The Greater Springfield Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (GSAFP) recently honored Rick Incorvati, Wittenberg professor of English, and Tom Stafford, Wittenberg class of 1976, virtually during National Philanthropy Day, Thursday, Nov. 12.
Incorvati accepted the award for Outstanding Faith-Based Coalition on behalf of Becoming Beloved Community (BBC), a nonprofit that is the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, with a mission of dreaming and working to foster beloved communities where all people may experience dignity and abundant life and see themselves and others as beloved children of God. Incorvati serves as coordinator of the BBC and a Deacon at Christ Episcopal Church.
According to the GSAFP, the 2019 BBC’s speaker series consisted of six events and subsequent grants promoting an understanding of the history of racial conflict, while explaining the social and psychological forces underlying racial divisions in the Springfield community.
Incorvati, who joined Wittenberg's Department of English in 2002, teaches courses in British Romanticism, gender-queer literature, and social advocacy writing. He has edited two novels, Manthorn and Alwyn, and The Gentleman Comedian, both by playwright and social reformer Thomas Holcroft. Incorvati’s article on Holcroft and rhetoric appears in Reviewing Thomas Holcroft.
Stafford, a former Springfield News-Sun columnist and employee, is currently a freelance-writer living in Springfield. He received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award for a column he wrote in March 2020 recommending that recipients of stimulus funds donate dollars to local nonprofits. To date, the “1200 Club” has raised more than $130,000 for the Second Harvest Food Bank and other local nonprofits. Stafford is also a former adjunct professor in Wittenberg’s Department of English and current advisor for Wittenberg’s student newspaper, The Torch.
Throughout the month of November, the AFP is highlighting honorees from National Philanthropy Day chapter events around the world, showcasing donors, volunteers, corporations, foundations, and others for their commitment to change and philanthropy.
According to its website, the Greater Springfield Chapter of AFP is the newest chapter in Ohio, offering members the opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage in creative thinking, network with new friends, and achieve great results in their work. Since its first meeting at Wittenberg University in May 2017, the chapter has focused on delivering innovative educational programs. GSAFP became the ninth chapter in Ohio in November 2017 and currently has approximately 30 members from more than 25 organizations.
