Chapter Leadership Brief 9.23.2022

By Erica Joy West
Co-Vice Chair Communications Committee, Transformational Coach, and Consultant

At the start of the pandemic, like many professional women, I left the workforce. At the time, I was a full-time caretaker for an elderly family. Although I’m not a parent, caretaking is caretaking, just replace online classrooms with telehealth appointments and everything else is pretty much the same-- including the days when ice cream for dinner is good enough.  Caretaking was a second full-time job, so taking a break from fundraising seemed like the right decision.

In those tough times, I reprised my clinical background in mental health and started a coaching business to help women and girls navigate their emotional health and the uncertain future of their professional development.  Over the past couple of years, I noticed a pattern among the professional women that I coach. An alarming 90% of them cited their greatest challenge to advancement as a lack of confidence. Jaw drop.

When I spoke to these women it was clear that they were smart, engaging, and insightful with innovative ideas to solve serious social issues in desperate need of solving. From the outside looking in, no one would describe them as lacking confidence.  Yet these women often underestimated their abilities and felt they needed more experience before they would take a chance in leveling up their careers. And this is not exclusive to the nonprofit sector. The 2020 KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit Report noted that 75% of female executives experience Imposter Syndrome. 

This does not negate the very real systemic barriers for women in nonprofit leadership, but it does speak to how many women view themselves. As women, we are very visible in the nonprofit world, yet there is a big hill to climb when it comes to our presence in leadership.

Women’s self-confidence impacts the sector and the systemic barriers and dysfunction within nonprofits can greatly impact women’s confidence. The environment does matter and can have implications on our confidence, no matter how many superwoman leadership webinars we take.

Here are two things you can do today to create change within yourself and the sector to shift the leadership gap.

Find Your Tribe

I have a group of professional female colleagues that I call my “Board of Directors.” We give each other career advice, share ideas, make referrals and networking introductions, and provide emotional support when times are hard. A strong network of women that you can trust is essential to career development. We often don’t prioritize this enough, because we are stuck at our computers working late making such everything is perfect before we sign off for the day. Close the laptop. Go out and find a tribe of professional women that you vibe with-- women of diverse ages, backgrounds, and professional experience.

Build Self-Awareness

Our thoughts and emotions are like a secret language and once you learn it, it can become your greatest ally. Understanding your own thoughts and emotions can help you combat fear and other emotions that are crushing your confidence and paralyzing you from moving forward. I keep a journal on my iPhone notepad. I write down any time I am “triggered”. If an emotion pops up that is disrupting my peace, productivity, and connection with others, I write it down----thought, emotion, and behavior (what I did). Whenever I am self-doubting or questioning my decisions, this can be a powerful tool for factual self-reflection to put things back in perspective.  

75% of United States nonprofit leaders are planning to leave their positions in the next 5-10 years.  You are ready for this.

Chapter Leadership Brief 9.9.2022

Why You Should Apply for AFP-NYC’s Mentorship Program
By Victoria Shadle Williams

Last fall I was excited to see that AFP-NYC was once again hosting a mentorship program for members. When I applied to be a mentee the previous year I was not selected, so I was thrilled to be invited to join the program for 2022. While I’ve been working in development for a handful of years and had informal mentors before, this would be my first time in a structured mentorship program and it came at the perfect time in my career.

After two and a half years in an individual and corporate giving management role at a mid-sized nonprofit, in January 2022 I started in my first truly senior-level position at a small nonprofit. I went from a mid-level role on a large team to a senior-level position reporting to the Executive Director and leading all development and communications with the support of consultants and one direct report. 

It was an exciting but stressful jump with lots to prove, and just as that new chapter was starting I joined AFP-NYC’s mentorship program as a mentee. The mentorship planning team learned about my experience and ambitions through my application and thoughtfully paired me with Adrienne Cea, an experienced fundraiser who made a similar career leap herself years earlier. 

