Santana Febrey, development officer at Autism Edmonton, has been recognized as one of four Outstanding Young Professionals by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The award was presented in Toronto on April 7 during AFP ICON 2024, the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world.
The award recognizes fundraisers under the age of 31 who display excellence in raising funds, inspiring donors, and managing campaigns, while demonstrating dedication to the charitable sector.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Outstanding Young Professionals Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This recognition goes beyond a personal milestone; it reflects the unwavering dedication and support from my colleagues, mentors, and those around me. I immensely appreciate our donors, whose trust in me has fueled our efforts to create meaningful change within our community. Collaborating with like-minded individuals who share my passion for our mission has been profoundly transformative," says Febrey. "This award validates the impact of our joint efforts in advancing philanthropy and reinforces our commitment to making a positive difference. I am sincerely thankful for this acknowledgment and remain steadfast in my commitment to driving impactful change through fundraising and advocacy."
Growth and advancement
Over the past five years, Febrey has undergone significant growth and advancement within Autism Edmonton. She transitioned from the role of resources management coordinator to that of partnership and development supervisor, ultimately securing her current position as the organization's development officer.
Autism Edmonton is a small nonprofit dedicated to life-enhancing programs which ignite the power and potential of autistic individuals. Being neurodivergent herself, Santana holds the organization’s mission close to her heart. This passion is evident in her dedication and the success of her fundraising campaigns.
For example, last year alone, corporate donations came in 285% higher than projected for the year, a testament to her ability to build strong partnerships within the community and the work she has taken on to develop the nonprofit’s corporate giving strategy.
Santana also spearheaded the creation of the first fund development strategic plan in the organization's 52-year history and has been supervising the small but quickly growing fund development team, leading to steady growth in grant revenue, donations, and number of donors. Her creativity and imagination have ignited transformative rebranding initiatives across Autism Edmonton's public-facing marketing efforts. Through her dedicated commitment, Santana has played a vital role in ensuring the charity's long-term sustainability and impact throughout her tenure.
A committed volunteer
“On behalf of everyone at AFP, I want to offer my congratulations to Santana Febrey, one of our amazing Outstanding Young Professionals this year,” said Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, president and CEO of AFP. “Fundraisers at small nonprofits have a lot on their plate, but Santana has embraced every new project as an opportunity to further Autism Edmonton’s impact. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this emerging leader."
In addition to being one of this year's award recipients, Febrey contributes actively to the Association of Fundraising Professionals as a committed volunteer. She engages with the AFP Membership Committee and the AFP Edmonton and Area Chapter, having previously served on the AFP IDEA Committee. Additionally, Febrey serves on the City of Edmonton’s Women’s Advisory Voice of Edmonton Committee, where she advises and advocates to City Council on matters concerning women's and gender-based issues and opportunities. This committee is dedicated to promoting leadership development initiatives that empower women and gender-diverse individuals in Edmonton to actively participate in civic life, ensuring their voices are heard and valued in policy decisions and priorities.
Santana has consistently showcased a dedication to advancing her professional skills, acquiring diplomas in nonprofit management and event management, and certificates in leadership. Presently, she is actively pursuing her CFRE certification, further solidifying her expertise and credentials in the field.
