Canine Companions’ Meredith Harrison earns national fundraising honor after leading innovative event strategies that generated more than $6.3 million while expanding community engagement, volunteerism and awareness of the life-changing impact of service dogs.
Santa Rosa, CA – Canine Companions Senior Events Manager Meredith Harrison has been named the recipient of the Fundraiser of the Year Award at Bloomerang’s second annual Givie Awards, presented during GiveCon 2026.
The Fundraiser of the Year Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional skill, creativity and innovation in advancing a nonprofit mission through fundraising excellence and community engagement.
Harrison was recognized for developing and leading a national events strategy that generated more than $6.3 million in 2025 while expanding awareness, volunteer engagement and support for Canine Companions’ mission to provide expertly trained service dogs, free of charge, to adults, children and veterans with disabilities.
As Senior Events Manager, Harrison oversees national event strategy and collaborates with regional teams to execute a diverse portfolio of fundraising and community engagement initiatives, ranging from local awareness events and volunteer activations to DogFest celebrations and signature Sit. Stay. Sparkle. gala experiences.
Her approach centers on transforming community participation into lasting mission impact by creating scalable event frameworks that regional teams can adapt to their local audiences. Under her leadership, Canine Companions has strengthened its ability to engage donors, volunteers, corporate partners, graduates, puppy raisers and supporters nationwide, building a stronger community around the organization’s mission while generating critical funding to help reduce wait times for those in need of a service dog.
“Meredith’s leadership, creativity and unwavering commitment to our mission have elevated the way Canine Companions engages communities across the country,” said Paige Mazzoni, chief executive officer of Canine Companions. “She understanding that our events are about much more than fundraising, they are opportunities to educate, inspire and connect people to a mission that changes lives every day. We are incredibly proud of Meredith and grateful for the impact she continues to make on our organization, our volunteers, our supporters and the individuals we serve.”
“This recognition reflects the passion and dedication of our entire Canine Companions community,” said Harrison. “Every event is powered by volunteers, supporters, clients, staff and donors who believe in creating greater independence for people with disabilities. I’m honored to be part of an organization where community engagement and mission impact go hand in hand.”
As part of the recognition, Canine Companions will receive a donation of $1,102 from Bloomerang in support of its mission to provide expertly trained service dogs and ongoing support services free of charge to individuals with disabilities.
“The Givies celebrate and recognize the unwavering dedication and creativity of nonprofit leaders,” noted Ann Fellman, chief marketing officer for Bloomerang. “It’s a privilege to spotlight these organizations and inspire others in the sector to reach new heights.”
The Givie Awards were presented at GiveCon 2026, Bloomerang’s annual conference bringing together nonprofit professionals from across the country to explore fundraising innovation, donor engagement and campaign strategy. The second annual GiveCon featured CFRE-accredited sessions, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities designed to equip nonprofits with the tools they need to thrive.