Citing her breadth of function inward philanthropy together with fundraising to create goodness J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Mechanicsville resident Elizabeth S. “Bess” Littlefield is the 2016 recipient of the Nina Abady Award presented yesteryear the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE).
“Her strategic vision for advancing our mission goes beyond fundraising,” said Reynolds President Gary L. Rhodes. “Bess is masterful at positioning the college’s strengths to increase access to higher pedagogy for all individuals inward our community, regardless of circumstance.”
Nina Abady was a Richmond icon known for her passion for supporting the arts. Downtown Presents, Friday Cheers, The Big Gig together with the Second Street Festival were amid the flagship civic events Ms. Abady founded earlier her popular off inward 1993. The VAFRE accolade bearing her cite is presented to a Virginia fundraising professional person who has demonstrated excellence inward the champaign of development.
“Development professionals are typically behind the scenes because nosotros desire our donors to endure the ones who shine,” Littlefield said. “Having the spotlight on me is a trivial unfamiliar, merely I am deeply honored to convey my peers direct me for this award. Nina Abady was to a greater extent than than a fundraiser together with founding fellow member of VAFRE; she was a force. It’s especial that, equally a community, nosotros tin holler back her inclusiveness together with vision, together with move along edifice upon it.”
Littlefield has helped grow the endowment of the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation from a modest figure when she began her tenure inward 1996 to to a greater extent than than $10 1000000 inward assets. The Educational Foundation provides some $1 1000000 annually to back upward instruction at Reynolds, including upwards of $500,000 inward scholarship funding for students each year.
Littlefield together with hubby Mike Edwards convey lived inward Mechanicsville since 1995. Their boy Jack Edwards graduated from Hanover High School earlier earning a score from UVA. “Our 2 Corgis aid fill upward up our recent ‘empty nest.’ I count them amid my many blessings inward life,” said Littlefield.