AFP Central Virginia
2022 - 2025 Strategic Plan
MISSION
AFP Central Virginia’s Mission is to advance philanthropy by enabling people to practice effective and ethical fundraising.
INTRODUCTION
This strategic plan reflects impacts and goals and is accompanied by a list of specific strategies to achieve those goals.
Developing the Strategic Plan has been a comprehensive and collaborative process. The plan was researched and developed throughout 2021. The task was to identify current and future environmental, programmatic, and operational opportunities and challenges; review input from local community organizations, key stakeholders and members; and shape the final plan.
AFP Central Virginia Chapter used the services of The Spark Mill, a Richmond, VA Strategic Planning firm to facilitate the process. Consultants from The Spark Mill coached the Strategic Planning Team to gather information using the following methodologies during the information-gathering portion of the planning process:
- One-on-one Interviews
- Membership Survey
- Strategic Planning Team Sessions
- Review of Client Provided Documents
- Board Retreat
BACKGROUND
The Central Virginia Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals advances philanthropy by enabling people to practice effective and ethical fundraising. The Central Virginia Chapter was formed in 1996. The service area covers Fredericksburg south to Tri-Cities and from Charlottesville to Williamsburg. Most events are held in the Richmond area.
Since 1960, AFP has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. Today, AFP Global serves nearly 30,000 members and the broader fundraising community in a myriad of ways, helping charities and fundraisers create even more impact around the world.
GOALS & STRATEGIES
Included in this Strategic Plan are important goals established through the planning process that each come with their own strategies and objectives to be actioned on by members of the AFP Central Virginia Chapter Board of Directors, committees, and members. The Board will be intentional about cross-communication among Committees and Board Members in the execution of the Plan. This plan includes three important areas of work for the Chapter: Member Value; Sector Advocacy; and Thriving and Inclusive Organization.
As a professional association, AFP Central Virginia aims to best serve members and those in the nonprofit sector in our region. Through the implementation of these goals, we hope to further engage members in new ways, support the nonprofit sector, and communicate our impact in the region in the coming years.
MEMBER VALUE
Members feel engaged in our chapter and recognize its value
Current member values include monthly programming, networking opportunities, newsletters, CFRE credits, and access to extensive resources provided through AFP Global.
(Membership Committee, Communications Committee, Program Committee)
- Deepen the value of membership
- Develop targeted affinity groups to engage micro-support networks
- Engage senior professionals to create content and resources
- Consider membership dues innovations to support inclusion of smaller organizations and younger professionals
- Increase members’ access to donors and community leaders on local priorities and investments
- Provide members special access and/or member discounts to AFP Global “owned” programs such as the CFRE Refresher Course and Fundamentals of Fundraising
- Connect members to global research and resources
- Increase sharing of AFP Global research and help connect members to resources by making them more accessible
- Use Chapter to validate and promote the work that is being done at AFP Global
SECTOR ADVOCACY
Members feel supported by a regional voice on philanthropy
Current sector advocacy includes National Philanthropy Day, participation in VFRI, and the Inclusive Fundraising Fellows program.
(National Philanthropy Day Committee, Inclusive Fundraising Fellows Committee, Programming Committee, Executive Committee)
- Serve as regional ambassadors within the local community
- Advocate for regional best practices in philanthropy
- Work with local job advertisers to support salary requirements for job announcements
- Convene conversations with donors and community leaders on local priorities and investments
- Champion investments in philanthropy and demonstrate the impact to sector leadership
- Promote the importance of major gift fundraising and provide the training and resources needed
- Honor philanthropists in the region through National Philanthropy Day
- Support the future of philanthropy and the fundraising profession
- Explore partnerships with universities or community colleges to engage with their students about fundraising careers and professional development opportunities
- Engage governing and young professional boards to participate in AFP programming and educate about the cycle of philanthropy and appropriate costs of nonprofit administration
- Promote young professional membership rate to executive directors and senior leaders to encourage joining AFP
- Position AFP as knowledge experts on charitable giving topics
- Create programs geared towards connecting development and programming teams to support each other’s efforts
- Redevelop the mentoring program to best meet the needs of members and the nonprofit sector
THRIVING AND INCLUSIVE ORGANIZATION
Members invest and participate in the future of the organization.
Current opportunities for engagement with the Chapter include Board or committee membership, mentoring, participation in Be the Cause, NPD sponsorships, and program sponsorships.
(IDEA Committee, Inclusive Fundraising Fellows Committee, Chapter Admin, Finance Committee, Be the Cause, Membership Committee)
- Organization maintains a sustainable structure that supports chapter needs
- Expand committees to engage more non-board members
- Create new or improve existing resources for committees and leadership positions, review job descriptions, and transition processes.
- Hire and retain Chapter administrative position
- Develop strong brand awareness in the region
- Develop an effective marketing and communications plan
- Review and improve Chapter websites and ways to engage with the Chapter
- Explore new revenue opportunities beyond membership dues and National Philanthropy Day
- Promote Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)
- Understand who are experts in IDEA topic areas, and utilize expertise and experience, including that of younger professionals, to help facilitate conversations on IDEA topics
- Recruit and provide education for BIPOC fundraisers and those seeking to enter the profession, including students exploring fundraising as a career path
- Sustain the Inclusive Fundraising Fellow program and utilize the expertise of past and current Fellows within Chapter programs and committees