Nancy Strause '59, was honored as the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Central Ohio. Strause was honored for her exemplary fundraising and advocacy efforts.
Serving as treasurer, president and board chair in Columbus BalletMet’s early years, Strause worked with community leaders to develop a strong Board and viable financial base. Building on that foundation, BalletMet has long been recognized as one of Ohio’s leading arts organizations. With extensive fundraising success, Strause then became development director for 15 years, returning to Board service after her retirement in 2004. She has since provided leadership to multiple fundraising initiatives; co-chaired the Artistic Director Search Committee which brought Edwaard Liang to Columbus in 2013; and is currently vice co-chair of development.
Among her honors for community service are an Honorary Doctorate of Community Leadership from Franklin University in 2004 and a Denison University Alumni Citation in 1995. She was the first recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fund Raising Executive of the Year Award in 1993 and also was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 1990.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievement by individual, foundation and corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers and professional fundraisers. In professional fundraising, such individuals and organizations form a vital partnership with charities and the nonprofit sector to ensure that the needs of all citizens are met. It is right and proper, therefore, that AFP honors those who hold high ethical standards whose life-time or long-term achievements have made a significant impact upon society.
Celebrations have been held in hundreds of communities across the globe annually since the official National Philanthropy Day©, November 15th, was proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.