I met with Adrienne for the first time the week before starting my new job and she immediately put me at ease, reminding me that yes, this senior position is going to be challenging – but starting a new leadership position is difficult for anyone! Adrienne helped me feel more confident going into my new role. This job was a big and risky step for me, but having a mentor who had already been through that jump successfully helped me feel assured in my skills and what I was bringing to the table. 

Adrienne and I started meeting over coffee every other month or so and while we had wide-ranging conversations, she also pushed me to articulate my professional goals for the year and what I needed to do to achieve those goals. She was there as I navigated challenges big and small with volunteer leadership, hiring my direct report, and the stress and anxiety of applying for a giant government contract. Adrienne could relate to what I was going through and give advice based on her years of experience. 

At first, when I got into the program I thought the mentee/mentor relationship would be fairly tactical and the mentor would share their best practices for fundraising, but for us, it ended up being so much more – something that I truly couldn’t get from reading articles or attending a professional development event. Over time, Adrienne became a sounding board, confidant, and cheerleader. Her support was unique and valuable as fundraising careers can feel lonely at times, both out in the world where there are many misconceptions about what we do and even within our own organizations. Adrienne reminded me of the community I have here at AFP. 

As I close out my first year as a Director of Development and Communications, I’m so thankful for Adrienne and the AFP-NYC Mentorship Program. I highly recommend anyone who is eligible consider applying, even if you’ve applied in the past and were not selected. If you are lucky enough to join the program and get paired with a mentor like Adrienne, it will be well worth the time and effort.

Chapter Leadership Brief 8.26.2022

By Craig Shelley, CFRE
President-elect, AFP-NYC Chapter; Partner + Chief Growth Officer, Orr Group

It’s hot.  It’s humid.  I’m tired of showing up during my rare in office days looking like I took a shower.  I’m ready for the Fall.

That’s sort of a weird thing for me to say out loud.  As kids, the Fall meant carefree summers became a memory and you were back to the grind of school and activities.  As fundraisers, it means the busiest of times is coming, which is saying a lot now that all times seem busy.  That said, I think I’ve come to look at the Fall as, yes, a time where I will be at my busiest, but also as a time where people will have unprecedented opportunities to give and contribute to the things they care about.  And, lucky us, we get to help them do it!

Never lose sight of that.  As thankless as this work can be at times, it really is a privilege.  Your efforts improve the world.  Not too many people can say that.  So, as you get into putting the final touches on those year-end appeals, try and close those major pledges donors have been considering for months, squeeze in that last event, design the most creative Giving Tuesday campaign ever, work on next year’s budget, AND be sure to spend time with your friends and family as the Holidays approach, take some time to reflect on the difference you’re making.  You might be exhausted, but you matter.

Oh, and also, make time this Fall to engage in our chapter!  I know professional development, networking, and just being with your community of peers are the easiest things to deprioritize, but we all know the rest of the days get easier when we make time for stuff like this.  You can always see what we’ve got upcoming on the Chapter calendar here.

Chapter Leadership Brief 8.12.2022

By M. Angel Flores
Co-Vice Chair, Communications Committee

Our Existing Systems are Failing

The colonizing principles that defined our now-dying systems have been exposed as deeply flawed. The pandemic and civil unrest following George Floyd’s murder uncovered deep fault lines in our society disproportionally impacting Black and Brown people. We have seen a measure of justice recently for Mr. Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, but too many remain vulnerable. Simultaneously, many elected officials actively seek to rewrite history and sow doubt in our elections. We are dangerously close to seeing democracy die in favor of minority rule.

Most importantly, our planet is dying. The most marginalized populations globally are bearing the brunt of our collective overuse of natural resources, and many powerful leaders are ignoring the truth: that her survival is our survival.

Fundraisers must actively determine whether we are upholding or dismantling colonizer values in our practices; philanthropy is not immune to the effects of colonization. We can leverage our position at the intersection of humanity and money to shift binary thinking (either / or; us / them) to a growth mindset (“yes and”) by our approach.

