News/Blog

By Jill Scibilia, CFRE, AFP-NYC President-Elect
Vice President, Development, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health

June 19^th is a new national holiday: Juneteenth National Independence Day.  President Joe Biden signed this into law on June 17, 2021 after it passed the Senate and the House earlier this week.  It is the first new federal holiday since President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law in 1983.

By Craig Shelley, CFRE, Chapter Treasurer & Managing Director, Orr Group

I have this weird feeling I have not had in a long time.  I think it is optimism.  We seem to (finally? maybe?) have the pandemic under control as at least in the US vaccine rates rise and infection and death rates drop.  Things are reopening.  I have been able to spend time with colleagues, friends, and clients I have not seen in 15+ months.  Despite all our worst predictions’ philanthropy has rallied in the past year.  I gathered with this community at PhilanthroCon and was able to feel the energy of and learn from my peers.  I am looking forward beyond tomorrow and I like what I see for our world and for our profession.

Authors: Susan Shapiro, President, shapiroassociates
Madeleine Durante, Fundraising Innovation Manager, MoveOn

From the CEO to the Vice President and the young entry-level professional, everyone can remember that person, friend, family member, or career coach who helped to guide them, find their own voice, and make the best decisions to build their careers.

By Michele Hall-Duncan, AFP-NYC Secretary, CEO and President of enCourage Kids Foundation

I am still on a high after the PhilanthroCon conference. I thought it absolutely amazing. I know that we may be exhausted from all things virtual, (believe me I cannot wait to get back to in-person events), however the conference truly met my needs for connection, information, and inspiration. Beginning with the incredible keynote speech through the closing session, there was something for everyone.

Even though we couldn't hold the traditional Fundraising Day in New York this year, a favorite tradition was carried through to this week's PhilanthroCon conference. Click through for the 2021 edition of the Top Ten list: Fundraising in the Age of Covid. Thanks to authors Marc Suntup and John Winkelman and also to Margaret Holman for her brilliant delivery!

By Santana Moreno, CFRE

Recently, I became an official Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), reaching an incredible professional achievement that proves my dedication to the career of resource generation and showcases an exceptional understanding of the standard donor-centered fundraising model. I am proud to be a CFRE and happy to join a community of professionals equally dedicated to this work.

By Jill Scibilia, CFRE, AFP-NYC President-Elect
Vice President, Development, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health

"Give until it hurts” is a quote often attributed to Mother Teresa. There is deep meaning behind this quote, but there is another version attributed to Elizabeth Berg that I prefer, “Give until it stops hurting.”   I believe “give until it stops hurting” captures philanthropic spirit and intentionality. 

Last week, the AFP NYC Chapter joined our peers around the state and the country in participating in Virtual Lobby Week, where we spoke with staffers representing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Richie Torres, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and Congressman Adriano Espaillat about three pressing issues for our sector’s success:

An AFP-NYC chapter membership is so much more than an event discount: it is opportunity, it is access to a network of fellow fundraisers working together to activate philanthropy for change, it is a show of professionalism and belonging to a group of dedicated change-makers, and it is being a part of a community. Especially throughout this challenging year we have faced together in NYC and across the globe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, AFP-NYC members have come together to lift each other up, to innovate, and to evolve as we navigate the “new normal” in life and in fundraising.

By Steve Jacobson, AFP-NYC President and CEO, JCA, Inc.

Next week, April 26 – 30, is AFP Lobby Week.  It’s the time when AFP Global and AFP chapters around the country make concerted efforts to inform and educate our lawmakers on the importance of the nonprofit sector.  And, of course, part of our efforts are focused on supporting legislation that benefits nonprofits and, by extension, our varied constituencies.  Given that we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Lobby Week will be held virtually.  As of this writing, the AFP NYC chapter has at least five Zoom calls scheduled with our New York Representatives and Senators.