More than 650 fundraising professionals, nonprofit executives and philanthropists gathered Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront to celebrate National Philanthropy Day.
Presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Florida First Coast Chapter, the event served to recognize the contributions of local donors and volunteers.
Maggie Hightower, president of the local chapter, said the organization represents more than 160 fundraising executives and 90 organizations in North Florida.
Nancy and Gary Chartrand were recognized as the 2013 Outstanding Philanthropists.
The couple has given more than $35 million to Jacksonville-area nonprofit organizations since 2006.
Their beneficiaries include the Diocese of St. Augustine, St. Vincent's HealthCare, Take Stock in Children and the Council for Educational Change.
"To us, philanthropy is about creating change," said Gary Chartrand, executive chairman of Acosta.
Beaver Street Fisheries co-founder Harry Frisch received the 2013 Legacy Award for his contributions to Baptist Health Foundation, Wolfson Children's Hospital, Jacksonville Jewish Foundation, Florida State College Foundation and other local organizations.
EverBank, which since 2006 has donated more than $7 million to nearly 100 local organizations, was recognized as this year's outstanding corporation.
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