Chapter Leadership Brief 12.18.2020

By Steve Jacobson, AFP-NYC President and CEO, JCA, Inc.

For most people, 2020 can’t end soon enough.  I know that I’m one of those people.  I’d really like to see this year in the rearview mirror.  I think that we’ve all become accustomed to chalking up anything bad or just plain weird to 2020.  All of our problems will just magically disappear when the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2021, right?  Unfortunately, that’s unlikely to happen.

What will change things?  Taking charge!  It’s been so hard to do so in 2020 as we feel sometimes that we’ve lost control over just about everything.  Whether it’s the pandemic, racial and social injustice or political polarization, sometimes it just feels that no matter what we do, it’s not enough.  Businesses, including many nonprofits, have closed.  Tensions that pit neighbor against neighbor have escalated into open conflict.  There are forces out there that just seem to overwhelm us.

Well, in 2021, let’s change that!  We need to focus on what we can control and what we can move forward.  Our nonprofit community is resilient.  We’ve come back from adversity every time we’ve faced that challenge.  And, we’ll come through these times as well.

On January 28^th, from 9am to 10:30am, the AFP New York City chapter will be holding its Annual Meeting.  While we typically hold our meeting at one of the fantastic venues at Chelsea Piers, replete with stellar views and unrivaled Abigail Kirsch catering, this year’s meeting will be a mostly-live remote event.  The theme: Take Charge of 2021!  We have a fantastic line-up who will provide you with the insight and expertise to help you gain control.

We’ll sit down with our special guest speaker, New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, to discuss the key issues facing our city and state as we plan for the New Year.  Our own Kerry Watterson will moderate a panel of leading nonprofit executives and funders, including Asha Curran, the CEO of Giving Tuesday, and Tony Hillery, the Founder and Executive Director of Harlem Grown.  And, of course, we’ll have our presentation of the annual Chamberlain Award which celebrates a lifetime of dedication and service to the New York City chapter.

The Annual Meeting is free to members and just $15 for nonmembers, but everyone must register. I hope to “see” you there!

Chapter Leadership Brief 12.04.2020

By Craig H. Shelley, CFRE, Chapter Treasurer & Managing Director, Orr Group

As it does every year, the barrage of #GivingTuesday emails and social posts initially filled me with cynicism and eye-rolls but by the end of the day had me feeling inspired and optimistic about the future of our world and philanthropy’s role in it.  At my core I’m an optimistic person who believes we can do better.  The core is just buried below the jaded exterior of a native New Yorker.

Coming out of that inspirational day earlier this week thinking happy thoughts, I’ve been simultaneously thinking we need to do more to celebrate philanthropy and actively ensure its future success.  Thankfully the chapter’s National Philanthropy Day event is coming on December 8^th and will help accomplish both.  The unique format of this event (isn’t everything this year unique?) will provide an opportunity to gather, but also to participate in a dialogue on the opportunity presented by creating environments in our organizations that facilitate fundraisers of color thriving in their roles.

Philanthropy does so much good in the world, yet you need only look around an AFP event, your own offices or, in my case, look in the mirror to realize our field has only been drawing talent from a narrow band of the potential people who could be fundraisers.  Once we’re accessing the most talented people from all demographics to be fundraisers, we’ll raise more money from larger demographics of donors as well.  National Philanthropy Day will gather a panel of leaders for a discussion titled, Fundraisers of Color are the Future!  I’m looking forward to it and hope you’ll join us.

Chapter Leadership Brief 11.19.2020

By Michele Hall-Duncan, AFP-NYC Secretary, CEO and President of enCourage Kids Foundation 

I am pleased to report that I am of the age to receive the AARP Bulletin each month. The November 2020 issue contains the usual articles urging us to reset our finances, avoid scams, and understand Medicare.  It also includes an article about kindness and generosity. “It is only through the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.” This quote by Ethel Percy Andrus, truly resonated with me. It reminded me of how wonderful each of our donors are.

Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday are less than two weeks away, and the season of giving and hope prompts us once again to tell our unique mission stories. Remember to thank your donors for their extraordinary kindness and generosity during this past year. There were many worthy causes to choose from - and they chose you.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Chapter Leadership Brief 11.05.2020

By Jill Scibilia, CFRE, AFP-NYC President-Elect
Vice President, Development
Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health

Being Kind is underrated.

By “kind,” I do not mean “nice.”  The words are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have different meanings.

Kind is defined as “of a good or benevolent nature or disposition” or “having, showing or proceeding from benevolence.” 

Nice is defined as “pleasing, agreeable, delightful.”

Perhaps I can better illustrate what I mean with a story or two.

One of my former bosses did me the greatest kindness throughout the six years we worked together by giving me the gift of her candor.  Sometimes this meant she was tough on me. That did not always feel “nice” even though it was constructive feedback.   She also gave praise when it was deserved.  There were also times when she and I did not agree, but we developed a strong relationship built on mutual respect.  More often than not, she served in the role of mentor to me, but she also helped me learn how to effectively “manage up” and give candid feedback to a leader.  

Then there was the time when a donor who was also a volunteer said to me, “Don’t be so defensive or I am going to stop sharing my thoughts with you.”  This was quite a few years ago. It was shortly after I had been given a promotion with new responsibilities including more people to manage.  I was learning that being an effective fundraiser while managing effective fundraisers was a whole new challenge.  He had been providing feedback that was not so easy for me to hear and I reacted by slipping into a defensive mode. My response was not kind or helpful, and it was shutting down the conversation.  The donor paid me the kindness of telling me. He also shared that his feedback was kindly meant and its purpose was to be helpful to me and the mission I served. 

The kindness that this boss and donor paid me helped me to grow professionally; it also helped us develop strong partnerships allowing us to ultimately achieve more for the mission of the organization we served.

Avoiding a defensive response to candid feedback is difficult; I find it challenging to this day.  Feedback is not always factual or based on facts.  It can simply be someone sharing their perspective.  When it is done with kindness and kind intent, it is always valuable.

When feedback is delivered with anger, we still have the opportunity to respond with kindness.  Kindness can diffuse situations.  Being kind is a powerful action.  A kind person approaches others with respect.  She also respects herself and expects she will be treated with respect in return. 

Finally, remember to be kind to yourself as well as others.  These are challenging, unprecedented times. 

Being kind and its mindset of “having, showing or proceeding from benevolence” is by its very definition the work we as fundraisers work to nurture in others.  The work you do matters and makes a difference.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising.

With gratitude and kindness,
Jill

Chapter Leadership Brief 10.23.2020

By Steve Jacobson
AFP-NYC President and CEO, JCA, Inc.

As you’re undoubtedly aware, Election Day is now just 11 days away.  For some 47 million of us who have already voted, we can sit back and know that we’ve fulfilled our constitutional duty to cast our ballots for our preferred local, state and federal candidates.  For those of you who haven’t yet voted in person (early), by mail or secure ballot box, please get out there and do so now.  And, of course, if you’re going to vote at your polling place on Election Day itself, stay safe and cast your ballot.

One thing that I would like you to think about if you haven’t yet voted – and I’m not about to tell you whom to vote for – is to think about the future of charitable fundraising before you do.  Let’s support the candidates who believe in the good work that we all do.  Let’s support the candidates who value the services we provide and the missions that we serve.  And, let’s support those candidates who support and incentivize charitable giving. 

As part of the CARES Act passed in March, Congress established a temporary $300 above-the-line deduction for anyone who makes a charitable contribution in 2019 or 2020 ($600 if married).  That’s certainly a start, but what really needs to be done is to expand that deduction even more.  In fact, right now, there is a bipartisan bill in the Senate that would, indeed, do just that.  Sponsored by Senators Lankford (R-OK), Coons (D-DE), Lee (R-UT), Shaheen (D-NH), Scott (R-SC) and Klobuchar (D-MN), The Universal Giving Pandemic Response Act would increase the deduction from the current $300 to $4,026 for individuals and $8,052 for married couples. The House has taken up an identical bill, introduced by Mark Walker (R-NC) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) and co-sponsored by three other Republicans and nine other Democrats. However, neither bill makes this deduction permanent.

