This year marks NASW’s 60th anniversary, and the NASW Foundation has announced the “60 for 60” fundraising campaign in recognition of the milestone.

The campaign honors NASW’s accomplishments over the last 60 years and promotes the social work profession’s contributions to bring major positive changes in American society.

Social workers advocated for the creation of programs like Medicare and Medicaid to provide health care to vulnerable populations, including older Americans and the poor; voting rights for all Americans; and equal right for African-Americans, women and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The campaign also is a way to help sustain the next 60 years and ensure that “Social Work Paves the Way for Change.”

NASW Social Work Pioneer® and Foundation board member Bernice Harper led efforts to collect the first 60 donations in the amount of $60 – and multiples of $60 — from Pioneer steering committee members, friends and colleagues, as well as NASW members, leaders and staff.

NASW Social Work Pioneer® Bernice Harper (photo right) hands over a collection of donations to the NASW Foundation at the launch of the “60 for 60” fundraising campaign. Harper said EBIG stands for “everybody is giving.” From left: Harper; Bob Arnold, NASW Foundation director; and Betsy Vourlekis and Jesse Harris, co-chairs of the Pioneer steering committee. Photo by Rena Malai/NASW News

At the Pioneers’ quarterly steering committee meeting — held in June at the NASW national office — Harper officially gave a notebook of $60 donations to NASW Foundation Director Bob Arnold. Harper and several Pioneers worked to collect the donations in the weeks leading up to the meeting.

“Today is a day that marks the dedication of all of us to keep the social work profession strong,” Harper said. “We are all pioneers who have blazed a trail for the generations behind to continue what we started.”

The campaign will be ongoing throughout the year, and welcomes donations in any amount.