Chapter Leadership Brief 5.20.2022

These are (still) difficult times. One million people have lost their lives to COVID-19. That is millions of families and friends who have lost their loved ones in this country alone. 

And I shudder to think of family members and friends who may never return from their routine grocery shopping because of racially-motivated mass killings. Like many of you, I am still processing the violent events within our borders and beyond.

I want to keep the faith - we shall (and must) overcome hate.

Speaking of keeping the faith, I am grateful to be part of the AFP community as we strive to combat the roots of hate, inequity, fear, and greed through the causes we serve. And thanks to AFP, I am getting an opportunity to learn and share on how we can move our organizations toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. 

I had this moment of learning and community while attending my first AFP ICON earlier this month. To be surrounded by more than 2,500 fellow fundraisers amid the glitz and the glamor of Las Vegas felt overwhelming and surreal at times – and also a great reminder that we will never tire of connecting in person. After two years of Zoom, it was amazing to share in the excitement and new learning with fellow New Yorkers at AFP ICON.

Shout out to keynote speakers for their thoughtful reflections. Olympian Allyson Felix mustered the courage to speak up for maternity protections even when it was not comfortable. Zainab Salbi closed the event with a reminder that kindness, respect, and authenticity are key in how we treat ourselves and others. We cannot serve others with kindness if we are not kind to ourselves and our families.

I am grateful to Change Machine for investing in professional development for all its employees, including myself. If you are in a leadership position, I hope you will consider sending your team to Fundraising Day New York on Friday, June 17th at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. It will pay dividends when your colleagues (and potential future employees) know that you and your organization care about learning, growth, and equity.

As a thank you, please use this code – FRM30 – to get $30 off each ticket. This code is only valid through next Friday, May 27th. We will be requiring proof of vaccination at our flagship event.

Thank you for reading. As Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

And be well.

Pinky Vincent

Chapter Leadership Brief 5.6.2022

We’re Back!!

On Wednesday, we will have our first in-person gala in two years. Fundraising events have been our bread and butter, therefore losing this particular revenue stream was devastating to our organization. Our staff was reduced by 60 percent and we had to reconfigure how we delivered our mission as well. When we passed the one-million dollar mark last week, our skeleton crew celebrated via Zoom and could not believe that we had hit our goal.

While we happily celebrate our accomplishment, we do so as an exhausted, overtaxed team. We were short three full time team members that would have supported the planning of the event, and it has been extremely difficult to recruit employees in this current climate. Job postings languish for weeks, sometimes months and the competition for talent is fierce. AFP-NYC will tackle this phenomenon in one of our upcoming Professional Advancement Sessions.

Be sure to save the date for our July 21st, session aptly named Turnover and the Great Resignation/Recruiting and Retaining Staff/Managing a Fundraising Team.  Join us at the Scandinavia House from 8:30 to 10:00AM on July 21^st. This is sure to continue to be a relevant topic for the near future.

Good luck to everyone as they begin to hold in-person events again! There’s nothing like it.

Chapter Leadership Brief 4.22.2022

By Jill Scibilia, CFRE

AFP-NYC President

Vice President, Development
Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health

Take a moment and think about what inspires you.  While this may change on any given day, for me, it is nearly always about “who” inspires me rather than “what.”

People are my largest source of inspiration. Some days I am inspired by a loved one; other days I am inspired by a donor or a colleague.  I have a bulletin board in my office that includes photos of people from all of these categories who inspire me.

I am also inspired by people I don’t know but encounter along the way and get to know. Each one of us has our own unique footprint, wisdom and spark. 

These last two years I have spent hours on ZOOM with people I have yet to meet in person. Does that sound familiar?  ZOOM and its cousin TEAMs have their charms, but for me, nothing beats being with people face-to-face whether it is planned, meeting someone for the first time, or that unplanned encounter when you run into someone you did not expect to see, but who suddenly makes your day.  Unplanned encounters are not so easy on ZOOM.

So, I am very much looking forward to upcoming in-person events including these three:

My organization is hosting our first in-person fundraising event since COVID this Sunday (other than golf).  Hooray!! The donors who steadfastly supported the hospital where I work throughout the pandemic have been one of my biggest sources of inspiration. I am grateful for all of the ways they stood with us as we pivoted to virtual engagement and events.  Some of the attendees on Sunday will be donors I have only met by phone and ZOOM thus far.