Philanthropy and our Role as Wealth Stewards

Philanthropy is ripe for innovation. Several factors have converged to create a new paradigm, shifting our identity from fundraisers to wealth stewards. When we guide wealth with intention and care, we establish a two-way relationship, benefiting humanity as we enable our organizations to do their essential work.

As wealth stewards, we play a special role of connecting people with money to charities that use that money to achieve their missions. But what do we offer in exchange? Are our intentions equally concerned with the donor’s financial situation as our organization’s? Or do we often remain singularly focused on how our organization and, by extension, we can benefit?

The Soul of Money by activist and philanthropist Lynne Twist changed how I understood money. Twist describes money as a source of energy. The way in which money is requested and given will carry energetic intent: good, bad, or neutral. Edward Villanueva spoke similarly about money as medicine in Decolonizing Wealth. Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International, was the closing keynote speaker at AFP ICON 2022. Salbi concluded by imploring the assembled wealth stewards to harness this people-powered movement to address collectively our most pressing societal challenges.

All three draw from their experiences in fundraising to reveal how philanthropy upholds colonizer values while also highlighting the incredible potential inherent in our work if we are brave enough to change how we work. Have we internalized these messages and acted accordingly? How can we show our love for humanity as wealth stewards?

One Specific Solution: The Benefits of Gift Planning Culture

Innovating philanthropy will take time. Leaning into gift planning culture allows any charity to evolve into an expression of our undeniable interconnection. This fundraising method requires the entire institution, including leadership, to commit to shifting organizational culture by offering creative giving options that allow donors of all income levels to give truly meaningful gifts. Over 90% of wealth in the U.S. is held in assets other than cash; think real estate, retirement assets, appreciated assets, other tangible property. As wealth stewards expanding leadership’s focus to solicit noncash assets, we will create a deeper connection to more community members and secure the funds needed to realize our missions.

Giving USA’s Leaving a Legacy report [https://givingusa.org/just-released-special-report-leaving-a-legacy-a-new-look-at-planned-giving-donors/] confirmed that over 40% of donors first learned from their charity that making a gift could benefit them financially. This role is a significant responsibility and opportunity for charities. Ultimately, wealth stewards and their leadership must focus on what their charities can do FOR their donors, not just want they want FROM their donors.

Here's How to Begin

1. Engage organizational leadership by sharing the benefits of deepening gift planning culture for the organization, your mission, and your donors
2. Assess your wealth stewardship program for areas of growth and deeper donor engagement
3. Review and qualify current and prospective donors who have been giving consistently for many years (5-10+) at relatively modest levels for deferred gift conversations
4. Create opportunities for donors to build financial health through educational sessions hosted by local financial professionals

I am eager to find accomplices in this work, to “get caught trying...” Who’s with me?!

BIO
M. Angel Flores (she/her,) is thrilled to serve as Co-Vice Chair of AFP-NYC’s Communications Committee. She is a Senior Vice President with CCS Fundraising, currently leading the firm’s Gift Planning Practice Group, an international team focused on identifying new ways to diversify and increase revenue for CCS’s nonprofit partners. Angel is a highly motivated, results-oriented, and compassionate executive with nearly two decades of experience working with and within organizations in the health, education, cultural, and human services sectors. She has advised organizations and planned and managed campaigns ranging from $20 million to $2.8 billion with extensive expertise managing strategic operations, planning and directing large-scale campaigns, refining major gift programs, and fostering gift planning culture. Angel currently resides on the historic lands of the Munsee Lenape, Schaghticoke, and Wappinger Peoples with her family. She draws on her dance, yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic training to maintain her flexibility and strength in mind, body, and spirit. You can connect with Angel via email [aflores@ccsfundraising.com] or on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryangelflores].

Chapter Leadership Brief 7.29.2022

By Steve Jacobson

AFP-NYC Immediate Past President and CEO, JCA, Inc.

