Left to Right: Mary Pat Alcus (2023 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year) and Tonia Wellons (President/CEO) at the Celebration of Giving.
The Community Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year Award!
The Philanthropist of the Year will be recognized at the 2024 Celebration of Giving later this fall. Read on for more information!
Nomination guidelines
Purpose: To honor an individual who has made a positive impact in our community through giving, and whose philanthropic leadership sets an inspiring example for us all.
Nomination Process
Complete the official nomination form and submit a letter (2 pages max) explaining why your nominee should be selected as the Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year.
Please note: the cover form must be completed in its entirety. The 2-page letter must convey that the nominee meets all the eligibility criteria. Nominators are welcome to submit attachments that will help convey the impact of the nominee’s giving and philanthropic leadership. However, the Awards Committee will not accept nominations which rely solely on resumes, newspaper articles, annual reports, or the like in substitution for concise responses to the criteria outlined above.
When feasible, nominators are welcome to team up with other organizations to submit a joint nomination that will more fully articulate the nominee’s philanthropic leadership and impact.
Pending review by the Philanthropist of the Year Selection Committee, The Community Foundation staff may contact you for additional information.
For inspiration, look no further than our past Philanthropist of the Year honorees.
Eligibility Criteria:
All nominees must:
Be a resident of Montgomery County
Have a demonstrated track record of charitable giving to one or more nonprofit organizations based in and working in Montgomery County*
Have made a positive impact in the lives of county residents through their giving*
Encourage/motivate others to become philanthropic
Please Note: We encourage nominators to give special emphasis to any extraordinary giving and/or leadership over the past few years which helped your organization adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or advance work related to racial equity and inclusion. Please know, the level of charitable dollars given is secondary to its impact and potential to inspire others to follow suit. Creative approaches to philanthropy are welcome! Nominees may be of any age.
In exceptional circumstances, the Selection Committee may consider a former resident, a family unit, or a philanthropist who is deceased.
DEADLINE: THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024
The nomination form, letter, and any additional attachments must be submitted via email with subject line “Philanthropist of the Year 2024 – Name of Nominee” by close of business on Thursday, March 7, 2024 to:
Olivia Hsu
Development Associate, Montgomery County
ohsu@thecommunityfoundation.org
All nominators will receive confirmation that the nomination has been submitted within 24 hours of receipt. The Community Foundation in Montgomery County will contact the selected awardee(s) and their nominator by June. All other nominations will remain confidential.
Questions: Contact Olivia Hsu at ohsu@thecommunityfoundation.org.