SHARE:  
AFP Chicago

eDevelopments

Your Chicago Chapter News

March 2024


Welcome New Members

Celebrating Members

Katie Albanos

Christina Bourné

Tiara Coats

Billy Donnelly

Antonio Giordano

Khyle Griffin

Leah Heck

Felicia Jia

Chelsey Jones Bazuro

Tamara Leonard

Cyndee Newman

Zorbari Nwidor

Whitney Plunkett

Linda Zhang

New members as of February 2024.

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

48th Annual Philanthropy Awards

Annual Philanthropy Awards October 18 2024

48th Annual Philanthropy Awards

Friday, October 18, 2024

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

For over 45 years, AFP Chicago has honored the committed, passionate individuals and corporations who work on behalf of the nonprofit organizations that AFP Chicago serves. Our annual awards program recognizes the outstanding achievements of these individuals, foundations and corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers, and fundraising executives. AFP Chicago is pleased to honor those who demonstrate high ethical standards and exemplify the philanthropic spirit of our great city.


The award categories include:


  • Distinguished Philanthropist
  • Emerging Philanthropist
  • Executive Leader
  • Professional Grantor
  • Outstanding Community Leader
  • Outstanding Volunteer
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy
Submit Nomination

Nominations for the 48th Annual Philanthropy Awards are now being accepted. Submitting a nomination is a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations making a significant impact in Chicagoland philanthropy. Your nomination could shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and success in advancing the mission of their causes. Help AFP Chicago celebrate philanthropic excellence!

Submit a Nomination by March 31, 2024

Third Thursday Networking

April 18 Third Thursday

Third Thursday Networking

Thursday, April 18, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm


Location

X-Golf Downers Grove

1310 Butterfield Rd

Downers Grove, IL 60515


AFP Chicago invites you to its Third Thursday networking event in the western suburbs. Join us on April 18th from 5-7 pm for an enjoyable evening connecting with fellow fundraisers in your area while indulging in the excitement of golfing.

X-Golf has state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators, fostering a welcoming atmosphere suitable for players of all levels, regardless of ability. This event is open to both members and non-members, so feel free to bring a friend!


AFP Third Thursday event registration is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, covering food and venue costs (fees are non-refundable). Please note that all attendees, both members and non-members, must register in advance.

Register for Third Thursday Networking

Thank You to our Sponsor

bloomerang

2024 Workshop Bundle

Get the most out of 2024 with an AFP Workshop Bundle!


Attend 5 workshops, 1 on-demand workshop and all Third Thursday networking events throughout 2024 and SAVE! 


Members: $120 (Save $50)

Non-Members: $200 (Save $50)

Purchase Workshop Bundle
Workshop Bundle

Affinity Groups

WFARE Affinity Group

WFARE

Affinity Group

Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024

9:00 - 10:00 am

More Information

API Affinity Group

Asian/Pacific Islander

Affinity Group

Monday, Apr. 1, 2024

12:00 - 1:00 pm

More Information

African American Affinity Group

African American

Affinity Group

Friday, Apr. 12, 2024

8:30 - 9:30 am

More Information

AFP Chicago Latinx Affinity Group

Latinx

Affinity Group

Speaker: Juan Calixto

Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2024

5:00 pm

More Information

Neurodiverse Affinity Group

Neurodiverse

Affinity Group

Speaker: Tara May

Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2024

4:00 - 5:00 pm

More Information

AFP Chicago


Call for Presenters

The Continuous Learning Council welcomes professionals and subject matter experts to provide proposals for future educational sessions. Sessions can be virtual, in-person or hybrid throughout the year. 


Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Annual campaign / direct response
  • Board governance, management, and development
  • Community centric fundraising principles 
  • Cultivating transformational gifts 
  • Data driven fundraising 
  • Donor engagement, retention and stewardship 
  • Ethical fundraising
  • IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and access)
  • Leadership building and organizational capacity
  • Professional development as a fundraiser and CFRE certification
  • Staffing and turnover in the social sector 
  • Trends in philanthropy  
Call for presenters

Please complete the Call for Presenters form so that we may consider your interest and topic. Once submitted, you will receive confirmation and your proposal will be reviewed by the Continuous Learning Council. 


If you have any questions, please email CLC Talent Lead Renee Davis, MNM, CFRE. 

