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Letter from the President

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this finds you looking forward to closing out your fiscal year and taking some long breaths this summer. When you are at your desks, remember that you’ll have an opportunity to exchange ideas and get opinions from your colleagues at our monthly Zoom Coffee Connections from 9-10am. Thank you Chief Development Officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital Diane Dukette for facilitating the discussions on Tues. June 20, Mon. 7/24, and Wed. 8/23.

Our AFP-WMA Chapter is grateful to Bay Path University for hosting our first Fundamentals of Fundraising course in 3 years this March. Read more below about Bay Path’s nonprofit management and philanthropy graduate programs to help you advance your career.

One of the most important reasons to be a member of AFP is to support their legislative advocacy efforts. Make sure you take a look at the article in this issue about the new Charitable Act that would restore universal charitable deductions and motivate donors to give. We urge you to contact your legislators about supporting this important bill. 

In closing, I want to send appreciation to Wendell Pennell and Ipsita Ganguli who recently stepped down from the AFP-WMA Chapter Board. We are pleased to welcome Director of Resource Development, United Way of North Central Massachusetts Jaclyn Mayo as our Board Secretary pre-term. Please reach out to us at afpwma@gmail.com if you’d like to join us in planning educational programs for our Chapter.

Warmly and in gratitude for all you do to power the mission of nonprofits in our region,

Lisa Middents
President, Board of Directors
AFP-WMA
Are you looking to make a difference?

The Bay Path University M.S. in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy (NMP) and M.S. in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy (SFP) degree programs serve adult learners seeking to impact social change and advance their careers. The M.S. Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy program prepares students with the organizational, planning, and strategic decision-making skills needed to be an effective organizational and program leader. The M.S. Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy program prepares students with the organizational and tactical skills needed to lead a donor-centric approach to philanthropy in support of the mission.
Both degree programs are offered fully online allowing working adults the opportunity to gain their graduate degree in one to two years. Our small class sizes and personalized attention combined with the ability to apply what you learn in real-time, will prepare you to assess, problem solve and meet the challenges of 21st century nonprofit organizations. With a diverse student body, all united in their commitment to improving the lives of the people in the communities in which they work and live, the programs prepare students to become leaders in the field.

Watch / Read What Alumni are Saying!

"The Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy graduate program was exactly what I was looking for! The program not only gave me a tangible set of tools, but it also gave me the confidence to lead. The relevant coursework, opportunities to meet other professionals in the field and the guidance received from the instructors were invaluable to my professional growth. It absolutely prepared me for the executive leadership position I have now.”
~ Nicole Blais, Alum

Please Join Us!
Lend Your Support to the Charitable Act

One of the issues that AFP has been keeping tabs on the last few years is the universal charitable deduction. During the pandemic, the CARES Act permitted eligible individuals who do not itemize deductions to deduct $300 of qualified charitable contribution. This universal charitable deduction was extended through 2021, however, the effort to extend the deduction through 2022 (The Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act) was unsuccessful.
Now, AFP is pleased to lend their support to a bipartisan bill, the Charitable Act, introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) on March 1, 2023.
Top 10 Reasons for Joining AFP
1. Proclaim your professionalism.
2. Advertise your integrity.
3. Advance your career.
4. Further your cause.
5. Network with others who do what you do.
6. Advocate for your profession.
7. Serve your profession.
8. Don't reinvent the wheel – use available resources.
9. Play a part in elevating the status of the fundraising profession.
10. Do it for YOURSELF!
It's all about YOU, the fundraising professional. AFP's educational, networking, and career planning programs will take you where you want to go!

Visit Benefits of Membership for a list of all benefits you'll receive as an AFP member. If you have questions about AFP membership, visit FAQs.

Welcome to our latest NEW and RENEWED Members:
Susan Kimball Halpern, VP of Philanthropy, JGS Administrative Services
Beverly Herbert, Principal, The Herbert Group
Kate Lawless, Communications Director, FRCOG (Franklin Regional Association of Governments) 
Jaclyn Mayo, Director of Resource Development, United Way
Dorene Pennell, Chapter Administrator, AFP-WMA
Stacey Price, Specialist, Dakin Humane Society
Thompson, Director of Development, The Consortium
Save the Dates:
JUNE Virtual Coffee Connection
Tuesday, June 20 | 9-10am

JULY Virtual Coffee Connection
Monday, July 24 | 9-10am

AUGUST Virtual Coffee Connection
Wednesday, Aug 23 | 9-10am
Call for AFP-WMA Sponsorship:
AFP Western Massachusetts Chapter invites sponsor partners to help provide high-quality educational programs and professional networking opportunities for development profressionals in our region and beyond.

For a more detailed explanation of the sponsorship levels and benefits, please email us at afpwma@gmail.com. AFP Chapter Board members would be happy to answer questions about the sponsorship levels & benefits.
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The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) empowers individuals and organizations to practice ethical fundraising through professional education, networking, research and advocacy. Our vision is to stimulate a world of generosity and positive social good through fundraising best practice. Since our formation in 1960, AFP has helped fundraisers generate more than $1,000,000,000,000 (1 trillion dollars) in gifts and donations and AFP members raise more than $100 billion every year for charitable causes around the world.