National Philanthropy Day (NPD) is an annual day of recognition on November 15 that honors the extraordinary contributions of philanthropy, grassroots volunteers, donors, and non-profit leaders who transform communities through selfless giving.
National Philanthropy Day was conceived in 1985 by Southern California attorney and philanthropic consultant Douglas Freeman. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed an official presidential proclamation declaring November 15 as National Philanthropy Day, praising the American tradition of neighborly volunteerism and charitable enterprise. In 2012, Canada officially recognized National Philanthropy Day through parliamentary legislation (the National Philanthropy Day Act), making it the first country to enact NPD into permanent federal law. Managed internationally by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), NPD ceremonies are held in more than 130 communities annually, bestowing awards on youth philanthropists, community foundations, volunteer leaders, and civic organizations whose generosity addresses poverty, healthcare disparities, education, and cultural preservation.
