AFP-NNE Demont Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

Demont & Associates has partnered with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northern New England (AFP-NNE), to award a $5,000 grant to an individual aged 8 to 23 who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering, and leadership in philanthropy. This is not a community service award. Rather it is a publicly and professionally recognized honor for a young person who has both personally and through the inspired efforts of others raised a relatively impressive amount of charitable support for the development of an important service or initiative in Northern New England.

In the words of President Robert Demont, “We are delighted to recognize the efforts of an outstanding youth philanthropist with this award. We know that there are many very deserving kids doing inspirational work raising funds for many worthwhile programs in our region.”

The purpose of the Youth in Philanthropy Award is to foster greater interest among youth in the fundraising profession. We know that there is no greater joy than to work in a field where you can make a lasting difference for good, and we are ready to learn and grow from young individual’s involvement and their example.

The recipient of this annual award is chosen from a pool of nominations by a New England Region Philanthropy Committee comprised of development professionals working in the fields of education and youth services in Northern New England. Each year, in November, the recipient is announced at AFP-NNE’s annual conference during its National Philanthropy Day awards ceremony. Teachers, non-profit leaders, development professionals, and others working with young people are encouraged to submit nominations for this award.

For Demont's Youth in Philanthropy Award criteria, click here. To submit a nomination on behalf of a deserving youth, click here.

Nomination applications may also be submitted via the AFP-NNE scholarship web page at http://www.afp-nne.org/youth-in-philanthropy-nomination-form.html.

2023 Recipient: Brayden Bashaw

The 2023 AFP-NNE and Demont Associates Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award and Grant went to Brayden Bashaw of Auburn, ME. Over the past 9 years, Brayden has raised nearly $100,000 for his Make-A-Wish Campaign "Ornaments for Hope." At age 11, Brayden developed a plan to help kids who were battling illnesses in Maine. Each year, along with the support of family and friends, Brayden makes Christmas ornaments, holds a silent auction, and conducts a 50/50 raffle at Gritty's in Auburn. Brayden's efforts have helped bring hope, strength and joy to 12 Maine children so far. Now, at 18 years old, he is hard at work on his final "Ornaments for Hope" Campaign before he goes to college in 2024. Brayden is a three-sport athlete at Edward Little High School and hopes to be a dentist someday. At Demont Associates, we hope that other young leaders like Brayden continue to support the well-being of others and shine a light on community needs. 

To see past YIP recipient videos, click here.

Previous Award Recipients:

2022 Kasey Jordan, Mount Desert Island High School, Bar Harbor, ME

2021 Kelsey Eastman, Merrimack Valley High School, Concord, NH

2019 Tommy Hosmer, Bangor High School, Bangor, ME

2018 Nicholas Poitras, Madawaska Middle School, Madawaska, ME

2017 Victoria Reed, Alburgh Community Education Center, Alburgh, VT

2016  Riley Callen, The Dorset School, Dorset, VT

2015  Celia Andrews, Westford Elementary School, Westford, VT

2014  Gabbie St. Peter & Alice Willette, George J. Mitchell School, Waterville, ME

2013  Lanie Howes, Madison Memorial High School, Athens, ME

2012  Lyssa Jackson, The Putney School, Keene, NH

2011  Brandon Hamel, Laconia High School, Laconia, NH

2010  Sophie McKibben, The Northbranch School, Ripton, VT

2009  Rachel Blair Friedman, Portland, ME

2008  Jake Gallagher, Yarmouth High School, Yarmouth, ME

2007  Torie Catrett & Dezirae Brewer, Mahoney Middle School and Memorial Middle School, South Portland, Maine