Citing her breadth of work in philanthropy and fundraising
to benefit J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Mechanicsville resident
Elizabeth S. “Bess” Littlefield is the 2016 recipient of the Nina Abady Award
presented by the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE).
“Her strategic vision for advancing our mission goes beyond
fundraising,” said Reynolds President Gary L. Rhodes. “Bess is masterful at
positioning the college’s strengths to increase access to higher education for
all individuals in our community, regardless of circumstance.”
Nina Abady was a Richmond icon known for her passion for
supporting the arts. Downtown Presents,
Friday Cheers, The Big Gig and the Second
Street Festival were among the flagship civic events Ms. Abady founded
before her death in 1993. The VAFRE award bearing her name is presented to a
Virginia fundraising professional who has demonstrated excellence in the field
of development.
“Development professionals are typically behind the scenes
because we want our donors to be the ones who shine,” Littlefield said. “Having
the spotlight on me is a little unfamiliar, but I am deeply honored to have my
peers choose me for this award. Nina Abady was more than a fundraiser and
founding member of VAFRE; she was a force. It’s special that, as a community,
we can remember her inclusiveness and vision, and continue building upon it.”
Littlefield has helped grow the endowment of the J. Sargeant
Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation from a modest figure when she
began her tenure in 1996 to more than $10 million in assets. The Educational
Foundation provides approximately $1 million annually to support instruction at
Reynolds, including upwards of $500,000 in scholarship funding for students
each year.
Littlefield and husband Mike Edwards have lived in
Mechanicsville since 1995. Their son
Jack Edwards graduated from Hanover High School before earning a degree from
UVA. “Our two Corgis help fill up our recent ‘empty nest.’ I count them among
my many blessings in life,” said Littlefield.
