A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation in Southern California Receives Outstanding Foundation Honor

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, located in Irvine, California, and one of the region's philanthropic leaders, has been named the 2014 Outstanding Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The foundation will receive its honor at the National Philanthropy Day® Honors: A Celebration of People and Impact awards event on November 15 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Passionate about philanthropy, A. Gary Anderson established the beginning of the foundation before his untimely passing at the age of 52. Now his children, Erin Lastinger and Erik Anderson, along with Erin's husband Gary, have continued his legacy, investing almost $46 million to over 200 organizations since 1994.

Just some of the organizations the foundation has supported include Chapman University, the University of California Riverside Foundation, the Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Children's Fund.  The foundation has worked with many charities to re-evaluate their methods, leading to improved program delivery, partnerships and outreach for fundraising.

The foundation has also focused significant funds on serving youth. Through a longtime partnership with Children's Fund, the foundation has provided instrumental support to the Children's Assessment Center, where abused and neglected children in San Bernardino County receive medical assessment of their injuries, tell their story just once to all appropriate investigative personnel, and receive therapy and referrals to ongoing resources—all in a child-friendly environment.

"The A. Gary Anderson Foundation was established by my father with the express desire to help at-risk youth," says Erin Lastinger. "It is our mission and passion to carry on my father's legacy to support these children. Our family will continue to do everything in our power to protect and serve our kids in this community."

The National Philanthropy Day® Honors recognize outstanding leadership, commitment and generosity in philanthropy. The A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation is one of six finalists who will be honored on National Philanthropy Day®. More information can be found at www.npdlove.com.

Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has advanced effective and ethical philanthropy for the world's largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP's more than 30,000 members raise more than $100 billion annually. For more information, go to www.afpnet.org.

CONTACT: Michael Nilsen, Vice President, Public Affairs, (425) 241-4675

SOURCE Association of Fundraising Professionals