Next Thursday, April 28^th from 8:30 – 10am, AFP-NYC will host our first in-person professional advancement event in two years: “30 Actionable Ideas to Reinvigorate and Integrate Direct Mail, Online and Social Media Communications.” I’ve been inspired by how our Professional Advancement Committee has delivered exceptional content via ZOOM throughout the pandemic.  We have also heard from a growing number of fundraisers that you are ready for in-person events.  I hope to see you next Thursday morning.  To learn more and register visit: https://nycafp.org/News-Events/Upcoming-Events/30-actionable-ideas-to-reinvigorate-and-integrate-your-direct-mail-online-and-social-media-communications

Last but not least, Fundraising Day in New York is now just 8 weeks away. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired by 1,000+ other fundraising professionals. There is simply nothing like this event because of the people you plan to meet and those you encounter along the way. I hope to see you on Friday, June 17th for the return of Fundraising Day.  Learn more by visiting: https://web.cvent.com/event/c0a59784-523b-4524-be60-2b5814218a41/summary 

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising. 

With gratitude,

Jill

P.S. - AFP-NYC is a volunteer-driven organization.  I’d like to thank all of our volunteers who inspire by planning our events and activities and make all of our programming possible.  If you are interested in learning more about ways you can get involved, visit https://nycafp.org/Get-Involved/Get-Involved.

Chapter Leadership Brief 4.8.2022

Let’s get together

By Craig Shelley, CFRE, President-elect, AFP-NYC Chapter; Managing Director, Orr Group

I’m not sure if we’re in a lull between pandemic waves, onto some next phase of normalcy or are finally into the “new normal” we’ve all heard so much about.  Whatever this is, I know I’ve found the recent abundant opportunities I’ve had to see people in-person to be energizing.  Among other things it’s helped to remind me of the great potential and benefit our AFP chapter brings.  We have so many opportunities for fundraisers to come together and now that we can do so live and in-person, I’d really encourage you to take advantage.

One great upcoming example is our Small Shop Think Tank, a four-part series focused on practical ways to advance your fundraising.  This unique format of a defined cohort of 18 fundraisers meeting four times (with a mix of online and in-person) will provide the depth of relationships and learning we all find so valuable.

Also coming soon is our first in-person professional advancement session, 30 Actionable Ideas to Reinvigorate/Integrate Your Direct Mail, Online & Social Media Communication.  We’ll be back meeting in the morning at the Scandinavian House just like old times.  You won’t want to miss it, particularly with this important topic as the focus.  Integrating our channels is no longer a “nice to have.”  Your donors and prospects are consuming all of them and are way more sophisticated than they used to be.  This will be a good one.

And then, of course, we’ve got the granddaddy of ‘em all coming up – Fundraising Day in New York returns to the New York Marriott Marquis on June 17, 2022.  Registration is already proceeding at a record clip as people are eager to reunite at the largest one-day fundraising conference in the nation.

I hope to see you soon at one of these or the many other great opportunities the Chapter provides network and learn from each other through our one of a kind community.

Chapter Leadership Brief 3.25.2022

Hello to my fellow AFP-NYC chapter members!

When I was asked by our chapter to draft a Leadership Brief to our members, I knew that I had to sing the praises of our 2021 Mentorship Cohort.

After a year of behind-the-scenes work, the AFP-NYC mentorship program launched with a stellar group of participants in January 2021. It was a pleasure to facilitate the growth of our cohort through establishing connections that strengthen our sector by educating development professionals and nonprofit leaders in best practices in fundraising and applying the high standards of the AFP Code of Ethics.

Throughout the year, the 2021 cohort achieved many great accomplishments. They studied for their CFRE exam (a third-party certification that assesses fundraising competence), read industry specific books together, hosted sessions at Philanthrocon, and grew into a community of professionals working towards the betterment of our sector. I'd also like to thank our mentors and mentees for drafting Fundraising Matters articles. Check out their content here. The 2021 inaugural cohort set a high bar and I know our 2022 cohort will be up to the challenge.

So welcome to our 2022 AFP-NYC Mentorship Cohort! I am looking forward to learning from each of you and can’t wait to share your talents with our members this year. And to our members, keep an eye on your inbox as the Mentorship Committee will also be creating opportunities for our general membership base to seek mentoring opportunities at events throughout the year.

Thank you, again, to all of the folks behind the scenes working to ensure our industry is comprised of talented and ethical professionals.

