Kelley Tuthill Receives Outstanding Fundraiser Award from Association of Fundraising Professionals

Catholic Charities Boston President & CEO Kelley Tuthill’s first foray into fundraising, many years ago, was ringing a bell for the Salvation Army in Downtown Crossing during the holidays. 

On Thursday, Nov. 12, at the UMass Club on the 32nd floor of One Beacon Plaza overlooking Downtown Crossing, she accepted the 2026 Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Massachusetts Chapter.

“Throughout my career as a journalist, a higher education leader, and now a nonprofit executive, I have learned that every organization has a story to tell and every person has a story worth hearing,” Tuthill said in her remarks. “Those stories are often what inspire the most meaningful generosity because they connect people’s values to a mission.” 

More than 200 people attended the awards ceremony, which celebrates exceptional philanthropists, corporations, foundations, volunteers, and fundraisers from across the Commonwealth. AFP Massachusetts is a regional network that empowers ethical fundraising through education, advocacy, and professional development. 

 In addition to Tuthill, this year’s honorees were Lee Pelton, former President and CEO of The Boston Foundation, famed road race director Dave McGillivray, Breaktime Co-Founder and CEO Connor Schoen, philanthropists Demond and Kia Martin, the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, and TJX Companies. 

During Tuthill’s tenure, the growth of Catholic Charities’ philanthropic efforts, as well as engagement from donors and external partners, has marked a new chapter for the agency. 

This recognition from AFP comes as Catholic Charities completes one of its most successful fundraising years ever, including new records for money raised at Spring Celebration and the Ash Wednesday parish collection. This summer the agency also launched the 250 for 250 initiative that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support clients in need of emergency financial assistance.  

“It’s an honor to honor Kelley Tuthill and her tremendous impact on the Boston community,” said David Brown, President of AFP Massachusetts and a former colleague of Tuthill’s at WCVB-TV. 

In her remarks, Tuthill reflected on the courage and resilience of Catholic Charities Boston’s clients whose stories are the inspiration for donors’ compassionate giving. 

“We can do this important work thanks to the generosity of so many individuals, foundations, and businesses in our city,” she said. “We build bridges that help our neighbors move from crisis to sustainability and from uncertainty to hope.”