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!

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)