Annual Awards

Celebrate the Capital Region's Champions of Philanthropy

We invite you to join us at United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s Annual Awards, celebrating our Campaign Champions, organizations, and individuals who invested more than $4M to support the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. 

The evening will pay tribute to our region’s most generous philanthropists as we induct the 2024 Class into the Capital Region Philanthropy Hall of Fame and reveal the Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year!

Annual Awards Logo

Fall 2024

*Dress to impress on the red carpet*

Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Join us in June for Annual Awards, where we will reveal the Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year!

This award is chosen through a community-driven selection process to recognize the extraordinary generosity of an individual who has made a lasting impact in the Capital Region. This award recognizes the achievements and contributions of individuals who have given their time, talent, and treasure to impact our community positively. This honor will be awarded to an individual who has made a lasting impact in the Capital Region by:

  • Going above and beyond as a volunteer with an organization(s); 
  • Leading or establishing a non-profit organization that is making a significant difference in our community; 
  • Contributing a generous donation(s) to an organization(s) or cause(s). 

Follow us on social as we announce the finalists for the next Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year!

Submit your nomination for Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year!

PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE

Charles Day
Albany Med
UWGCR Board of Directors

Annmarie Lanesey
Albany Can Code
2019 Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Brian Brosen
Capital Team at eXp Realty
2020 Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Jammella Anderson
Free Food Fridge
2021 Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Ben Williams
Connect Center
2022 Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Capital Region Philanthropy Hall of Fame

The Capital Region Philanthropy Hall of Fame is a tribute to the citizens who have given so much to improve the quality of life for others.

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

2019
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson &
Dr. Morris Washington

Neil & Jane Golub

2020
James J Barba, JD

2021
The Late Father Peter G Young

2022
John & Lynda Kearney

2023
W. Brian Barr

2023 Annual Awards Honorees

Paul Collins-Hackett (Batman)

Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Paul "Batman" Collins-Hackett

About Batman  |  The RED Bookshelf

Brian Barr

Capital Region Hall of Fame Inductee

W. Brian Barr

About W. Brian

2022 Annual Awards Honorees

Ben Williams

Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Ben Williams

About Ben  |  Connect Center

John and Lynda Kearney Standing together

Capital Region Hall of Fame Inductee

John & Lynda Kearney

About John & Lynda

2021 Annual Awards Honorees

Jammella Anderson

Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Jammella Anderson

About Jammella  |  Free Food Fridge Albany

Father Peter G. Young

Capital Region Hall of Fame Inductee

The Late Father Peter G. Young

A pioneer in substance abuse treatment 

About Father Young

2020 Annual Awards Honorees 

Brian Brosen, POY 2020

Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Brian Brosen

Meet Brian  |  The Capital Team at eXp Realty 

James Barba, 2020 HOF

Capital Region Hall of Fame Inductee 

James J. Barba, JD

President Emeritus, Albany Med 

Side by Side video clip

2020 Annual Awards Ceremony

Don't miss the Virtual Cocktail Hour performance by Wild Adriatic

Watch Now

2019 Annual Awards Honorees

2019 Annual Awards Recap Video

Annmarie Lanesey, 2019 POY

Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year

Annmarie Lanesey

Albany Can Code

Neil Golub, 2019 HOF

Capital Region Hall of Fame Inductee 

Neil & Jane* Golub

* of blessed memory

Jackson and Washington, 2019 HOF

Capital Region Hall of Fame Inductee 

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson & Dr. Morris Washington