2024 Partnership Opportunities

Call for Partners

AFP Chicago is proud to bring together diverse professionals from across sectors, career levels, and specialties and provide access to education and training, professional development resources, and networking opportunities. Sponsorship of our chapter allows for visibility during educational and networking programs and targeted brand exposure in our wide-reaching marketing materials. Sponsorship is a direct investment in the success and impact of Chicago’s philanthropic community.

To learn more about 2024 sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact AFP Chicago Philanthropy Chair Elizabeth Halajian at ehalajian@navypier.org or 312-595-5152.

Peer Mentoring's Latest Initiative: Open Office Hours!


By: Barbara S. Khalouf

Director of Development, Access Living

Member and Mentor, Peer Mentoring Committee


Did you know that the AFP Chicago Peer Mentoring Program extends a special invitation to its protégés? 

 

Designed to complement our regular programming, Open Office Hours provide an informal platform for protégés to engage with seasoned professionals from the Peer Mentoring Committee. These sessions offer an hour of invaluable interaction in a small group setting, creating an atmosphere for learning and collaboration.

Barbara S Khalouf

At Open Office Hours, Peer Mentoring protégés can drop in to explore diverse topics, ranging from career trajectories to current trends in fundraising. It is an opportunity to glean insights, seek advice, and forge connections within our vibrant community of fundraisers. Whether navigating their early career or seeking fresh perspectives on established practices, Open Office Hours offer a supportive environment to expand each participant’s knowledge and network. 


Read the full article here

 

MORE INFORMATION

The Peer Mentoring Committee will be announcing the Spring 2024 Cohort of matched mentors and protégés soon, but it is never too early to plan for the Fall or join the Committee. Ready to take advantage of this unique opportunity? Learn more here. Together, let's ignite inspiration, empower growth, and shape the future of fundraising! Join us in building a stronger, more connected fundraising community.

Thank You to our Sponsors

Women in Development Professions

Fellows Spotlight

Michelle Luu

Michelle Luu

Development Coordinator, Faith in Place


Michelle Luu (she/her) has been a Development Coordinator at Faith in Place since June 2021. She supports the organization's fundraising efforts primarily through grant writing and leading individual giving campaigns. Driven by the environmental injustices her hometown (Waukegan, Illinois) faces, Michelle is passionate about advocating for and finding just solutions for communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.

As a younger fundraising professional, Michelle is excited to see how she can help move philanthropy into a more equitable space for individuals, grant makers, and grant seekers. Michelle graduated from Haverford College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a focus in Environmental Chemistry and Economic Policy.


Learn more about the AFP Chicago Fellows Program

CFRE Application Deadline

The next CFRE application deadline is April 15, 2024


Stand out by earning the only globally recognized, accredited fundraising certification for fundraising professionals. Become a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).


  • Gain greater confidence in your fundraising knowledge and increase your career advancement opportunities while showing the world you have mastered fundraising best practices.
Certified Fund Raising Executive

No matter what your reason is to become a CFRE, it’s free to start your application. You only pay when you’re ready to submit it and our members always enjoy 20% off the cost of certification.


Learn more about the benefits of becoming a CFRE


Start your CFRE application

Job Source

The AFP Chicago Online Job Source is the go-to resource for not-for-profit job opportunities and connects employers to highly skilled development professionals.


  • Jobs are promoted via email twice per month to over 3,000 fundraisers.
  • Job posts are available to AFP Chicago members as well as non-members.
  • Organizations do not have to be an AFP Chicago member to post a job.
  • 24/7 access to job listings through the AFP Chicago website.
Job Source
Search or Post Jobs HERE
Click to visit Community Links
If you have news to share relating to the fundraising industry please email your story and a photo to shelbi@afpchicago.org. Submissions will be subject to approval.

Chapter Champions

Alford Group Logo 2022
Campbell
Cooper Coleman
TWB Fundraising

Pioneer Sponsors

CCS Fundraising
virtuous

Supporting Sponsors

Bloomerang

Women in Development Professions

AFP IDEA Champion
AFP Ten Star Gold Award
AFP Chicago Chapter
(312) 500-1410
Facebook  Twitter  Linkedin  Instagram  Youtube  
LinkedIn Group
Linkedin