Columbus, Ohio

Parent Heart Watch – Wilmington, Delaware

Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation – West Haverstraw, New York

Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children – Paterson, New Jersey

The National Mississippi River Museum – Dubuque, Iowa

Hearts for Hearing Foundation – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

New Pathways for Youth – Phoenix, Arizona

The Painted Turtle- Santa Monica, California

Venice Family Clinic – Venice, California

Northeast Animal Shelter - Salem, Massachusetts

Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition – Wilmington, Delaware

Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Illinois Center for Autism – Fairview Heights, Illinois

The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association – Massachusetts

Fairy Godmother Project – Fredericksburg, Virginia

Special in Uniform – New York, New York

Xcel Strategies – Palm Beach, Florida and Savannah, Georgia

 

“We congratulate the recipients of this year’s awards and are grateful for all the organizations who applied. Their stories are heartwarming and compelling. I cannot imagine life without the valuable services they provide. We will continue to work with each applicant to provide additional funding through our signature sponsorship of events,” said Marshall.

 

AmFund routinely supports hundreds of nonprofits through sponsorship of events; however, with the necessity of postponing and cancelling events, the landscape for fundraising has rapidly changed. As a result, AmFund continues to introduce new fundraising opportunities. Last year AmFund introduced its VIP Virtual Silent Auction and a new electronic platform uniquely designed for organizations chosen to be supported by AmFund.

 

The American Fundraising Foundation, a GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)3 nonprofit, has donated over 42 million dollars to other service-providing nonprofits over the course of the past 22 years. It was also recognized as 2020 Fundraiser of the Year by Nonprofit PRO.

 

To apply for AmFund’s additional funding opportunities call 407-895-8000 or send an email to Info@AmFund.org

 

Media Contact:

Deborah Marshall

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

dmarshall@amfund.org

(407) 895-8000

 

About the American Fundraising Foundation

Each year, the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) carefully chooses organizations to support through sponsorship of events, unrestricted grant distribution, virtual silent auctions, and other programs to raise much-needed unrestricted funds for the important mission of those organizations.

 

AmFund was recognized in 2020 by Nonprofit PRO as Fundraiser of the Year. It is also recognized with the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and since 1999 has distributed more than $42 million for worthy causes. Its signature silent auctions featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences, that are good for three years with no blackout dates, are presented at organizations’ special events - drawing admiration, praise and excitement as the entire process elevates the event in the eyes of patrons, board members and the community.

 

Leveraging more than two decades of fundraising experience, AmFund also provides expert training on a wide variety of topics and offers subject matter expertise through its Speaker’s Bureau for groups ranging in size from 12 to 1200.

 

For more information, visit www.amfund.org or call (407) 895-8000. Read AmFund’s blog at www.amfund.org/blog and connect on Facebook, and LinkedIn.