Nonprofit Resource Connection Newsletter
First Quarter 2010

Invest in Yourself and Your Nonprofit
Howard Barlow, Nonprofit Resource Specialist, Fargo

There’s an organization that can help advance your career, help you make friends who share your interests, help you increase and proclaim your professionalism and integrity, and learn from several of the top leaders in the nonprofit field.

If you have any involvement in raising money and the profile of your nonprofit (that should include almost all leadership and staff) you may want to explore membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

I joined this organization nearly 25 years ago as a fundraiser for Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. I knew I needed help in understanding how to gain support for my organization. Even though I changed my profession nearly 10 years ago, I still find great value in my involvement with AFP, and I have sponsored their training webinars in my present job at Bremer Bank for the past nine years. This year we have 15 fund development professionals participating in these training sessions.

AFP has more than 30,000 members in 206 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. AFP fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. I received my Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 1995.

The Association believes that to guarantee human freedom and social creativity, people must have the right to freely and voluntarily form organizations to meet perceived needs, advocate causes, and seek funds to support these activities. They seek to guarantee these rights by fostering development and growth of fundraising professionals committed to preserving and enhancing philanthropy.

AFP has established a code of ethics and professional practices and they require members to adhere to this professional code. This enhances the profession and the members standing in their communities. The organization offers many training opportunities for fundraising professionals, such as audio conferences and webinars that allow members to learn from the best practitioners in the field of philanthropy. The AFP site, allows members to obtain information on particular aspects of fundraising through reading materials, cassettes and DVD’s.

AFP also implements programs that ensure cultural and social diversity in their membership and leadership. They promote public understanding of philanthropy and philanthropic fundraising and conduct activities that maintain and develop legislation favorable to philanthropy. AFP also provides a valid and reliable certification program for fundraising professionals.

The Association operates in chapters so individuals in each area have some autonomy in getting together, planning area programs and meetings and offering opportunities to get to know other fundraising professionals in their area. There are several chapters of AFP in the Bremer footprint across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. To join the Association of Fundraising Professionals contact the chapter in your area:

The Minnesota Chapter, founded in 1970, is based in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The office is located at 1821 University Avenue West, Suite S-256, St. Paul, MN 55104. Office contact information: (651) 917-6247, office@afpminnesota.org or www.afpminnesota.org. For membership information Deanna J. Nurnberg at (651) 789-2438.

The Southern Minnesota Chapter, founded in 2003, is based in Rochester. For information, contact Vicki Allen at 507-287-7100 or visit afpmnsouthern.afpnet.org.

Minnesota Central and Southwestern Chapter was established in 2009 located in Paynesville, Minn. Contact lizm@swifoundation.org or jshinn@pahcs.com.

The Northern Plains Chapter Serves North Dakota and western Minnesota providing workshops on numerous topics related to the field of fundraising. For more information, contact Denise Laymon at 218-745-6008 or visit afpnorthdakota.afpnet.org.

The Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter is based in La Crosse, Wis. The Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter includes members from western Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. For more information, contact Robyn Tanke, CFRE at 608-775-4711.

The Greater Madison Chapter was founded in 1987. For more information, contact Emily Gruenewald at 608-238-7464 or visit afpmadison.afpnet.org.