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Woods named fundraising professional of the year

Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 | 

Arthur C. Woods III, associate headmaster and chief development officer at Lipscomb Academy, has been named “Fundraising Professional of the Year” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Nashville chapter.

Woods was honored at the organization’s annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 7 at the Music City Center. Singer-songwriter Vince Gill was also recognized at the event as “Philanthropist of the Year,” for humanitarian work throughout his career. More than 500 people attended the luncheon, which recognized individuals and organizations for their contributions to numerous charities and causes in the Nashville area.

“This is an incredibly humbling honor because there are so many people out there doing great work in our city,” said Woods. “It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers. My work at Lipscomb Academy is very rewarding because I have the opportunity to build relationships with incredible people, and they are what makes Nashville such a dynamic and caring city.”

Other award recipients included:

  • Nashville Predators Foundation – Corporate Philanthropist of the Year
  • Carol Daniels – Fundraising Volunteer of the Year
  • Youth Services Design Team – Youth Fundraising Volunteers of the Year

Woods joined the Lipscomb Academy administration in February 2012. During his tenure he has expanded the school’s development efforts and implemented new strategies for growing the endowment, increasing fundraising revenue and expanding the donor base at Lipscomb Academy, which is the largest PreK-12 private school in Middle Tennessee.

Woods has more than 23 years of development experience. Prior to his role at Lipscomb Academy, Woods served as director of development for AGAPE, a nonprofit organization serving Middle Tennessee through adoption, foster care and faith-based counseling among other services, for 14 years.

Prior to his work at AGAPE, Woods worked at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., for eight years as a development officer as well as a major gifts officer and university liaison for Harding’s President’s Council. He began his career as an executive buyer and manager for Dillard’s Department Store’s corporate office in Little Rock, Ark., where he was responsible for the purchasing, marketing and selling of more than $20 million annually in merchandise for 18 stores throughout the South and Southwest.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents 30,000 fundraisers in more than 222 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. The AFP Nashville Chapter, which represents more than 125 fundraisers, fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.