National Philanthropy Day Luncheon Honors Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation
2015 Champion of Philanthropy
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Miami will commemorate this milestone event by presenting the Champion of Philanthropy Award to Alberto Ibargüen at the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 12 at Jungle Island.
Alberto Ibargüen of the Knight Foundation was nominated to receive the Champion of Philanthropy Award by the AFP Board of Directors and is only the second recipient of this award. The Champion of Philanthropy Award denotes exceptional contributions in the world of philanthropy and a commitment to sustain nonprofit organizations by creating innovative programs and funding.
Alberto Ibargüen is President, CEO and Trustee of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. He is the former publisher of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. During his tenure, The Miami Herald won three Pulitzer Prizes and El Nuevo Herald won Spain’s Ortega y Gasset Prize for excellence in journalism.
Through his innovative approach and transformational leadership at the Knight Foundation, Mr. Ibargüen is a beacon in Miami’s nonprofit world as a true champion of philanthropy, partnership, and community-building. The Knight Foundation, which has an endowment of more than $2 billion, operates across three primary program areas: the Arts, Community and National Initiatives, and Journalism and Media Innovation. Under Ibargüen’s leadership, the Knight Foundation has transformed its outreach and grant making programs by encouraging the participation of smaller organizations, innovators, and nonprofits, and engaging them in creative projects that promote civic engagement, a collaborative spirit, and serve to unite the community.
Mr. Ibargüen has instilled a contagious philosophy of collaboration through the Knight Foundation’s funding initiatives.
He is considered both a local and national leader in his approach to growing the nonprofit journalism movement and weaving it into the fabric of the South Florida community.
Ibargüen will be honored for his unwavering commitment to Miami, and his leadership in the fields of journalism, community engagement, and support of the arts.
