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You Matter

You Matter

Chapter Leadership Brief 7.25.25

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

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 15th 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.

We often (and rightly) focus our accolades on donors and on the staff who deliver our organizations’ programs. We sometimes forget to celebrate the power of our fundraising profession.

The fundraising profession is uniquely positioned to make the world a better place.

The world needs us. Whether our work drives innovation, alleviates suffering, facilitates healing, or transforms communities, we are needed as conveners. As fundraisers we match people who want to change the world with those who can. AFP convenes our unique and awesome fundraising community.

Here are some of the lessons I have learned along the way from colleagues in our fundraising community.

  1. Fundraisers Matter: Philanthropy makes the world a better place. Our work as fundraisers has never been more relevant or needed than today. When you match generosity from caring donors with the mission you serve, you make your mission and the world a better place. The work you do as a fundraiser matters. Don’t ever forget it.
  2. How we respond matters. Emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic tested our profession and the world in unprecedented ways. We learned that donors crave hearing from us during challenging times, and they want to help. We learned about the power of community and that authenticity always beats perfection.
  3. Community Matters:  We are stronger when we collaborate and learn together.
  4. IDEA Matters: Inclusion, diversity, equity, and access strengthen our profession and impact.
  5. Volunteer Leadership Matters:  I am grateful to my colleagues on the AFP-NYC board. The fiscal prudence of pre-COVID leadership positioned us strongly for challenging times. The leadership, fine work, and persistence of all those who served on our board from 2020 through the present day have allowed AFP-NYC to persist and to persist boldly.
  6. You Matter: You are an investment worth making. Invest in yourself in the year ahead. Engage in activities that allow you to learn, grow and lead. Don’t wait.

My term on the AFP-NYC board is about to come to a close. It has been a great honor to serve on the board including as your chapter president, and most recently, as immediate past president.

I am grateful to all those with whom I have had the opportunity to serve and to all those who work to elevate and enhance our awesome fundraising profession.

I suppose this is a love letter of sorts to all of my fundraising colleagues. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising. You matter.

With gratitude,

Jill M. Scibilia, MBA, CFRE

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