National Philanthropy Day
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

Each year, the AFP St. Louis Chapter is proud to celebrate the people and organizations whose generosity, leadership, and vision uplift our community and inspire others to give back.

The individuals and groups we recognize today embody the true meaning of philanthropy—a love of humankind. Through their dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts, they have made a profound and lasting impact on the St. Louis region and beyond. Whether through personal giving, corporate support, volunteer leadership, or innovative partnerships, these honorees represent the very best of what it means to serve others.

We are honored to share their stories and celebrate their achievements as part of our 2025 National Philanthropy Day Celebration.

OUTSTANDING EMERGING PROFESSIONAL
Lauren Finan

For as long as she can remember, Lauren Finan has been drawn to opportunities that bring people together and make life better for others. From working on service projects as a teenager, to mentoring young campers and supporting families in crisis, Lauren’s journey into the nonprofit world began with a simple belief: small acts of care can spark big change.

Today, Lauren is Development Coordinator at The Oasis Institute, a national nonprofit based in St. Louis. She manages direct mail campaigns, recently oversaw a full database transition, writes grants, leads donor communications, and supports her team in building meaningful relationships with donors and partners.

Her path to development was shaped by diverse experiences—serving with AmeriCorps and Girl Scouts of North Texas, teaching students with disabilities at Notre Dame School of Dallas, and interning at The Family Place, a domestic violence agency. These roles instilled her belief in advocacy, equity, and the power of connection.

An active member of AFP St. Louis, Lauren serves as Emerging Professionals Chair and is a two-time AFP Fellowship recipient. She’s committed to challenging outdated systems and fostering a more community-centered approach to fundraising.

Originally from Texas, Lauren moved to St. Louis three years ago and calls it life-changing. She loves her Tower Grove neighborhood, cheering on the Blues, and connecting with people over coffee—always eager to learn their stories and make a difference together. Outgoing, kind, and full of energy, Lauren thrives on learning people’s stories and finding ways to make an impact together.

OUTSTANDING Philanthropist
Schnuck Markets, inc. and The Schnuck Family

Founded in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is a third and fourth generation, family-owned grocery retailer committed to nourishing people’s lives. Schnucks is one of the largest privately-owned supermarket chains in the United States and has been serving Midwest customers a unique combination of quality food, variety and value for more than eight decades. The company has grown to include 113 stores in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Schnucks is the 203rd largest privately-owned company in the United States and the 13th largest privately-owned grocer according to Forbes’ 2024 rankings, and the company currently employs more than 11,000 teammates. The company is committed to helping communities thrive, and as a champion for reducing hunger, Schnucks annually donates more than $15 million in food to pantries that help those in need. At Schnucks, growth and change are two constants. As customers and communities evolve, Schnucks adapts and innovates to meet their needs and to live the company’s mission to Nourish People’s Lives.

OUTSTANDING Fundraising Volunteer
Linda Hunter

Linda Hunter is a dedicated wife, mother of three, and passionate advocate for the nonprofit community in St. Louis. A 1997 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Public Affairs Management, Linda began her career at Campbell Hausfeld, a global manufacturing company based in Harrison, Ohio. Over a decade, she built extensive experience in Global Supply Chain Management, with a focus on major retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot. She also served as Demand Manager, overseeing forecasting and replenishment across all ten product categories.
Linda has remained deeply committed to volunteerism and community service. Since 2005, she has been an enthusiastic supporter of COCA–Center of Creative Arts, serving on the Gala Committee and the Richard Baron Leadership Circle. Alongside her husband Jesse, a former COCA Board President, she co-chaired the organization’s signature fundraising event, COCAcabana. In 2011, she was honored as COCA’s Volunteer of the Year.

Her involvement extends to The Magic House, where she has served on the Friends Committee for over a decade, on the Board from 2015–2020 (rejoining in 2022), and as Gala Chair in both 2015 and 2016. She is a founding member of the Pink Ribbon Good St. Louis Advisory Board and has served on its National Board since 2017, currently holding the position of National Board Chair.
In 2019, Linda joined the Board of the Saint Louis Zoo. She has chaired the Marlin Perkins Society Committee and now serves as Vice Chair on the Zoo’s Executive Board. She is also actively involved in fundraising for the Zoo’s North County WildCare Park expansion. Most recently, she was appointed to the Boards of Variety the Children’s Charity and the St. Louis Aquarium Foundation.
In addition to her board leadership, Linda is deeply engaged in her children’s education, contributing to various school committees and co-chairing their bi-annual auction in 2017.  She was also recognized as a Woman of Achievement in 2023.

