Award Criteria


Community investment professionals provide support for strategic initiatives on behalf of their company; however, facilitating a corporate gift is not in itself an act of generosity.

It is the generosity of time and discernment given to applications, and guiding applicants to alternate solutions when there is a lack of fit with the company’s community goals. This requires strategic thinking and a holistic knowledge of other community investment programs. Strategic community investment means understanding how community investment furthers a corporation’s success, the alignment of the corporate goals and the program seeking funds while creating a stronger community. Commitment is required in seeing a project through to completion. Community investment is more than facilitating a gift; it is finding ways to create deep connections between people and organizations who share a common vision. It is also a commitment to the belief that the project can create a stronger result than any of the partners could on their own.

Exemplified by Hazel Gillespie’s inspirational career, the Award seeks to recognize excellence in the following qualities among community investment professionals:
  • Outstanding professional and collaborative leadership. This is a person who gives generously of themselves and their expertise to mentor others and values continuous learning for their own personal and professional growth.
  • A keen, informed and influential strategic vision of the community investment discipline. This person sees the big picture of what is possible for the community and how business can be a part of the solutions to make it happen. This person provides visionary leadership while striving for systemic change.
  • Belief in creating partnerships that can significantly impact community organizations and their target groups, as well as business goals and employee participation. This person rolls up their sleeves and gets involved to create positive change. 

Other attributes of a community investment professional include leadership, dedication and mentorship. Although these traits can be difficult to define objectively, in keeping with Hazel’s thoughts of inclusivity these traits are intended in the broadest possible definitions. Some examples include:
  • Leadership within a corporation, the profession and the non-profit community,
  • Dedication to the fundamental ideals and evolving practices of the profession, and 
  • Mentorship of fellow community investment professionals, whether new or peers, of partner organizations or corporate colleagues who seek to better understand the community investment profession.

Responsibility of Award Recipient

If chosen to receive this Award, the recipient must agree to:

  • Keep the news of their Award confidential until the HG CI LA committee makes a formal announcement 
  • Be an Ambassador for the Award agreeing to general media interviews, should the opportunity arise, including photographs that may be used in Association of Fundraising Professionals Calgary & Area Chapter (AFP)/HG CI LA promotional materials
  • Participate in National Philanthropy Day® celebrations in the year they receive the award, as requested by AFP
  • Present a short summary outlining the intended use for the HG CI LA cash award (included in the Nomination Form) and agree to share their learning with interested parties, should there be a request by the Calgary Community Investment Council or AFP
  • Use the cash award within the 12 months following the receipt of the award and present accounting records of how funds were actually spent, including receipts, no later than 12 months following receipt of the funds
  • Present a brief quote to the HG CI LA Committee concerning their personal and/or professional development experience and learning as a result of the award. This quote must be received by HG CI LA Committee no later than 12 months following receipt of the funds
  • Serve on the HG CI LA Committee in the future to help select the Award recipients (if requested)

Award to be presented at the Professionals' Forum Luncheon

For more information on Philanthropy Awareness Week, please check the Association of Fundraising Professionals Calgary & Area Chapter website: www.afpcalgary.ca
Nominations open June 24, 2021.
Nomination Deadline is EXTENDED TO 5 p.m. September 24 2021.
Award to be presented during the Professionals' Forum Luncheon (DATE TBD)
Award Criteria
Nomination Forms