News/Blog

by Jennifer Moore
VP of Advancement, Good + Foundation

As I prepare to begin my two-year term as President of our chapter, I feel both optimistic and deeply responsible. I am honored by the trust you have placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve a community whose dedication, compassion, and commitment strengthen our city.

This moment is personally meaningful for me. I joined AFP-NYC in 2013 because a mentor saw potential in me and encouraged me to get involved. At the time, I was still finding my footing in the fundraising field. My colleague knew that this chapter would expose me to new ideas, connect me with people who believed in this work, and support my growth in ways I could not yet fully imagine. That encouragement changed the course of my career. AFP became the place where I developed confidence, built lasting relationships, and learned how to navigate the complexities of our profession.

by CFRE International

The nonprofit sector is continually changing, presenting new challenges such as evolving donor behaviors, technological advancements, and regulatory shifts. Professional education empowers you, as a fundraiser, to adapt and innovate, ensuring your strategies remain pertinent and effective.

Certifications, such as the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, promote continuous learning, and reflect a fundraiser’s expertise and ethical dedication. Obtaining certification involves meeting stringent criteria, including proven experience, knowledge, and a commitment to ethical conduct. These standards help to distinguish certified fundraisers as reliable professionals within a competitive landscape.

Advantages of holding CFRE certification include …

by Craig H. Shelley, CFRE
President, Association of Fundraising Professionals – NYC Chapter
CEO, Schultz & Williams

Hopefully, like me, you each will have the opportunity this week to gather with people you care about and reflect on all you have to be grateful for. Professionally, I remain grateful for the opportunity to do work that matters, and I suspect many of you feel the same way.

As I approach the end of my two-year term as Chapter President on December 31st, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on this experience. It has been an absolute privilege to play a substantive role in our community. These have been tumultuous years in the world around us, but I believe our chapter has consistently delivered the content and connections our members deserve.

by Erin Ward and Bobby D. Ehlert
Co-founders Inspire Hearts Fundraising

If there is one moment in a fundraising event that can transform a nonprofit’s entire year, it’s the paddle raise—“the BIG ask,” “call to action,” “fund-a-need,” "special appeal," or whatever you choose to call it. When done right, a paddle raise doesn’t just raise money—it raises belief, builds community, and ignites generosity at a level no silent auction, live auction, or sponsorship package can match. It is the most direct, mission-centered, and emotionally resonant revenue generator in the room.

But the perfect paddle raise doesn’t happen by luck. It happens by design.

by Jill M. Scibilia, MBA, CFRE
Vice President, Foundation, Northwell Phelps Hospital

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 15^th is National Philanthropy Day—a day set apart to celebrate the impact of generosity. The word philanthropy comes from the Greek and means “love of humankind.”

Philanthropy has the power to drive innovation, alleviate suffering, facilitate healing, and transform communities. Indeed philanthropy makes the world a better place.

By Lynsie Slachetka
Founder & CEO, aJuxt Media Group

As we approach the end of 2025, nonprofit marketing teams across the country grapple with increasingly urgent marketing challenges while competition for donor attention intensifies.

Marketing is no longer optional for nonprofits; it's essential for visibility, fundraising, engagement, and long-term sustainability. However, many organizations still treat marketing as "extra" rather than mission-critical. Let's address some of the key marketing challenges that nonprofit organizations face and more importantly, what you can do about them now.

By David Langton 
President, Langton Creative Group, Ltd.

In his new book, Cory Doctorow describes the decay of social platforms in three stages:

1. We work for the people
2. We work for our backers
3. We work for ourselves.

What if we applied these stages to nonprofits?

by Jason Ellinger
Founder, Beard & Bowler

A board member once asked me something I’ve never forgotten.
They weren’t talking about our work.
They meant the videos their team made in-house.
Maybe you’ve felt that too, pouring your heart into a story that somehow doesn’t land.
That question made me realize how often organizations wrestle with the same challenge, how to make a story feel as powerful as it is.

by Carolyn Vine
Chief Development Officer, Robin Hood

At Robin Hood, we’re fortunate to have a distinguished board that brings both generosity and insight to our fight against poverty in New York City. These are people who could spend their Tuesday afternoons doing just about anything, yet they choose to sit around our conference table wrestling with questions about resource allocation and fundraising strategy. Recently we decided to ask them a simple question. How can we make these meetings more valuable for you?

Their answer caught us off guard in the best possible way. They told us they want less information and more conversation.

by Matthew Weber
CEO, Development Guild

The World is Moving at Warp Speed

Look around. Politics, AI, economics — everything is shifting faster than any one leader, board, or organization can track. Your donors, staff, and community are living in a different reality every six months. The ground is not just shifting under your feet — it’s accelerating.

Meanwhile, your board cycle is quarterly. Your planning cycle is annual. Your strategic plan is five years old and out of date.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: when the world moves faster than your organization, you fall behind. You lose relevance, trust, and momentum.

Nonprofits are built to endure — but right now, endurance is not enough.