Is there such a thing as a Fundraiser Bill of Rights? Well, no, but hopefully there will be one soon. While AFP has a code of ethics and has worked with other nonprofit advocacy organizations to create a Donor Bill of Rights, there has been a noticeable void in protections for all of you, the fundraisers on the frontlines. It’s time to change that!

The Donor Bill of Rights will address key issues in our sector, including bias, sexual harassment, inequity, and racism. These are real and impactful problems. According to AFP’s recent report, “Speaking Truth to Power in Fundraising: A Toolkit,” 23% of fundraisers have been subject to sexual coercion during their career. In this study, sexual coercion was defined as fundraisers who have been asked or pressured by their employers to put themselves in a position where they would be vulnerable to sexual harassment in order to secure gifts. Some respondents indicated that they were asked to dress in a particular way to garner inappropriate attention. Others were strongly encouraged or flat out told to meet prospects in compromising places, such as a prospect’s hotel room.

AFP Global has created a task force to draft a comprehensive Fundraiser Bill of Rights. I had the good fortune to attend a working meeting, in which the task force co-chairs, Rebecca Lamb and Liz LeClair, presented an update and sought input from those on both the AFP Global and AFP Foundation for Philanthropy boards. It was clear that, while much work and thought has gone into drafting protections for fundraisers, there is still a lot more work to be done, including how such protections can be enforced.

AFP is committed to hearing from you, the fundraisers, who have endured first-hand the unjust actions, behaviors and expectations suffered at the hands of those in power. The time is now to get involved to empower and protect not only current fundraisers but the next generation of fundraisers as well. You can find more information here at AFP’s Fundraiser Bill of Rights project webpage.

Chapter Leadership Brief 7.15.2022

This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Community-Centric Fundraising website

As a fundraiser, I’ve been to my share of “fancy” parties. Each time, I rummage through my closet trying to find the perfect outfit that will look sufficiently dressed up, professional, and that shows off my genderqueer style. 

I want to fit in. As a cisgender, white, queer person, I might look the part, but deep inside, I fear that people will judge me because I don’t come from wealth. 

Many of the fundraisers I know are like me — people who got involved in the development profession out of a love of doing good. We are not always wealthy and don’t always come from family money. This creates a tension as we navigate spaces of wealth and interface every day with philanthropists who may have very different class backgrounds than ourselves. The tension is compounded for fundraisers of color who must contend with blatant racism, microaggressions, being passed over for jobs and promotions, and more.

How do we honor and uplift our lived experiences of socioeconomic class, and turn them into a source of strength to become fearless fundraisers?

In the field of nonprofit fundraising, I’ve grappled with overcoming my class shame in order to operate as a bridge builder. I’ve learned to move among wealthy people so that I can raise money for social justice movements. I’ve learned how to use my privilege as a white, cisgender queer person to teach others who are like me—from un-wealthy backgrounds— to become donors and fundraisers themselves. It’s a gigantic feat given that regardless of our socioeconomic backgrounds, we’ve all grown up under capitalism and have been taught not to discuss money. 

We’ve got to dig deep to name and reconcile our class shame, and to uncover our belonging. 

People who do not come from wealth contribute a ton to this field. We know how and where to move resources, and we are donors of time and money ourselves. We make gifts that are meaningful to us, whether it’s $1 or $1,000, whether we volunteer for our community mutual aid or serve on a board. People with lower incomes give a higher percentage of their resources than people with high net worth. But regardless of levels of financial giving, everyone should see themselves as a valued donor, and everyone should feel comfortable asking people with wealthy backgrounds to give to their cause.

Here’s how I propose we start to overcome class shame in fundraising to build true equity and justice:

1. Make space to be curious and talk candidly about class differences 
2. Debunk the old myth of donor solicitation that peers must ask peers (wealth asks wealth)
3. Redefine philanthropy to include contributions beyond the financial— people and families give in many ways and traditional philanthropy is trapped in a “charity” mindset that consolidates power with the wealthy instead of distributing it equitably
4. Implement all the community-centric fundraising principles at our organizations

We must free ourselves from class shame so we can care for the people in our movements, innovate for the future, and liberate everyone.

