Holston Conference Foundation staff member Paul Bowman has won the Nonprofit Professional of the Year award. This was the first time this award has been presented by the Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as part of the Knoxville Philanthropy Day celebration. The award was presented on Nov. 14 at Cherokee Country Club.

Others honored included Mike Smith as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser,  Emmette Thompson as outstanding philanthropist, the Knoxville News Sentinel as Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist, and Dance Marathon as Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy. 

Nine additional people were honored by various Knoxville area non-profits at the event. The Holston Conference Foundation honored the memories of Sammy Lynn and Gene Puett who provided great leadership and generosity to many community needs, but especially through Fountain City United Methodist Church, the Holston Conference, and the Holston Conference Foundation.  Sammie Lynn served as president  and in other board positions with the Foundation board. She and Gene established an endowment in the Foundation and included a very generous legacy gift through their estate plan for Fountain City UMC.  Rev. Mark Flynn’s parents were honored for their volunteer service with Children’s Hospital.

Philanthropy Day is celebrated across the country in many cities to help us honor those to help make each community better through gifts of money, time, talent and service.

The Holston Conference Foundation now has over $90 million for the first time. We have given away over $350,000 in grants so far this year and will potentially give away another $100,000 by year’s end.

Roger Redding is executive director of the Holston Conference Foundation.