Association of Fundraising Professionals

Spasiba. That's Russian for "thank you." It's the one word I got really good at saying while walking around Moscow. I'm big on appreciation, and live my life in a grateful way, so it seemed fitting that I would be thanking people halfway across the world when I visited them.

You might be amazed at how cynical a lot of donors are. I saw that cynicism up close a few years ago: I was assigned to interview donors who were sponsoring third-world children through a well-known religious organization. Again and again, those sponsors told me that the most wonderful thing about being sponsors was discovering that the children they sponsored were real people.

INDIANAPOLIS, November 17, 2009 — The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University today offered its congratulations to L.H. Bayley, chairman of the board of David A. Noyes & Company, who has been named recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Indiana Chapter’s (AFP-IC) 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

INDIANAPOLIS, November 2, 2009 — Gender does not generally predict whether someone who donates to charity is likely to leave a charitable bequest in his or her will, according to a study released today by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Washington DC Metro Area Chapter and the Direct Marketing Association of Washington are calling for papers for the 5th Annual Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference.

Has your organization stepped up and out to exceed expectations this year thanks to a creative campaign or initiative?

August 12, 2009 — Three revenue generation workshops will be presented in September by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in partnership with the Community Foundation of North Florida, The Council on Culture & Arts, and United Partners for Human Services.

Phoenix, Ariz,  August 1, 2009 — International speaker, direct mail fundraising consultant, and author, Mal Warwick will lead a three-session program on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 aimed at Arizona-based nonprofit professionals who are struggling in the economic downturn.  Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter, Warwick will lead a discussion on “Fundraising in a Global Context,” followed by a lunch presentation, “Raising Funds When Money is Tight,” and concluding with a workshop entitled “Technology and the Future of Direct Response.”

Charleston, S.C., July 8, 2009 — Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB) the leading global provider of nonprofit software and services, announced that the company has awarded 15 grants to nonprofit organizations in seven countries, volunteered to pack over 400 backpacks for a Charleston-area food bank, hosted a volunteer fair where over 200 employees signed up to donate time, and focused on protecting the environment. Blackbaud continues to encourage philanthropy worldwide in communities where customers and employees work and live by honoring the corporate value “service to others makes the world a better place.”

"It's just a new way to do old business."

So said Danielle Brigida, associate operations coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation, in the session "Using Social Networking to Build Affinity, Community and Brand" at Fund Raising Day in New York 2009 presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater New York Chapter in early June. In her session, Brigida discussed the need for nonprofits to clearly articulate a strategy for utilizing social-networking sites to enhance brand, build affinity and expand reach.