Christa Orth (they/she) serves as the Co-Vice Chair of AFP-NYC’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access committee. They are a lifelong fundraiser who has worked with hundreds of nonprofits in staff roles at StoryCorps and Streetsblog, and as a consultant to social justice orgs like Campaign for Southern Equality, Drama Club, First Peoples Fund, Third Wave Fund, and Trans Justice Funding Project. You can read Christa’s writing on Community-Centric Fundraising, in the Grassroots Fundraising Journal archive, and on Candid. They live on Canarsie Lenape land (also known as Brooklyn, NY), and they just launched Seaworthy Fundraising, a consulting practice providing joyful strategy and implementation for community-centric giving. You can follow Christa for very infrequent tweets @christamaeorth, email them, or connect with them on LinkedIn.

Chapter Leadership Brief 7.1.2022

Do we say this often enough to our colleagues?  To the professional fundraising community?  To ourselves?

 

Sometimes we focus our accolades on the donors who support us and the people in our organizations who deliver our programs. I know I do.  It is important to share stories of impact.  It is what we do as fundraisers when we champion an idea, program or new facility that is possible thanks to donor generosity.

 

It is important we also celebrate the role of the fundraiser in this equation. Our role to match generosity with mission is critical.  I find being a fundraiser enormously fulfilling—most of the time. There are tough days, too.  So today, I’d like to celebrate the incredible fundraisers I know with a few messages of gratitude.  

First – my deepest gratitude to all those I am honored to call colleagues on my team today and all those with whom I have had the privilege of working throughout my fundraising career. Fundraising is a team effort and you have made such a difference to me and to the missions we have served together.  

 

Next – thank you to all of the consultant and vendor friends who serve the fundraising community. You not only help us deliver more impact for the missions and people we serve; you understand and care about the work we do and impact we make. 

 

Finally – a big shout out to all those who serve the professional fundraising community as volunteers, committee members and board members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and other organizations who convene our community. We are in this together* and we are stronger when we work together to exchange best practices, make connections and learn from each other.

 

I’ve said this before, but I think it bears repeating.  Philanthropy has the power to make the world a better place. I believe our work as fundraisers has never been more relevant or needed than today.

 

So remember that the work you do as a fundraiser matters.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising.

 

With gratitude,
Jill

 

P.S. - *The feeling of together-ness was palpable when we came together two weeks ago to celebrate our first in-person Fundraising Day in New York since the pandemic.  I’d like to especially thank our Fundraising Day committee who made this day possible.  The Committee was led by chair Gregory Boroff, program chairs Margaret Holman and Craig Shelley and included Barbara Eckstadt, Christa Orth, Susan Shapiro, Elandria Jackson Charles, Charlisa Garg, Ron Wegsman, Thomas Moore, III, Anne Townsend, Diego Aviles, Leah Heister, Emily Facilia, Sonya Shields, Lisa Keitges, Poonam Prasad, Veronica Bainbridge, Susan Sharer, Kathy Holding, Jennifer Moore, Steve Jacobson and CJ Orr who will chair Fundraising Day 2023. Thank you for all you did to make it such a success!!

We lost a member of our AFP family last week, Michele Hall-Duncan, who served on our board as our Secretary. We will be taking a moment of silence during the Penny Stoil Luncheon at Fundraising Day to remember Michele and her leadership in the fundraising profession and the work she did and led at enCourage Kids Foundation. The board of AFP-NYC will be making a gift to enCourage Kids to honor Michele, please consider donating to this wonderful organization in her memory at https://encourage-kids.org/. We also would like to share the message from enCourage Kids with our readers:

"It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you that Michele Hall-Duncan, our President & CEO, has passed away after a four-year battle with breast cancer. She passed peacefully in her sleep, in the company of loved ones and received world-class care from the day of diagnosis until the end of life.

