Advance Your Career: AFP San Diego awards scholarships each year to promote philanthropy and professional development among our members.
Applications for 2026 now open!
Chamberlain Scholarship Application
Colette M. Murray Fellows Scholarship Application
CFRE Exam/Application Scholarship Application
Emerging Nonprofit Scholarship Application
Important 2026 Dates:
- September 27, 2026: Applications Due
- October: Committee Review
- Early November: Recipients Notified
Eligibility requirements for ALL scholarships:
a. Must be employed by a qualified 501(c)(3) organization in San Diego County;
b. Must spend at least 50% of their time on fundraising duties and responsibilities, if working full-time / 40 hours per week;
c. Must spend 100% of their time on fundraising duties and responsibilities, if employed part-time / 20 hours per week
Chamberlain Scholarship
This scholarship is designed to help individuals develop their fundraising knowledge and skills through participation in the AFP International Conference (AFP ICON). The Chamberlain Scholarship covers the early-bird rate of the Conference registration fee (less $10) and provides $750 toward travel expenses (airfare, lodging, meals or incidentals, not including alcohol) for one AFP San Diego Chapter member.
Eligibility:
a. The Candidate must be a fundraising professional who has never attended an AFP International Conference.
b. Applicants must be an AFPSD member in good standing for at least two years and must have attended a minimum of two education panels or programs in each of the previous two years.
c. Detailed receipts must be submitted for reimbursement.
Colette M. Murray Fellows Scholarship
The Colette M. Murray Fellows Scholarship offers incentives, education, tools and resources to San Diego County nonprofit employees who either work in or serve diverse communities. The Chapter’s ultimate goal is to encourage greater numbers of persons from diverse communities and/or serving diverse communities to become active members of AFP San Diego, AFP International and our profession. Awardees receive a two-year AFPSD membership, access to chapter events and a mentor.
Eligibility:
a. Employed in the fundraising profession no more than three years;
b. Not currently a member of AFP, but commit to continuing paid membership in AFP at the conclusion of the two-year Fellows Program;
c. Have the full support of their supervisor and their organization's leadership to participate in this two-year educational program (note from supervisor on official organization letterhead);
d. Attend at least 50% of chapter events;
e. Recipient will receive one ticket to National Philanthropy Day, provided they volunteer the evening prior to the event for set-up and/or work the check-in tables on event day.
CFRE Exam/Application Scholarship
The AFPSD CFRE Exam/Application Scholarship is available to one (1) AFPSD member, who is a fundraising professional and meets eligibility requirements to sit for the exam as outlined by CFRE International. This scholarship awards $700 to help cover the cost of the application and exam.
Eligibility:
a. Candidate must be an AFP San Diego Chapter member in good standing for at least two years and must have attended a minimum of two education panels or programs in each of the previous two years.
b. Candidate must be employed as a full-time fundraising professional or, if the candidate is an executive director, at least 50 percent of their time must be devoted to fundraising.
c. Candidate applying for a scholarship is responsible for covering any difference there may be for the CFRE Exam/application fee.
d. Complete an evaluation form about his/her experience within 3 months following the CFRE Exam, and submit it to the AFP Scholarship Chair. The evaluation will be shared with the AFSPD board and potentially be used as a learning tool with the general membership.
e. Mentor an AFP member within two years of taking the exam.
Emerging Nonprofit Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is for emerging nonprofit organizations, providing an AFP Nonprofit Organizational Membership (Small) to two local organizations. Our goal is to increase community access, participation and membership in AFPSD for organizations that might typically be unable to participate due to budget constraints.
Questions? Please contact office@afpsd.org.