The PVF Roundtable received the 2024 Outstanding Community Service Organization Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Houston Chapter (AFP-GHC).
President Sara Alford accepted the honor at AFP-GHC’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon.
AFP is a global organization with over 30,000 members across 230 chapters worldwide. Its mission is to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs, fostering the development of fundraising professionals while promoting high ethical standards in the profession.
AFP-GHC is the seventh largest chapter globally, with more than 600 members collaborating with donors, volunteers, foundations and corporations. Its mission is to "change the world with a collaborative heart" across various sectors, including education, healthcare, the environment and the arts. Since its inception in 1986, AFP-GHC’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon has become one of the largest such celebrations in the country and a premier event recognizing community volunteers and philanthropy in the Greater Houston area. The PVF Roundtable is deeply honored to receive this prestigious award.
PVF Roundtable honored with community service award
PVF Board Members
Operated entirely by volunteers, the PVF Roundtable has surpassed $2 million in scholarship donations, supporting students pursuing careers in PVF trades such as petroleum engineering, welding and pipefitting. The organization’s focus on fostering future leaders in the PVF industry extends to creating pathways for scholarship recipients to secure employment at member companies like ExxonMobil and Ferguson Industrial. This initiative aims to create a positive ripple effect throughout the community.
"The next step is to ensure these graduates receive training for their new careers in the PVF market," Alford said. "We are currently developing a members-only online training course featuring videos and materials provided by industry engineers and specialists. These resources cover topics like valves, flanges, pipes and pressures, and are shared by member companies ready to hire these graduates. While many members attend our events for networking opportunities, the real impact lies in providing scholarships that enable students to join the field, enhancing efficiency and innovation in our industry."
The PVF Roundtable is striving to achieve $3 million in scholarship donations by 2026. Its 2025 event lineup includes the PVF Young Professionals Committee Sporting Clays Classic, the Cocktails and Commerce Tabletop Trade Show, the annual golf tournament at The Clubs of Kingwood and the TroutBlast fishing tournament in Matagorda, Texas.
"Receiving this award felt like a thank you from the community," said Jamie Meade, PVF Roundtable board member. "It’s not why we do this, but it’s gratifying to be recognized for our hard work and volunteer efforts.
Long-standing board members like Steve Letko of Weldbend remember when we raised just $13,000 annually. "To see how far we’ve come is incredible. I’m so proud of our growth and excited for what’s ahead in 2025."
Alford, who grew up near the refineries of Baytown, Texas, takes immense pride in giving back to the O&G community.
"The Roundtable has grown significantly over the past five years, far exceeding our expectations. Membership increases have nearly doubled our annual scholarship donations. Being recognized as the Outstanding Community Service Organization by AFPGHC validates the social responsibility we hold dear. We are committed to advocating for positive change within the oil and gas sector on an even larger scale," she said.
The PVF Roundtable’s dedication to supporting education, fostering career growth and giving back to the community continues to create lasting impacts, earning well-deserved recognition for its efforts.
For more information, visit pvf.org.