Through The Hunter Family Foundation—founded six years ago—Linda helps lead the family’s philanthropic mission to expand access to education and healthcare and to support organizations working to uplift the local community.

Linda resides in St. Louis with her husband Jesse and their three children: Riley (20), Kate (18), and Jackson (16).

Changemaker
Anthony Thompson

Anthony (Tony) Thompson is the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Kwame (KWAME) Building Group, Inc. Mr. Thompson earned a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering with a Construction Management major from Washington University and his Master of Business Administration Degree in Finance from Webster University.  In addition, he attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Kansas. He has been recognized and received awards from prestigious institutions such as Washington University’s
St. Louis’ “Most Distinguished Alumni” in 2019, St. Louis American’s “Person of the Year” award in 2021, and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient as recognized by the STL Construction Consortium.

Today, Mr. Thompson remains fully engaged in KWAME's continued success and longevity. KWAME has managed several, landmark construction projects in St. Louis, such as Lambert-St. Louis International Airport’s Expansion Program, MSD Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant, The St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium, the STL City SC MLS Stadium, and several K-12 Bond Programs and higher education campus expansions such as Normandy School District, University City School District, St. Louis Public Schools, Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis Community College and Maryville University.

Mr. Thompson founded the Kwame Charitable Foundation, whose mission is to financially assist deserving students pursuing higher education.

Anthony Thompson is a highly respected and proud member of the St. Louis community. He has been a mentor to the youth as well as role model and member of many civic, charitable, and professional organizations.

OUTSTANDING Fundraising Professional
Bret L. Heinrich, MFA, CFRE

Bret Heinrich is a nonprofit leader with 30 years of experience in the sector. With nearly a decade of service at the C-Suite level, first as Chief Development Officer at St. Andrew's Foundation and then as President and CEO of Wings of Hope, and today as Executive Director of Development at The Salvation Army, Midland Division, Bret is skilled at board development, fundraising, strategic planning and organizational leadership. Bret has taught of the University College faculty at Washington University in St. Louis where he teaches nonprofit leadership, and also teaches in the Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University, and at the Valdry Center for Philanthropy at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Bret served on the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Global Board of Directors from 2014-2022 and is a Past-President of the AFP St. Louis Regional Chapter. He has held elected positions on two public school boards of education and achieved Advanced Board Member Certification through the Missouri School Boards’ Association. He is a Past-President of the Kirkwood School District Foundation and served with the Kirkwood Arts Foundation Board of Directors. Bret serves as Vice Chair on the Oasis Board of Directors in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bret frequently appears on podcasts about nonprofit leadership and fundraising, and he has made presentations throughout the United States and abroad. 

Bret has a bachelor’s degree in English from Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois, and an MFA from Western Illinois University, in Macomb Illinois. In 2005, Bret earned his Certified Fundraising Executive credential. He is an ordained minister through the General Council of Christian Churches. Bret and his family reside in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Community Impact Award
Action St. Louis - The People's Response

Action St. Louis is a Black-led, grassroots organization founded in 2016 with a mission to build political power in disenfranchised (Black) communities in the St. Louis region.  Rooted in the legacy of the Ferguson Uprising, Action builds campaigns that combine organizing, advocacy, communications, leadership development, and direct action to mitigate immediate harm and advance long-term transformation. Our vision is bold: a region where Black people are empowered to take bold action towards transforming our own communities, making St. Louis a place where every Black life is valued and affirmed. Through organizing, we envision building communities that are free from oppressive institutions and all forms of violence and replaced by systems of care and liberation.

Action’s core campaigns reflect this vision in action. Through electoral justice, we expand democracy by mobilizing thousands of Black voters, registering new voters, and shifting elections across the region.  Through leadership development, we invest in the next generation of Black movement builders via programs like the Black Organizing Summer School (BOSS) and The People’s Response Fellowships, training fellows to lead grassroots campaigns and carry forward a legacy of power. As we work to establish non-carceral solutions to public safety, we fight to reduce the footprint of police and jails while advancing community-based solutions.

At the heart of our work is housing justice, which remains a leading and urgent priority. This became even more apparent during and after the May 16th EF3 tornado that ripped through North St. Louis.  As a result of this crisis, The People’s Response was born, a hub for disaster relief, mutual aid, and connecting residents to critical resources. This first phase was about care, survival, and solidarity, meeting urgent needs when systems failed. Now, in Phase Two, The People’s Response is evolving from immediate relief into long-term organizing. Through fellowships and campaigns, we are equipping directly impacted residents to lead recovery efforts, demand equitable disaster policies, and fight for housing justice. This is how we move from emergency response toward building a permanent framework of resilience—ensuring that when the next crisis comes, our communities are not only cared for but organized to win lasting change.
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