In solidarity,

Juliana

AFP-NYC Board Member & Mentorship Chair

AFP Global Board Member

Associate Director, Development Operations, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Juliana M. Weissbein, CFRE

julianacfre.com

(2022 AFP-NYC Mentorship Cohort at their program kick-off event)

Chapter Leadership Brief 3.11.2022

The images on TV of a war-torn Ukraine are gut wrenching. The devastation to beautiful European cities is sickening.  Over two million innocent civilians—mostly women, children and the elderly—have fled their homeland to (hopefully) relative safety in neighboring countries. Many others have tried to do so, but have been killed or wounded trying to flee.  Thousands of those who have stayed have met the same fate.  It’s a horrific situation that makes us realize just how much evil there is, despite our naïve beliefs that this could never happen again in our civilized world.

But within all of this misery, there is a good story to be told.  An uplifting story.  It’s the story of people, many of whom with no previous connection to Ukraine, have reached deep into their pockets to help Ukrainian communities.  And people have gotten creative.  In the midst of this humanitarian crisis, people have booked stays on Airbnb in Ukraine, not because they planned to stay there, but as a way to get funds to Ukrainians quickly. In fact, over a two-day period last week, more than $2 million was “earned” by Ukrainian Airbnb hosts, who were then able to use that money for food, medicine and other necessities.

A Virginia woman, originally from Ukraine, is raising money by holding borscht cooking classes and donating those proceeds to Ukrainian relief efforts.  To date, she has raised over $200,000.  On a larger and more global level, over 102,000 crypto currency donations, totaling more than $55 million, have gone to the Ukrainian government and Come Back Alive, a nonprofit providing support to the military.  In the UK, a Ukraine fundraiser spearheaded by the Disasters Emergency Committee, a group of 15 leading UK charities, has raised over £85 million ($111 million).

The outpouring of philanthropic support has been overwhelming, but not surprising. In times of crisis, we come together.  We dig deep and we pitch in.  As the go-to resource on fundraising, NYC-AFP is here to help you support Ukraine relief and other worthy causes. Our mission is to help you and your organization become more effective fundraisers.  It’s what we do!

Chapter Leadership Brief 2.25.2022

"Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month…"

"'The Black History Month 2022 theme, 'Black Health and Wellness,' explores 'the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well."" (History.com)

As I reflect on the theme for this year's Black History Month, what it means to me and what it may mean to others. I think of the African American  medical pioneers who showed extreme bravery and courage as they aspired toward their professional dreams in the face of extreme adversity and lack of access(Everydayhealth.com):

James McCune Smith, born into salvery in New York City, became the first Black Physician to have his own practice and pharmacy in the United States

Daniel Hale Williams, founded the first black-owned hospital in America, and performed the world’s first successful heart surgery in 1893

Patricia Bath, Born in 1942 in Harlem, Bath is a pioneer who was instrumental in the treatment and prevention of blindness.

Solomon Fuller, was the first Black psychiatrist in the United States, he conducted substantial research regarding degenerative diseases of the brain.  Fuller worked with and translated German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer's work into English.

Charles Drew, Drew is the ultimate medical pioneer. As a surgeon, he developed ground-breaking ways to store blood plasma in blood banks. His work made the way for the modern blood transfusion.

What do all of these medical pioneers have in common and how does this apply to the way your organization can enrich the way it raises funds?  They are all a part of the African Diaspora and they were all the first in their field. In each case, someone was able to see their brilliant talents and not stand in the way of what they could accomplish just because no one in the modern world had ever seen anyone who looked like them perform what must have been considered as miraculous acts.  The medical geniuses listed above were able to express their thoughts and put their ingenuity to work to solve problems which had never been solved in the past and we are all better for it. 

The same can happen for your Organization, Board, staff and recipients of your direct service work.

If you haven't done so already, institute the celebration of Black History Month into your organization's culture. 

Look for ways to incorporate IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access)  Ideals into your fundraising strategies, Donor Research, Board composition and diversification of your organization's leadership.  Consider joining one of AFP-NYC's committees where we are actively engaged in the conversation and are doing the work.  Everyone your organization impacts will be better for it too. 

"History despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be faced again."- Maya Angelou

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising.

With gratitude,
Crystal

P.S. - If you are not already engaged in AFP-NYC, I want to encourage you to get involved (https://nycafp.org/News-Events/Upcoming-Events) and add your voice to the conversation.  We are stronger together. 

