News/Blog

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.

by Pinky Vincent, Member, AFP-NYC Board of Directors

Equal pay for equal work is not yet a reality. Even with similar education and experience, people of color and women still earn less than white men.

To address this persistent wage gap and to reinforce our chapter’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA), we will be requiring all Career Center job postings to list salary ranges, starting May 1st.

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

As the weather warms up it’s making me think of all those Friday afternoons in June, we’ve spent together at the Marriott Marquis for Fundraising Day in New York.  It was always a great place to reconnect with the people and ideas that make our work so special as fundraisers.  Heaped upon all the sadness of the last year is the fact that Fundraising Day won’t happen this year. Again.

Thankfully the chapter is going to replicate as much of the experience as we can virtually with PhilanthroCon. 

by Vikki Jones, CFRE and Victoria Shadle / AFP-NYC Government Relations Committee

AFP-NYC’s Government Relations Committee has been traveling to Albany and Washington, DC for years for Advocacy Days. Advocacy Days are essentially a state-wide coalition of fundraising professionals that annually meets with our elected officials to discuss matters of importance in our profession, the nonprofit sector, and the communities we serve. 

By Jennifer Moore, AFP-NYC Board Member, Co-Chair Professional Advancement Committee
Vice President of Development, SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education, Inc.

Year after year, our members tell us that the education and networking opportunities from AFP NYC are invaluable, and I couldn’t agree more. As a result, the Professional Advancement Committee spends months planning our programming and networking opportunities for fellow fundraisers to improve their skills and build their networks. However, we felt that we could do even more for our colleagues.