Michele was the heart and soul of enCourage Kids for 26 years. Words cannot express the full scope of her impact on the organization, the children and families we serve, our hospital partners, and all of the lives she touched.

We will have more information to share in the coming days, and ask that you direct any inquiries to info@encourage-kids.org. We will respond as we are able to.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors and Staff of enCourage Kids Foundation"

Chapter Leadership Brief 6.17.2022

As I woke up this morning, I was excited (and a bit nervous if I’m being honest) to be heading to Fundraising Day in New York for the first time in two years! DoSomething.org’s full Development department and CEO will be joining hundreds of our colleagues to soak in the inspirations, learnings and networking that FRDNY always delivers.

June is always a busy time of year and this one is no different. Whether your organization is closing out its fiscal year, holding its spring gala, or celebrating the culmination of school year programming, most of us are burning the candle at both ends. Additionally, June brings along with it the celebration of Pride Month and the Federal holiday commemorating Juneteenth. Eachserve as opportunities for jubilee and recollection. Embedded within both is a call to work ACTIVELY in support of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.  We must remember the battles and challenges that have been fought in the name of a just and equitable country for all and seek out ways  to do the work that still needs to be done!

That’s why I am so glad to have AFP-NYC! It’s easy to get burned out and feel alone in the constant struggles around the pressure to raise more money because the problems we’re trying to solve are so important. Over the course of my career, AFP-NYC has provided me with unparalleled knowledge and learnings, connections with colleagues who are now dear friends, and a chance to showcase my leadership in Fundraising. Today’s conference is a moment for me to slow down and recharge so I can finish this month with a full cup and work to fulfill our organization’s mission.

If you’re also at FRDNY, let’s connect! Otherwise, I would encourage you to look to the chapter for the host of other opportunities that AFP-NYC offers for you to connect with your fundraising colleagues and be inspired and energized by current trends and best practices to make sure your cup is full too!

All my best,

Jenn

Chapter Leadership Brief 6.3.2022

I became a member of the AFP-NYC chapter in 1995, which was also the first year I attended Fundraising Day in New York. I’ve attended every year since and my involvement has deepened, as I went from an attendee to speaker, moderator, track chair, and program chair.  I was so excited and honored when I was asked to be Conference Chair in 2020.  We named the conference “Moving Forward….Together”, and we added representatives from our IDEA and Emerging Professionals groups to the Conference Steering Committee. Over several months, we worked to develop interesting sessions with dynamic, expert speakers. We’d even planned a delicious and fun luncheon program.  Then the world changed, and we had to quickly pivot to make the conference virtual. 

I am proud of the two successful virtual conferences we organized in 2020 and 2021, but I am beyond excited to welcome you all back to our first in-person conference in three years!  Our fantastic Steering Committee has planned a full day of meaningful sessions featuring nonprofit leaders who will share their experiences and ideas. It will be an inspiring, energizing day.    

The true benefit of attending, however, is the opportunity to meet other people (in-person!) who also work as fundraisers in the nonprofit sector.  People who share your commitment to helping to make the world a better place, especially in the wake of the pandemic. I have met many conference attendees over the past 27 years who have become colleagues and friends.  Allies who have helped me throughout my career by giving me advice when I needed guidance, pointing me in the right direction when I was looking for resources, and laughing (sometimes even crying) with me as we have experienced ups and downs together over many years.

It is more important now than ever before that we come together as an industry and celebrate each other and all that we have accomplished over the past three years.  I know I am personally grateful to have been part of AFP-NYC during this challenging time.  Let’s hear each other’s stories and  recognize that we are strongest together. 

Thank you to everyone who has already registered to attend Fundraising Day in New York 2022 at The Marriott on Friday. June 17^th.  It’s not too late to register: https://nycafp.org/News-Events/Fundraising-Day-in-New-York-2022

I look forward to seeing everyone later this month.  Please introduce yourself to me if we haven’t met before.  I’ll be the guy with the huge smile on his face all day!