National Philanthropy Day 2020

National Philanthropy Day

AFP DC celebrated this year’s National Philanthropy Day digitally. While the format was new, the tradition of celebrating the ability of philanthropy to change the world with a giving heart remains unchanged.

This year we used the remarkable power of professional video to tell and share the inspiring stories of generosity and dedication that make up the pillars of philanthropy in our area.

Philanthropist of the Year
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Fundraiser of the Year
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Rising Star Fundraiser of the Year
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Get your sneak peek of this year’s NPD Awards Video here!

Congratulations to Our Awards Winners

Philanthropist of the Year

Tonia Wellons is the President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the largest public foundation in the Greater Washington region. The Community Foundation's mission is to Build Thriving Communities by galvanizing philanthropy and investing locally to maximize community impact. Our vision is for a more equitable, just, and thriving Greater Washington for all, and especially for those who have been systematically marginalized in our region. Leading an organization with a staff of 30, $335 million in assets under management, and $60 million in annual grants, Tonia oversees the day-to- day business of the organization, serves as chief development officer, and works with the Board of Trustees and staff to determine the strategic priorities of The Community Foundation. Tonia has successfully launched and led programmatic and development efforts for several key initiatives at The Community Foundation, including VoicesDMV, the Resilience Fund, and the Partnership to End Homelessness. She also has purview over all grantmaking, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.

Rising Star Fundraiser of the Year

Tommy Wrenn joined RFF from Public Justice Foundation, where he managed individual major gifts and annual fund giving for over 3 years. He previously worked with the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and The Nexus Fund. Wrenn is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). He is a Board Member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) DC Chapter, where he co-leads the Chapter’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. Tommy currently serves as RFF’s Associate Director of Individual Giving, where he is responsible for developing, building, and executing a multi-year strategy to grow major gift support from individual donors for RFF.

Fundraiser of the Year

Tycely Williams has inspired individuals and institutions to invest more than $92 million dollars in charitable causes. Over the past 23 years, Tycely advanced philanthropy as vice president of development of YWCA USA, as the chief development officer for the American Red Cross National Capital Region, an association director of major gifts for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, a director of development for two health and human services organizations, the artistic director of two community-based dance studios, and the executive director for a nonprofit organization founded by a Fortune 500 company. A cum laude graduate of Wake Forest University, Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication with distinguished departmental honors and a minor in Journalism. Tycely possesses an Executive Masters in Leadership from The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. In her spare time, she chairs the Board of Trustees for Monument Academy Public Charter School and volunteers with numerous youth-serving organizations. A joyful divorcée, Tycely enjoys traveling, crashing charitable fundraising galas, taste testing fried green tomatoes and conversing with values- driven leaders in preparation for her first book.

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