With all this bipartisan support across both chambers of Congress, it sounds like this should be a slam dunk, right?  Unfortunately, both bills have been referred to committee and there they sit, taking a backseat to other coronavirus legislation, the Supreme Court nomination and the election itself.  So, what can you do?  Write or call your legislators and tell them how important an increase is to the universal charitable deduction is – and to make it permanent.

Vote!  Vote!  Vote!

Chapter Leadership Brief 10.09.2020

By Craig H. Shelley, CFRE
Chapter Treasurer & Managing Director, Orr Group

True confession, I’ve been re-watching a lot of The West Wing the last few months.  Something about feeling as if our society is doom-spiraling towards simultaneous catastrophes of our own making has me longing for the aspirational prose of Aaron Sorkin and his fictional band of over intellectualized do-gooders.  One of the things that always struck me about President Bartlett’s fictional leadership style was his prodding, “What’s next?” at the conclusion of solving whatever calamity they had just rescued the nation from.   Somehow it always seemed equal parts intended to instill urgency (there’s more to do), modesty (don’t rest on your laurels) and provide a narrative transition.  I feel like we need all those things right now and find myself asking, “what’s next?’ often.

In the nonprofit sector we don’t know what’s next.  I know we need strategies that are nimbler and donors more bonded to our missions and brand than the transaction of events.  I know none of us are smart enough to know much more than that.  However, I also know fundraisers will be central to finding the answer.  We’re a creative bunch of story tellers who build relationships and are goal oriented.  Can you think of a better combination of skills for the times we’re in?  Do your work with your donors and secure the resources to fuel the work of your organizations but also be sure your voice is heard as organizational strategies and objectives are determined in these uncertain times.

Whatever comes next our community of fundraisers will be essential.  Let us know how the Chapter can help provide you the skills, the networking and commiseration you need to excel.

Thanks for your hard work the last seven months.  What’s next?

Chapter Leadership Brief 9.25.2020

By Michele Hall, AFP-NYC Secretary
President & CEO enCourage Kids Foundation 

Sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Yet, the winter season bridges the end of one year and the beginning of another. It’s a time for reflection and a time for renewal. And arguably the time for your largest fundraising push. As you plan your Giving Tuesday strategy, year-end appeals, winter virtual galas, virtual walks, and other fourth quarter campaigns, continue to embrace the change and fluidity of the moment we find ourselves in. We must continue to create new ways out of the old ones.

Earlier this month we explored how to cultivate and steward donors in the virtual space. Many of our colleagues are finding success, as they become more comfortable with this new method of communication.

Remember to also set aside time with your team to participate in our Watch Party Wednesdays, where we view a pre-recorded session from a different FRDNY track. You can then, not only explore what you’ve learned during a facilitated discussion with other participants, but also ideate with your own team.

While we all continue to develop our sea legs in this new climate and prepare for winter, remember that your AFP chapter is here for you.

Chapter Leadership Brief 9.11.2020

By Jill Scibilia, CFRE, AFP-NYC President-Elect, Vice President, Development, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health

Nineteen is a particularly sad number this year. 

Nineteen years ago today on a Tuesday morning in early September, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives and more than 6,000 were injured.  In just a few short hours, our world changed forever. 

We are also now nine months into a global pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus called “COVID-Nineteen” that has already claimed the lives of more than 900,000 people across the globe and nearly 200,000 in the United States.  We don’t yet know the full magnitude of this pandemic or what all will change in our world as a result. We do know this will test us in ways we have not been tested before.

As professional fundraisers, we know these events can inspire people to respond in profound ways through their philanthropic giving.  Americans gave what was then a record amount following 9-11 and the story of charitable giving in response to COVID-19 is still being written.

How people respond to situations like these through their generosity can be very meaningful.  We have the opportunity—and dare I say the responsibility as fundraisers—to help people respond by connecting them with tangible ways they can support.  We may also gain the additional gift of hearing their stories and why they want to make a difference.  This is one of the reasons I love the fundraising profession.     

