Click here for photos from the event!

Co-Chairs: Breana Hebert & Cathy McClain

Committee:

Beau Cummings

Angie Hill

Larry Sackett

Jameson Tomlin

TICKETS/SPONSORSHIPS

$25 – $2,500

On National Philanthropy Day (NPD) we celebrate the extraordinary change
that fundraising and philanthropy have helped to create in our world and our community!

Each year, the Cape Fear Region Chapter honors an Outstanding Philanthropist and Outstanding Fundraiser, who are recognized and celebrated at our local NPD event in November, and we also honor and recognize work that organizations and people do to positively impact our community – organizations and people like YOU!

 Location: Daniels Hall, 5th Floor, Union Station at Cape Fear Community College
 Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
 Tickets: $25 per person

Enjoy beer, wine, and light bites as we honor our local philanthropic heroes.

NPD is also our chapter’s annual fundraiser.  Funds raised provide continuing education, membership, and conference scholarships for chapter members, providing meaningful professional development opportunities that strengthen the nonprofits members serve.

What is National Philanthropy Day?

National Philanthropy Day® is both an official day and a grassroots movement. Every year, since 1986, when President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed November 15th as National Philanthropy Day®, communities across the globe have celebrated by hosting events around this date to recognize activities of donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations, and others engaged in philanthropy.

NPD celebrates giving, volunteering and charitable engagement and highlights the accomplishments that philanthropy makes to our society and our world.

This year, the AFP Cape Fear Region Chapter recognizes a tie for Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year, honoring two couples whose generosity and leadership have shaped our community for generations. 

Outstanding Fundraiser:

Leigh Johnson

As a career-long advocate for health equity, Leigh Johnson serves as the Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Regional Director of Philanthropy where she engages supporters across eastern North Carolina to raise funds directly impacting the local Planned Parenthood Health Center, ensuring patients have access to high-quality, affordable reproductive health care. As the local and regional director, Leigh works with community partners to ensure that reproductive health care is part of the conversation when discussing health equity. Oftentimes, Planned Parenthood is the only provider a patient will see, because of a range of issues including healthcare costs and accessibility.

Leigh Johnson has been a member of the Wilmington community for almost 30 years. She is a graduate of Hoggard High School, Cape Fear Community College, and earned her BA and then her master’s in public administration (MPA) in Nonprofit Management from UNC Wilmington.

Her passion for health equity began with her career at Planned Parenthood in the early 2000’s when she joined the local affiliate. Since that time Leigh has continued her career in the nonprofit world, working for the Children’s Museum of Wilmington where she conceptualized the Teddy Bear Hospital and the Dental Corner, two exhibits where children can learn about healthcare through play. As the regional director for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Leigh brought the Komen 5K Race for the Cure to Eastern NC, a community event providing breast cancer survivors and their friends and families the opportunity to participate in a local initiative raising awareness about the importance of early detection and raising funds to directly support breast cancer patients and to conduct life-saving research.

In addition to her career accomplishments, Leigh is committed to being a local community leader. She has serves as a board member of the Women’s Impact Network (a collective giving circle). She also serves as the committee chair for the Tunes and Blooms Concert Series for the Azalea Festival. She previously led the WHQR Community Advisory Board as Chair and has served on the Board of Directors for the Cape Fear Literacy Council and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

She takes pride in her community and loves that she and her husband have the privilege of raising their son in such an incredible place.

Outstanding Philanthropist:

Ned and Margaret Barclay

Margaret and Ned Barclay have enjoyed over 40 years of marital bliss, having married in 1978 after meeting on a blind date. A Carolina girl, Margaret was born and raised in New Bern and Ned grew up in Cranbury, NJ. When they met, Margaret was pursuing a career as a lobbyist for the North Carolina Soft Drink Association and Ned had moved to North Carolina to make his mark building a pizza restaurant franchise. Pizza and soft drinks, almost as perfect together as Margaret and Ned. 

