If you ask any working parent about their experience over the past year, you are likely to hear a lot about the daily challenges nestled alongside the blessings that come with living, working and parenting young children through a pandemic. It has been tough to juggle work, childcare responsibilities and remote learning schedules (that vary by child). Finding blocks of uninterrupted time to focus seem to take coordination and pre-planning previously reserved for executing on the most lavish of galas. Setting up systems to keep the kids contained (and not jumping on the couch in the background of a Zoom meeting) takes a new level of parental creativity and innovation.

There are bright moments too. No long commutes mean almost always being home for dinner and bedtime stories, and time for lunchbreak walks as the weather warms up. Managing together through this crisis has instilled a sense of resiliency in our kids. They are learning from us how to push through tough times, how to adapt to whatever curve balls come their way, and knowing that working together, we will get through this. We are grateful (and fortunate) for the help of our extended families and loved ones, supportive employers and clients, a network of understanding colleagues, and the resources to help us navigate through the past year.

The pandemic’s effects have been particularly acute for working moms who found their employment, childcare and school routines suddenly disrupted last March, and found themselves having to choose between family and career. According to the National Women’s Law Center, more than 2.3 million women have left the labor market since the pandemic began, numbers not seen since 1988. Many of the women leaving the work force are working moms, particularly Black and Latinx moms; this loss of women in the workforce is likely to exacerbate economic and racial disparities in addition to pay equity. While we do not know exactly how this plays out in the fundraising sector, anecdotally this tension between work and family has been a stressor felt for many of our colleagues.

As the world begins to open once again, workplaces are starting to imagine what it might look like to be back in the office. Some are planning to go fully remote, others are exploring a hybrid model, and some are expecting to be back full-time before the end of the year. As working moms, we know that we will need to adjust yet again and know that our children will soon be fully back in-person at childcare centers, school facilities and afterschool programs.

But this time, we can be better prepared than we were at the onset of the pandemic. AFP Global just launched its first Working Moms Affinity Group this past week, to allow space for working moms to share their experiences and creative ideas for managing work and family during this transition period. Please visit the AFP Global website for future meetings. We are also interested in hearing from local moms (and dads!) to see what resources you might be interested in as we navigate the road ahead. Send us a note – AFP Chicago would love to hear your ideas!

Becoming a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) signals commitment, competence and credibility. To earn a CFRE, fundraising professionals must document their professional performance, education and professional practice as well as pass the CFRE exam.

We congratulate the following members on this career-defining achievement and for committing to uphold the highest standards in our profession:

AFP Chicago is proud to support our members, respect their opinions and encourage open dialogue. Not only do our members touch and define the Chicagoland philanthropic community, but their voices are also heard, in some cases, around the country and beyond.

Just in case you missed the April 1, 2021 Advancing Philanthropy, AFP Chicago and our members were highlighted in two very significant articles.

If you have news to share relating to the fundraising industry please email your story and a photo to info@afpchicago.org. Submissions will be subject to approval.

In advance of the session please either read the Simon Sinek Book – Start With Why or watch Simon Sinek’s TED Talk – How Great Leaders Inspire Action. These resources will provide a good baseline for our discussion.

In the U.S. and Canada, we recognize and celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander heritage throughout the month of May. Check out this article to learn about the evolution of API month and how you can serve as an ally to the community. (Good Housekeeping)

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To search for jobs or post a job visit the Job Source page on the AFP Chicago website.

Through June 30, all AFP members can use a one-time coupon code to receive $40 off the AFP Global online learning opportunity of their choice. This includes upcoming premium webinars, archived webinars or any other online learning session.

Planning to attend AFP ICON VIRTUAL June 28-30? We hope so! AFP Global has extended the Advance Pricing Discount to May 14! This virtual-only event will include keynote speakers Heather McGhee and Wes Moore; timely education sessions covering major gift fundraising, planned giving, ethics, and much more; and networking opportunities with fundraisers from around the world!

Are you interested in having thoughtful conversation with like-minded fundraising professionals related to various topics in fundraising on a global level? Consider registering for one of AFP Global's upcoming affinity group meetings!

Aniqa Ahmed, Easterseals

Timmy Arnold, The Honeycomb Project

Lauren Desimone, Metropolitan Family Services

Megan Farris, Rush University Medical Center

Myetie Hamilton, City Year

Kenzie Hunt, Envision Unlimited

Maggie Lin, Merit School of Music

Michael Mayberry, JDRF Illinois

Michelle Rashad, Imagine Englewood If...

Luisa Sosa, Marwen

Margaret Vagnoni, Auction & Event Solutions

If your name is not included, please contact Shawn Jezak at shawn@afpchicago.org.

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