Association of Fundraising Professionals' National Philanthropy Day Honors Local San Diegans

Six individuals and two organizations were honored with awards for outstanding philanthropic efforts in San Diego at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter’s 53rd annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista.

“San Diego’s philanthropists, grantmakers, nonprofits, and volunteers show up every day—through collaboration, creativity, and determination—to meet our community’s biggest challenges, and National Philanthropy Day is a chance to recognize that leadership,” said Mark Stuart, CFRE, Honorary Committee Chair for AFP San Diego and CEO of San Diego Foundation. “This year’s honorees represent what’s best about San Diego: a shared commitment to strengthening our region.”

In total, AFP San Diego presented seven honors to six individuals and two organizations. Winners were selected from almost one hundred nominees from across San Diego County after review from AFP San Diego’s Honorary Committee. The honorees are (full bios of each honoree can be found at the bottom of this release):

• Outstanding Development Emerging Leader – Taylor Thompson, Director of Development and Communications for the California Environmental Justice Alliance
• Outstanding Development Professional – Sharyn Goodson, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego
• Outstanding Organization for Diversity & Inclusion – Accessity
• Outstanding Philanthropic Institution – Life Science Cares San Diego
• Outstanding Philanthropists – Dan & Phyllis Epstein
• Outstanding Student Volunteer – Camden Hall
• Outstanding Volunteer – Mateo Magaña

National Philanthropy Day Gives Boost to AFP San Diego’s Empower Fund

Every year, AFP chapters across the country host National Philanthropy events to spotlight the individuals and organizations improving their communities through philanthropic initiatives. AFP San Diego’s National Philanthropy Day not only honored local philanthropists but also raised funds for the Empower Fund, which provides scholarships, education opportunities, and seminars to support the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

“We launched the Empower Fund in 2025 to ensure the San Diego community has a pipeline of qualified, passionate, and innovative non-profit leaders who continue to impact the community through their work,” says Ingrid de Llamas, AFP San Diego Chapter President. “The Empower Fund allows AFP San Diego to expand scholarship offerings to fundraising professionals at all levels, provides funding for engaging and relevant professional development and education programs, and increases our outreach efforts to smaller non-profits, particularly those in underserved areas that may not have budgets that allow for participation in our programs.”

This year, the AFP San Diego raised $28,000 for the Empower Fund thanks to National Philanthropy Day. The funds will go directly to educational initiatives, ensuring each dollar stays in the community and supports young nonprofit professionals. Donations to the Empower Fund are open year-round.

AFP San Diego’s 53rd Annual National Philanthropy Day was made possible by our generous sponsors:

• Presenting sponsor:
• PNC Bank
• Community Champion sponsors:
• Conrad Prebys Foundation
• San Diego Business Journal
• U.S. Bank
• Community Leader sponsors:
• Fundraising Academy & National University
• Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego
• KPBS
• San Diego Foundation
• Community Partner sponsors:
• California State University, San Marcos
• Forever Balboa Park
• Leichtag Foundation
• Manpower
• Rady Children's Hospital Foundation
• San Diego Magazine
• SDG&E
• Sycuan
• University of San Diego
• Community Supporter sponsors:
• Alliant Educational Foundation
• Bernstein Private Wealth Management
• Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties
• Chicano Federation
• Curebound
• Dr. Bronner's
• Episcopal Community Services
• Floros & Associates
• Hillel of San Diego
• Home Start Inc.
• Ingrid D. de Llamas Charitable Fund
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego
• JPMorgan Chase
• Kaiser Permanente San Diego
• Life Science Cares San Diego
• Meals on Wheels San Diego
• North County Philanthropy Council
• Phoenix Philanthropy Group
• Point Loma Nazarene University
• Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
• San Diego Humane Society
• San Diego Seniors Community Foundation
• San Diego State University
• Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
• Sharyn & Gary Goodson
• TCWGlobal
• The Elizabeth Hospice
• The Nonprofit Institute at USD
• Tim Rupe & Mark Stuart
• UC San Diego
• Your Part-Time Controller
• Community Patron sponsors:
• Alaska Airlines
• Banc of California
• Community Resource Center
• Downtown San Diego Partnership
• ElderHelp
• Family Health Centers of San Diego
• Good for Others Foundation
• Interfaith Community Services
• International Community Foundation
• Jewish Federation of San Diego
• Kitchens for Good
• Lucky Duck Foundation
• MiraCosta College
• National Conflict Resolution Center
• Pana Hap
• San Diego Library Foundation
• Sharp HealthCare Foundation
• The Philanthropy Coach
• Union of Pan Asian Communities

ABOUT AFP SAN DIEGO CHAPTER
The San Diego Chapter of AFP, chartered in 1974, is part of a vital national organization of over 30,000 fundraising professionals. The San Diego Chapter is one of 230 chapters around the world. Current membership in our San Diego Chapter has grown to 400 members in development and related fields, who represent organizations located in San Diego and Imperial Counties. The primary purpose of the San Diego Chapter is to educate and advance the careers of those in the rapidly changing field of development. The Chapter promotes ethical standards, provides a network for members, lists local, regional, and national employment opportunities, and offers a pool for consultant services. Learn more at AFP San Diego’s website.