Ned graduated from Cornell and Margaret received her degree in Economics and Finance from UNCW’s Cameron School of Business, where she was later recognized as an outstanding Alumnus. Margaret and Ned both had successful careers in Wilmington; they were credited with growing the Wilmington real estate market through Prudential Carolinas Realty, the largest real estate company in the Carolina’s at that time.  

Both Ned and Margaret have continuously served the Wilmington community by generously giving their time, talent and treasure. Together they have established multiple endowments and served on countless boards and committees in support of education, children’s causes and community initiatives. While they remain active in the community, they now allow more time for travel, family, and philanthropic interests. However, first and foremost, they are parents, grandparents and recent great grandparents – and they love every second of it.  

Margaret and Ned apply grace and wisdom to every effort they make. They bring an understated elegance and a concrete commitment to community sprinkled with abundant vigor for life and a passion for family. 

Outstanding Philanthropist:

George and Sylvia Rountree

George and Sylvia Rountree have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving people's lives through philanthropy and service with generous support and strategic investments in education and healthcare.  

A retired real estate professional, Sylvia's work ethic, intellect, and quick wit enabled her success. Her personal journey as a cancer survivor motivated her civic involvement and charitable giving. She established the Sylvia H Rountree Fund through the NHRMC Foundation to provide cancer care for those who could not afford it. Her fund has enabled hundreds of patients to receive medication assistance. Sylvia served on the NHRMC Board of Trustees, serving as the second female chairperson and also served on the Duke Cancer Center Advisory Board.  

A basketball player at the University of Arizona, George graduated with honors from the University of Arizona College of Law. George returned to Wilmington in 1962, joining his grandfather's law practice. Demonstrating his commitment to giving young people the same opportunities for success, he has been a strong advocate for local high school students, as well as college students at the University of Arizona and UNCW. He also chaired the original campaign for the Zimmer Cancer Center.  

The Rountree's commitment to advancing healthcare and education is evident in their philanthropy. Since the time that one of their grandchildren was diagnosed with diabetes, they have also generously supported Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). The Rountree's established endowed scholarships at the University of Arizona, the University of Arizona College of Law, UNCW, and CFCC, creating opportunities for countless young people, especially student athletes. 

Thank you to our 2025 NPD Sponsors!

Champion Sponsor

Cape Fear Community College

Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

University of North Carolina Wilmington Advancement

WHQR

Community Partner Sponsor

Novant Health Foundation

Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

Spirit of Philanthropy Sponsor

Cape Fear Habitat For Humanity
Carousel Center
Family Promise of the Lower Cape Fear
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
NourishNC
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
Larry Sackett
United Way of the Cape Fear Area
WARM NC

SPONSORSHIPS

TITLE SPONSOR – $2,500

• 15 Attendees
• Spirit of Philanthropy Honoree recognition
• Speaking opportunity at the NPD Celebration
• Two digital ads on our social media
• Logo on all event promotion
• Logo with hyperlink on NPD Webpage
• Promotion in AFP Email Newsletter

CHAMPION SPONSOR – $1,000

• 10 Attendees
• Spirit of Philanthropy Honoree recognition
• Speaking opportunity at the NPD Celebration
• Two digital ads on our social media

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPONSOR – $500

• 10 Attendees
• Spirit of Philanthropy Honoree recognition
• One digital ad on our social media

SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY SPONSOR – $250

• Nonprofits Only
• 10 Attendees
• Spirit of Philanthropy Honoree recognition
• One digital ad on our social media

Explanation of Sponsorship Benefit, “Spirit of Philanthropy Honoree”:

In honor of National Philanthropy Day, sponsors are welcome to invite someone that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to philanthropy. They will be presented with a token of appreciation on behalf of your business/organization. It can be a donor, volunteer, client friend, coworker, or aspiring youth philanthropist. This award honors those who have made a positive impact on the lives of others through their charitable actions, generosity, and dedication to our community. Sponsors can invite one (1) Spirit of Philanthropy Honoree to be recognized for their commitment to philanthropy.

Past National Philanthropy Day Honorees