P.P.S. – I am honored to serve as the Chair of the IDEA Committee of AFP-NYC.  Alongside my colleagues  Christa Orth and Pinky Vincent Co Vice-Chairs of the IDEA Committee.

Chapter Leadership Brief 2.11.2022

Greeting AFP NYC Friends,

According to Forbes, 80% of people admit that they abandon their new year’s resolutions by February. Whether or not you are in that group, AFP-NYC is here to support you in your personal and professional journey as a fundraiser. The Chapter offers a myriad of opportunities for you to learn about current trends and best practices, grow as a professional and connect with colleagues in the field.

LEARN: February kicks off the Chapter’s annual educational programming with a powerhouse panel on donor stewardship- “Donor Engagement to Get You Through Omicron and Beyond” - on Thursday, February 16^th at 8:30am.  After two years, we are still grappling with an ever-evolving pandemic. Join the conversation to dive into the most effective stewardship practices that are creating meaningful relationships with our donors.  You can register for this panel here.

GROW: Challenge yourself this year. Fundraising Day in New York is the largest, single-day conference on philanthropy! With sessions covering topics across our sector, you can easily add to your fundraising toolbox and set yourself up for that next job or promotion! Keep an eye out as registration opens soon!

CONNECT: AFP-NYC has more than a dozen committees and other opportunities for members to volunteer and work closely with colleagues on moving our sector forward. I urge you to sign up at https://nycafp.org/Get-Involved/Get-Involved. Committee work is where I have forged invaluable relationships with colleagues while doing work that was vital to me as a fundraiser.

I hope you will take advantage of all that AFP has to offer!

Chapter Leadership Brief 1.28.2022

Greetings AFP members and friends!

Our Annual Meeting was quite the success. I truly enjoyed hearing the inspirational words of Kat Rosqueta this morning. Congratulations to Dianne Armstrong for being honored with this year’s Ralph E. Chamberlain award.  It was also great to hear AFP President and CEO Mike Geiger deliver an inspiring state of the industry address.

We are also excited to welcome our new board members, new officers and our new President Jill Scibilia. As Jill said today, we must thank Steve Jacobson for his incredible leadership and our outgoing board members for their valuable service. I am honored to continue to serve the membership as board secretary and plan to commit with even more intention to the chapter.

As we move optimistically into 2022, the year will continue to challenge us with new opportunities to expand our IDEA initiatives, explore cryptocurrency, refine hybrid events, understand the great resignation, and much more. All of your AFP-NYC chapter committees are hard at work building learning and networking opportunities to make this the best year ever! I hope that you will continue to take advantage of all the benefits of AFP membership, and if you aren’t a member - JOIN!

I hope you will Invest in yourself this year and your career by taking advantage of all that AFP has to offer. May we all have a productive 2022!

Chapter Leadership Brief 1.15.2022

By Craig Shelley, CFRE, AFP-NYC President-elect
Managing Director, Orr Group

This is the year I finally give up and won’t make a resolution to lose weight.  Who am I kidding?  I like cookies.  I like beer.  I don’t feel like buying smaller pants anyway.

That said, I will fall into the trap and try to commit to some more realistic resolutions.  I figured I’d share them here and maybe the extra, public accountability will help?

As a leader in this chapter, my resolution is to ensure we continue to forge a more diverse and inclusive New York City fundraising community.  We can do more for the world if we expand beyond the narrow band of talent we’ve traditionally pulled from.  Additionally, as we either come out of or evolve to a permanent state of pandemic, I’m committed to working with my fellow board members to reestablish our value proposition for members and the sector.  You all need a place to commiserate, learn and genuinely feel like there’s a group out here advocating for you.

As a fundraiser, I’m committed to engaging donors more.  They deserve the opportunity to be more than passive passengers on the journeys of the nonprofits they support.  I want to be intentional about creating opportunities for genuine donor engagement, not just “stewardship.”

As an adviser, partner, and consultant to the sector’s most ambitious leaders, I want to resolve to always push and challenge assumptions.   I want to ask the hard questions about what prevents us from doing more and then help to remove those obstacles.

As a father and husband, I am committed to being more patient.  Just because my family members are perfect in my eyes doesn’t mean I can hold them to a standard of unrealistic perfection in all they do.  They need more chill out of me.

And what the heck, I might as well lose 5-10lbs.  Maybe this is the year?