Paving the Way: Fundraiser of the Year

Welcome to NonProfit PRO’s 2017 Nonprofit Professionals of the Year Awards. This entry is for Nonprofit Professional of the Year. To view all of this year’s award winners, click here.

Linda-Adèle Foley
Director of Development
Children’s Institute for Learning Differences

What makes Linda-Adèle Foley fundraiser of the year? She goes beyond the borders of fundraising to a personal approach to each contributor. No matter what, Foley makes everyone feel a part of the change with their giving. She understands that each donor wants to feel their donation or contribution makes a difference. Her accolades include:

- Increased following and donor support of Pat’s Fund, a fund established to increase the understanding and visibility of autoimmune diseases while raising research funds.
- Implemented the first National Youth Prevention Summit, which was sponsored by Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, DHHS.
- Facilitated the Maiden Forum, which was sponsored by the Indian Health Service and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
- Designed regional workshops, which was sponsored by the Administration of Youth and Families and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, DHHS.

“Linda personifies a true professional, with her grace and composure,” Vicky Baxter, CEO of the Renton Chamber of Commerce, said. Linda and I are both members of the Renton Rotary Club. She has far exceeded me in her volunteerism and desire to get involved. Her fundraising abilities are way beyond her employment position with the organization. It is part of her DNA to ask for time, treasure or talent from others, and one never feels pressure to give. It is as natural to answer the call to action because the ‘ask’ is always with humor and gratitude.”

With her strategic planning and business development skills, Foley assists other nonprofits in building community, expanding awareness and donor support. She also organizes workshops and national conferences to help branding and broadening donor bases—all done on her own time and expense.

Runners-Up

Andrew Magnuson
National Director of Digital Fundraising
American Heart Association

Sherry Minton
Director of Direct Response
American Heart Association

While Andrew Magnuson and Sherry Minton come from different fundraising backgrounds, they came together in efforts to dramatically strengthen the American Heart Association’s fundraising impact. They have built a relationship of shared knowledge, insight, trust and drive toward innovation. Their unique collaboration is an inspiration for any fundraiser in the industry because they seek to build integrated, holistic strategies that amplify their organization’s impact on the community.