Knight Foundation was recently honored  by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Charlotte Chapter as the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in the city.

For the last 20 years on National Philanthropy Day, the association has recognized individuals and organizations for their commitment to the sector. More than 500 attended this year’s awards luncheon.

Susan Patterson, program director/Charlotte at Knight Foundation, accepted the award. “I was honored to represent Knight at this event,” she said, “but as I told our many nonprofit partners in the room, we wanted to use this opportunity to salute them and all that they do to make our community such a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

Knight has invested more than $75 million in the Charlotte community since making its first grant in 1969.

The foundation was nominated by one of its grantees, the Community School of the Arts. Former winners selected the nine awardees.

Among other award-winners was Porter Byrum, a 92-year-old retired lawyer, who received the Outstanding Philanthropist award. Byrum, who thanked the audience from a wheelchair, donated a popular shopping center to three universities that shared the $80 million it yielded when it sold.

A full list of the winners is available online.

Related: “National Philanthropy Day Charlotte 2012” on Storify