Our work can also wear on us.  Many of us lost people nineteen years ago or know first responders who answered the call.  Many of us lost people as a result of COVID-19 or know those who work on the front-lines.  All of us are still experiencing COVID-19, and it is important we take care of ourselves. 

One way I am going to do this is by continuing my practice of treating September 11^th as a day apart. I will certainly engage with donors, but today will not be a day I initiate a solicitation. My focus will be to connect with those for whom I know today holds a special significance.  I will also take the personal time to remember all those we lost nineteen years ago, all those who responded and all those who live on.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising—and for all you do to help people make a difference.

With gratitude,

Jill

There have likely been moments in your life where you’ve leaned on someone you trust for advice or assistance. Whether the person you turned to is a professor, friend, family member, or colleague, the importance of mentors is undeniable. These people can help to shape your present situation and future opportunities for the better. From making career decisions to fostering partnerships, a mentor can help you successfully navigate your fundraising journey.

I know the importance of mentorship first hand. I have had valuable mentors in the past and currently serve as a mentor for the Association Of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at both the global and local levels. Then, when I was elected to the AFP-NYC board of directors in January 2020, I was tasked with chairing their Mentorship Program. I could not have been more excited.

The Background

Before I go further, I must acknowledge the work that occurred before 2020. I owe a debt of gratitude to AFP-NYC's outgoing board member, Cathy Sharp. She chaired their mentorship program for many years and I am fortunate to have inherited a robust and dedicated program and committee of volunteers.

During the hand-off, Cathy and I discussed the elements of the program that were strong and the areas that needed further growth. After surveying past program participants, interviewing countless other AFP chapters, and speaking to committee volunteers, the elements were reiterated.

After the survey data was synthesized and analyzed, the committee developed a plan to enhance the chapter’s mentoring program and provide more meaningful engagements for both mentors and mentees moving forward.  We affirmed that the mentorship program would benefit from a more customized mentor/mentee pairing process, the intentional incorporation of the IDEA values into the process, and a more structured and resourced program.

Not only did we strive to match mentees with skilled mentors, but we also wanted to set participants up for success and allow them to bring their whole selves to the program. Thus, the AFP-NYC Mentorship program was temporarily shut down and the committee got to work.

The Launch

I am thrilled to collaborate with my fellow committee members on the Mentorship Program's relaunch. I am confident this recalibration will offer AFP-NYC chapter members an opportunity to develop as professionals and will result in a robust cohort of consummate professionals better prepared to tackle our city’s greatest challenges.

I am so thankful to them for their hard work behind the scenes. Since January, we have met diligently every four weeks to chip away at the work. They have shown up, provided thoughtful feedback, and worked tirelessly in the hopes of delivering a quality program to AFP-NYC members. Here are some of the key changes that you can look for from the chapter’s mentoring program:

• Cohort Model: Rather than one-off matching, the program will now function on an annual basis. Interested participants (both prospective mentees and mentors) will be required to fill out an application identifying their professional goals. From there, the committee will utilize a standardized scoring mechanism to select an annual cohort of ten mentee/mentor pairings each calendar year. Furthermore, to ensure that all AFP-NYC members are able to receive mentorship, our committee will also be hosting quarterly speed mentoring events throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information!

• Enhanced & Customized Matching: The success of this program hinges on our ability to recruit dynamic mentor and mentee candidates. We have designed our application to address five critical questions: 1. Are prospective mentee’s professional goals clearly enumerated, well thought out, realistic and achievable in a one-year term? 2. Are the particular challenges the prospective mentee is seeking to overcome and/or the professional development they are hoping to receive clearly enumerated, well thought out, realistic and achievable in a one-year term? 3. Does the prospective mentee bring unique characteristics, strengths or skills to the cohort? 4. Has the prospective mentee demonstrated a commitment to the profession, professional development, and AFP engagement? 5. Does the prospective mentee bring aspects of demographic diversity to the 2021 cohort? Based on these answers, we select our ten mentees and match them with seasoned fundraisers who are uniquely qualified to meet their needs.
   
