The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Atlanta Chapter will host its 41st annual National Philanthropy Day (NPD) celebration at the Georgia Aquarium on November 2, 2023. For the tenth consecutive year, NPD is generously supported by its title sponsor, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. National Philanthropy Day is a hallmark of the power of community by bringing together 800+ business, civic, foundation, nonprofit, and volunteer leadersthroughout Atlanta. Attendees will be engaged by a compelling combination of inspirational speakers, presentations, and networking opportunities moving conversations from what happened in 2023 to where philanthropy is headed in 2024 and beyond. It will celebrate the power ofcommunity today and a brighter future for Atlanta tomorrow.

During the luncheon event the Association will honor three men dedicated to Atlanta. They are:

• Philanthropist of the Year, Jerry Wilkinson
• Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, Tom Johnson
• Philanthropic Leader of Tomorrow, Ryan Wilson

“The Association of Fundraising Professionals puts many volunteer hours into this milestone galaannually,” said Frank Fernandez, president and CEO for the Community Foundation. “After a decade of partnering with them to elevate the voice of philanthropy’s influence for positive change across our beloved ATL, please mark your calendars now to celebrate Jerry, Ryan and Tom’s giving back, and to discuss how our sector can move that giving forward to inspire prosperity for every Atlantan.”

2023 Honorees

Jerry Wilkinson is this year's Philanthropist of the Year honoree nominated by the AtlantaCommunity Food Bank. - Wilkinson is founder and Chairman of The Wilkinson Companies, a privately- held real estate investment and management firm. Since 1984, he has directed the operations and growth of the Wilkinson Companies and its subsidiaries. Wilkinson served as 2012 Chairman of the National Apartment Association (NAA). He has previously served as President of the Georgia Apartment Association (GAA) and the Atlanta Apartment Association (AAA). He is a member of the NAA and GAA Hall of Fame. He received a B.S. in Electrical

Engineering from Duke University, an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School and has done post-graduate work at Harvard.

Wilkinson has served on several Boards including the Duke University School of Engineering BOV, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, LaGrange College, Apartment Life Inc., and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. He has taught Bible Study for over 30 years and has served as Chairmanof Deacons for Dunwoody Baptist Church. Jerry has made 13 mission trips around the world including India, South Korea, South America, China, and the Soviet Union. He and his wife,Beverly, have three daughters and eight grandchildren and split their time between Atlanta, Georgia and Amelia Island, Florida.

Tom Johnson will be honored as Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year. He was nominated by Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Johnson served as chief executive officer of two of America’s most respected news organizations,Los Angeles Times and CNN. He was a reporter on The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph, a White House Fellow, Assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, executive vice president of Texas Broadcasting Company, and chief executive officer of The Dallas Times Herald, Los Angeles Times and CNN. Johnson retired in 2001. He received his journalism degree from The University of Georgia and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Johnson serves now as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of the Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation, a member of the board of visitors of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, a

member of the Advisory Boards of Points of Light Foundation and the J. Rex Fuqua Adolescent Mental Health Center, a division of Skyland Trail. He is a member of The Alfalfa Club, the Bohemian Club, the Atlanta Press Club, the Commerce Club of Atlanta and the Headliners Clubof Austin, Texas. Johnson and his wife Edwina have a son, Wyatt Johnson of Santa Cruz, California, and a daughter, Mrs. William (Christa) Shaffer of San Diego and two granddaughters.

Ryan Wilson will receive the Philanthropic Leader of Tomorrow award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the community by a philanthropist under 40. Wilson was nominated by the Woodruff Arts Center. Wilson is the co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, a private membership network that serves as a hub for collaboration, connections and experiences; theChief Community Officer of Greenwood, a digital banking services platform for Black and minority individuals and businesses; and a principal at A3C, a music, tech and film conference and festival.

At 33 years old, Wilson has been honored as the Small Business Person of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, was also selected as one of their 2020 40 under Forty honorees, was named one of Goldman Sach’s Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2021, and is in the inaugural class of SheaMoisture’s Social Justice Coalition. He is the recipient of the prestigious Phoenix Award, Atlanta’s highest honor. Atlanta Magazine named him one of “Atlanta’s 500

most powerful leaders” and he has also earned title as one of the country’s most influential African-Americans in The Root 100 and the Ebony Power 100.

An Atlanta native, Wilson proudly serves on the boards of Usher’s New Look, The Woodruff Arts Center, The Atlanta Business League, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Peace Preparatory Academy and The Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the 100 Black Men, Atlanta Rotary Club and has previously served as Co- Chair for Black Men Count Initiative of Fair Count. Wilson graduated from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center. He resides happily in Atlanta, with his beautiful wife and two children.

AFP Greater Atlanta is grateful to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta for its 10 years of partnership as Title Sponsor of National Philanthropy Day. 

Tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities are available now. Additional information about the2023 National Philanthropy Day can be found at www.afpgreateratlanta.org or by contacting 2023 Chair Liz Loreti.