Photo by Billy Brown
Craft O'Neal
Craft O’Neal, chairman and CEO of O’Neal Industries in Birmingham. The company was named the William M. and Virginia B. Spencer Outstanding Philanthropist in the 2019 National Philanthropy Day Awards to be presented on November 14, 2019, by the Alabama Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Each year, the Alabama Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) honors donors, volunteers, fundraising executives and other professionals who give their time, talents, money or other resources to help boost the success of nonprofit organizations in the community.
The chapter will recognize this year’s award recipients during the National Philanthropy Day (NPD) luncheon to be held at The Harbert Center downtown on Thursday, November 14, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., according to a news release from the group.
The following are the 2019 National Philanthropy Day Award Honorees in this area:
William M. and Virginia B. Spencer Outstanding Philanthropist: O’Neal Industries, Inc., shareholders and family members. The company was nominated by UAB. In December 2018, O’Neal made a $30 million donation to the Comprehensive Cancer Center — the single largest gift in UAB history. The facility is now called the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“We see this gift as an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way to a cause that is important to everyone,” said Craft O’Neal, chairman and CEO of O’Neal Industries, when the gift was announced, according to a UAB news release.
United Way of Central Alabama Outstanding Civic Leader: Bill Terry, Highland Associates Inc. Terry was nominated by the Greater Alabama Council of the Boy Scouts of America and St. Mary’s on the Highlands Episcopal Church.
Outstanding Corporate Citizen: Capstone Collegiate Communities. The company was nominated by Glenwood Inc.
William S. Roth Outstanding Fundraising Executive: Caroline Bolvig, United Way of Central Alabama. Bolvig was nominated by the UWCA.
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Outstanding Professional Advisor: Steve Briggs, Petra Life Services. Briggs was nominated by the UWCA.
Outstanding Charitable Organization: Walker Area Community Foundation. The group was nominated by Girls Inc. of Central Alabama.
Bill Moran Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Christian Huddle, Mountain Brook High School Class of 2018, was nominated by STAIR of Birmingham.
Last year, more than 130 AFP chapters held NPD events in North America. The first official NPD events were held in 1986 after President Ronald Reagan signed the official NPD proclamation. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and importance of charitable giving.
The Alabama Chapter of the AFP has over 140 members from 90 nonprofits, consulting firms and corporations in Central Alabama.
For more information, go to afpalabama.com.
