The AFP/Skystone Partners
Prize for Research

The Award

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The AFP Research Council awards the Skystone Partners Prize for Research annually to the author of a book that contributes substantially to the knowledge and understanding of fundraising or philanthropic behavior. Prize winners receive a cash award of $3,000 and are honored at the AFP International Conference on Fundraising.

Authors of published works on research in fundraising and philanthropy are invited to submit a book or monograph or a peer-reviewed article for the Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy. Other individuals or organizations can nominate appropriate publications.

To be considered for the prize, works must be:

  • A book or monograph of 50 or more pages.

  • Published by a commercial publishing house or a professional organization during the 23 months preceding the current deadline (November 1 of each year).

  • Based on either applied or basic research.

  • Reflect a standard publisher selection process without regard to the source and sponsorship of the research.

Learn about the judging criteria on the AFP website:

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Prize Winners

  • 2023-2024

    Dr. Jen Shang
    Dr. Adrian Sargeant

    Meaningful Philanthropy: The Person Behind the Giving

  • 2022-2023

    Aaron Conley, Ed.D.
    Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D.

    Fundraising Principles for Faculty and Academic Leaders

  • 2021-2022

    Beth Breeze, Ph.D.

    In Defence of Philanthropy

  • 2020-2021

    Tyrone McKinley Freeman, Ph.D.

    Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy During Jim Crow

  • 2019-2020 (Dual Awardees)

    Cassandra Chapman, Barbara Masser and Winnifred Louis

    “The Champion Effect in Peer-to-Peer Giving: Successful Campaigns Highlight Fundraisers More than Causes”

    Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Oct. 2019

    Sara Konrath, Indiana University, and Femida Handy

    “The Development and Validation of the Motives to Donate Scale”

    Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, April 2018

  • 2018-2019

    Michael Moody and Sharna Goldseker

    Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving

  • 2017-2018

    Beth Breeze

    The New Fundraisers: Who Organizes Charitable Giving in Contemporary Society?

  • 2016-2017

    Dr. Lilya Wagner, Ed.D., CFRE

    Diversity and Philanthropy: Expanding the Circle of Giving

  • 2015-2016

    Marilyn Taylor, Robert Strom, and David Renz

    Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurs’ Engagement in Philanthropy: Perspectives

  • 2014-2015

    Penelope Cagney, CFRE and Bernard Ross

    Global Fundraising: How the World is Changing the Rules of Philanthropy

  • 2013-2014

    Noah Drezner

    Expanding the Donor Base in Higher Education: Engaging Non-Traditional Donors

  • 2012-2013

    Brian Sagrestano and Robert Wahlers

    The Philanthropic Planning Companion

  • 2011-2012

    Robert M. Penna

    The Nonprofit Outcomes Toolbox: A Complete Guide to Program Effectiveness, Performance Measurement and Results

  • 2010-2011

    Michael Rosen

    Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing

  • 2009-2010

    Rachel M. McCleary, Ph.D.

    Global Compassion: Private Voluntary Organizations and US Foreign Policy Since 1939

  • 2008-2009

    Paul Brest and Hal Harvey

    Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy

  • 2007-2008

    Leslie R. Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant

    Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits

  • 2006-2007

    Emily Barman

    Contesting Communities: The Transformation of Workplace Charity

  • 2005-2006

    Marybeth Gasman and Katherine V. Sedgwick

    Uplifting a People: African American Philanthropy and Education

  • 2004-2005

    Richard P. Chait, William P. Ryan, and Barbara E. Taylor

    Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards

  • 2003-2004

    Lawrence J. Friedman and Mark D. McGarvie

    Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History

  • 2002-2003

    Diana S. Newman, CFRE

    Opening Doors: Pathways to Diverse Donors

  • 2001-2002

    Lilya Wagner

    Careers in Fundraising

  • 2000-2001

    Marilyn Fischer

    Ethical Decision Making in Fund Raising

  • 1999-2000

    Katelyn Quynn and Ron Jordan

    Planned Giving: Management, Marketing and Law

  • 1998-1999

    Robert Fry, Jr.

    Nonprofit Investment Policies: Practical Steps for Growing Charitable Funds

  • 1997-1998

    Kathleen Kelly

    Effective Fund-Raising Management

  • 1996-1997

    Dwight Burlingame and Dennis Young

    Corporate Philanthropy at the Crossroads

  • 1995-1996

    Douglas White

    The Art of Planned Giving: Understanding Donors and the Culture of Giving

  • 1994-1995

    Mike Martin

    Virtuous Giving: Philanthropy, Voluntary Service and Caring

  • 1993-1994 (Dual Awardees)

    Lucy Rose Fischer and Kay Banister Schaffer

    Older Volunteers: A Guide to Research and Practice

    Joseph Mixer

    Principles of Professional Fund Raising

  • 1992-1993

    Roger Lohmann

    The Commons: New Perspectives on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action

  • 1991-1992

    Henry Rosso

    Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising

  • 1990-1991

    Bruce Hopkins

    The Law of Fund Raising