Honorees Announced

The 24th Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards will take place on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. 

At the heart of the philanthropic community are people-organizers, communicators, mentors, and innovators, all who are willing to inspire, enlighten, feed, heal, shelter, educate, and nurture the people in our community. Each year, West Suburban Philanthropic Network recognizes these outstanding individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporations and the skilled, fundraising professionals who serve alongside them through our Annual Philanthropy Awards. 

We invite you to help us celebrate the people, groups, businesses, and organizations that will be recognized in these categories:

• Philanthropist of the Year: Laurie McMahon, nominated by Child’s Voice

• Humanitarian of the Year: Erica Nelson, nominated by Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center
• Young Philanthropist of the Year: Kendall Tai Nghiem, nominated by Kulchitt Toy Vilaichitt
• Grantmaker of the Year: Nanette Silva of Community Memorial Foundation, nominated by DuPage Health Coalition and many others 
• Philanthropic Foundation of the Year: Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, nominated by the City of Aurora
• Philanthropic Service Club of the Year: The Clarendon Hills Lions Club, nominated by People's Resource Center
• Philanthropic Business of the Year: Mesón Sabika, nominated by DuPagePads
• Nonprofit Executive of the Year: Geri Kerger, CEO, NAMI DuPage nominated by NAMI DuPage and DuPagePads
• Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year: Cindy Blaszak, nominated by Brookfield Zoo Chicago

We are able to provide networking and growth opportunities all year long thanks to our generous sponsors of our annual awards program.

We invite you to:

• View SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION.
• Download the SPONSORSHIP FORM.

We appreciate your support! 

Learn more about our sponsors by visiting their websites 

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

People's Resource Center

Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation

DuPage Foundation

Child's Voice

College of DuPage Foundation

NAMI DuPage

DuPagePads

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center (GECRC)