National Philanthropy Day
November 17th, 2023
11:30am - 1:00pm
Amarillo Civic Center - Grand Plaza
November 17th, 2023
11:30am - 1:00pm
Amarillo Civic Center - Grand Plaza
2023 National Philanthropy Day Honorees
Outstanding Philanthropist
John & Nancy Kritser
Nominator – Amarillo College
Since their first gift to Amarillo College 20 years ago, the Kritsers have provided impactful support towards capital needs and student programs. Their volunteer leadership and generosity have positively affected numerous organizations in the Amarillo area including a $1 million dollar gift to the Kids Inc. Home Field Advantage Campaign and major gift support of the capital campaign to bring the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine to Amarillo.
Outstanding Media
NewsChannel 10
Nominator – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo
In its 70-years on air, NewsChannel10 has demonstrated a commitment to shining a light on the giving spirit that makes our region such a special place. NewsChannel10’s in-depth coverage and partnership is vital to the success of numerous fundraising campaigns and philanthropic events. NewsChannel10 invests upward of $1 million into advertising for area nonprofits annually.
Outstanding Foundation
High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation
Nominator – Downtown Women’s Center and West Texas A&M University
Through its mission, High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation has worked to solve challenges of homelessness, tackled hunger for our youth and elderly populations, assisted in lessening generational poverty through educational opportunities, and enhanced quality of life and increased access to quality health and dental care. In the past 5 years, HPCMF has provided over 200 grants to 86 organizations totaling over $33 million dollars.
Outstanding Small Business
Rockrose Development, LLC
Nominator – Kids, Inc.
Rockrose Development, under the direction of President Suzanne Attebury Boyce, helped Kids, Inc. launch the Home Field Advantage Campaign with a donation of 90 acres of land valued at more than $6 million dollars. The gift was the catalyst for many others, and Kids, Inc. is now well over halfway to their campaign goal.
Outstanding Large Business
Education Credit Union
Nominator – Education Credit Union Foundation
For many years, Education Credit Union has made significant contributions to area education and youth. Since the creation of the Pocket Change grant program in 2009, ECU has honored deserving teachers in the top 26 counties, donating over $758,000. They have also played vital roles in some of the community’s largest fundraising initiatives, including gifting $500,000 to both the AC Badger Bold Campaign and the Kids, Inc. Home Field Advantage Campaign.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
Michele Agostini
Nominator – Turn Center
Michele has served as President, Vice President or major committee chair for well over a dozen area organizations. Her leadership and fundraising efforts have elevated the profiles of various non-profit causes, which in turn encourages others to support those causes with time, talent and treasure.
Outstanding Fundraising Event
Miracle Week – Children’s Miracle Network
Nominator – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Turn Center
Miracle Week, as the name implies, is a week-long fundraising and awareness campaign that has been taking place in some form or fashion for decades in the Texas Panhandle. CMN partners with numerous local media entities and shares the stories of local CMN Miracle Families. In 2023 alone, Miracle Week events generated gifts totaling more than $128,500, all of which stays in the Panhandle to help area children.
Family Philanthropic Spirit Award
Barbara & Ray Bain and Family
Nominated by – West Texas A&M University
Barbara and the late Ray Bain created a legacy of philanthropy and servant leadership that continues today in the second and third generations and through the bank Ray founded, First United Bank. Their giving spirit has impacted numerous communities including Lubbock, Dimmitt, Canyon and Perryton, but perhaps their greatest impact to date has been at West Texas A&M University, where they have supported numerous scholarships, athletic programs and capital projects with over $5 million in gifts.
Outstanding Philanthropist
John & Nancy Kritser
Nominator – Amarillo College
Since their first gift to Amarillo College 20 years ago, the Kritsers have provided impactful support towards capital needs and student programs. Their volunteer leadership and generosity have positively affected numerous organizations in the Amarillo area including a $1 million dollar gift to the Kids Inc. Home Field Advantage Campaign and major gift support of the capital campaign to bring the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine to Amarillo.
Outstanding Media
NewsChannel 10
Nominator – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo
In its 70-years on air, NewsChannel10 has demonstrated a commitment to shining a light on the giving spirit that makes our region such a special place. NewsChannel10’s in-depth coverage and partnership is vital to the success of numerous fundraising campaigns and philanthropic events. NewsChannel10 invests upward of $1 million into advertising for area nonprofits annually.
Outstanding Foundation
High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation
Nominator – Downtown Women’s Center and West Texas A&M University
Through its mission, High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation has worked to solve challenges of homelessness, tackled hunger for our youth and elderly populations, assisted in lessening generational poverty through educational opportunities, and enhanced quality of life and increased access to quality health and dental care. In the past 5 years, HPCMF has provided over 200 grants to 86 organizations totaling over $33 million dollars.
Outstanding Small Business
Rockrose Development, LLC
Nominator – Kids, Inc.
Rockrose Development, under the direction of President Suzanne Attebury Boyce, helped Kids, Inc. launch the Home Field Advantage Campaign with a donation of 90 acres of land valued at more than $6 million dollars. The gift was the catalyst for many others, and Kids, Inc. is now well over halfway to their campaign goal.
Outstanding Large Business
Education Credit Union
Nominator – Education Credit Union Foundation
For many years, Education Credit Union has made significant contributions to area education and youth. Since the creation of the Pocket Change grant program in 2009, ECU has honored deserving teachers in the top 26 counties, donating over $758,000. They have also played vital roles in some of the community’s largest fundraising initiatives, including gifting $500,000 to both the AC Badger Bold Campaign and the Kids, Inc. Home Field Advantage Campaign.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
Michele Agostini
Nominator – Turn Center
Michele has served as President, Vice President or major committee chair for well over a dozen area organizations. Her leadership and fundraising efforts have elevated the profiles of various non-profit causes, which in turn encourages others to support those causes with time, talent and treasure.
Outstanding Fundraising Event
Miracle Week – Children’s Miracle Network
Nominator – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Turn Center
Miracle Week, as the name implies, is a week-long fundraising and awareness campaign that has been taking place in some form or fashion for decades in the Texas Panhandle. CMN partners with numerous local media entities and shares the stories of local CMN Miracle Families. In 2023 alone, Miracle Week events generated gifts totaling more than $128,500, all of which stays in the Panhandle to help area children.
Family Philanthropic Spirit Award
Barbara & Ray Bain and Family
Nominated by – West Texas A&M University
Barbara and the late Ray Bain created a legacy of philanthropy and servant leadership that continues today in the second and third generations and through the bank Ray founded, First United Bank. Their giving spirit has impacted numerous communities including Lubbock, Dimmitt, Canyon and Perryton, but perhaps their greatest impact to date has been at West Texas A&M University, where they have supported numerous scholarships, athletic programs and capital projects with over $5 million in gifts.