• Infusion of IDEA: AFP-NYC affirms that systemic and institutionalized racism permeates every corner of our industry. To help combat this, we have added space to our application to allow prospective mentees to enumerate various demographic criteria they are seeking in a mentor. We believe that the experience is strengthened when a mentor shares an identity with or has faced similar challenges as their mentee. Furthermore, our program is committed to providing professional development opportunities to members of the fundraising industry who have been historically underrepresented and may benefit from our program in compounded ways.
   
• Program Benefits: In addition to knowledge and professional experience, participants will be offered the following benefits while completing the program: 1. A personalized matching with a seasoned fundraiser. 2. A twelve-month formal program to work on self-selected professional development goals. 3. An opportunity to author an article for Fundraising Matters, AFP-NYS's biweekly newsletter. 4. An exclusive meet & greet with AFP-NYC board members. 5. An opportunity to create a micro-learning video to be released on social media. 6. Lifetime access to a private LinkedIn group of all past program participants. 7. Spotlights on social media and recognition at AFP-NYC signature events.
   
• Structure & Resources: Throughout the year, the cohort will gather to check-in on each other's progress, cross-collaborate to solve common problems, discuss current events, and provide each other with feedback. Additionally, individual sessions with mentors will be resourced with suggested monthly objectives. Finally, each pairing will be matched with a Mentorship Program Steward (a member of the Mentorship Committee), who will check-in, be available for questions, and guide participants through the year.
   

How To Get Involved

I am sure you may have questions about the program’s format, level of commitment, and other factors before applying in October. I welcome you to watch the recording of our latest information session (PW is SeptMentor_2022).

Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. On behalf of the entire AFP-NYC Mentorship Committee, I thank you for your support and hope to see you there!

By: Juliana M. Weissbein, CFRE
AFP-NYC Board Member
AFP-NYC Mentorship Program, Chair
AFP Global, Women's Impact Initiative, Member
​Associate Director, Development Operations
Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Chapter Leadership Brief 8.28.2020

By Steve Jacobson, AFP-NYC President and CEO, JCA, Inc.

You’re walking down the street, when a man in a trench coat approaches.  In a semi-socially distant way, he whispers to you, “Pssst… Hey, buddy, wanna buy some data?  New data breach. Got some fresh names. Credit card data, too.”  No, of course, it doesn’t happen that way, but your data can get out there. Your donor data is the lifeblood of your organization.  You can’t afford not to secure it.

As many of you know, Blackbaud, one of the major software suppliers to nonprofits, had a data breach back in May that affected what appears to be hundreds of nonprofits.  Community Brands, another major supplier in the nonprofit space, suffered a ransomware attack back in March.  A number of other suppliers in our space – and nonprofits themselves – have been attacked.  The fact that you are a nonprofit with a mission of social good means nothing to hackers.  Everyone is a target.

So, what do you do?  You start to ask questions.  If your fundraising system is on your local network, ask your IT team what your potential exposure is.  Can anyone from the outside gain access to your internal network?  What types of security have been implemented to protect you and your data? You also need to educate your colleagues on the types of emails that they shouldn’t open and, if they do, what not to click on.  Just today, I received a really credible looking email from someone I know – his real signature block, his real return email address.  But, it really wasn’t from the person I know.  No, it was sent by someone who had hacked into his email account and took it over.  Fortunately, before I clicked on a button that could have infected my computer (or worse), I noticed that I would have been directed to a really sketchy web address.

If your data is hosted by a third party, you need to fully understand who bears the risk and liability of a data breach.  Vendors are great at trying to avoid any responsibility.  Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure that you hold their feet to the fire as much as possible.  As Jon Dartley, a data privacy and security attorney at Perlman and Perlman says, “It is vital to have the appropriate legal terms in the contract to protect your interests.”  Find out what your liability limit is.  Have it in writing who bears the responsibility and cost of a data breach.  And, have the vendor agree on a specific timeframe within which they need to advise you of a data breach.

While your data is invaluable, so is your reputation.  You have worked hard to earn your donors’ trust.  If you don’t take the proper precautions to safeguard your data, you could see that all go up in smoke.