Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities

The AFP Southwest Florida Chapter offers scholarships to provide opportunities for participants to increase their professionalism, knowledge and skills by attending courses, conferences and workshops relevant to fundraising professionals offered locally, nationally and internationally.

Membership Incentive: Six (6) scholarships of 50% of the dues fees to the AFP Southwest Florida Chapter, including one to be reserved for diversity. These scholarships are available to individuals applying as new members, as well as those whose memberships have lapsed and circumstances make it challenging for them to renew. The chapter also offers one membership incentive scholarship annually to a person that self identifies as being part of a diverse community. If you would like to apply for the Diversity & Inclusion membership scholarship, please send an email to: kim.afpswfl@gmail.com.  Deadline: Rolling application.   

  • Must be interested in becoming an actively involved member of the AFP Southwest Florida Chapter.
  • Must have participated in three (3) chapter meetings or programs within the last 18 months before being considered eligible for an award. It is preferred that only one applicant at a time per organization per calendar year apply for a membership scholarship.
  • Must be employed as a fundraising professional, or if serving as an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising.
  • In the case of re-employment of unemployed scholarship recipients or change in employment of a scholarship recipient, the membership will stay with the individual so long as the individual remains in the nonprofit field.
  • An individual may receive a membership incentive scholarship only once. Scholarship Committee and Board members are eligible to apply, but may not participate in any discussion or consideration of their own application.

CFRE Credential Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships for up to $500 each toward obtaining a CFRE credential. The AFP Southwest Florida Chapter CFRE Credential Scholarship can be used toward the CFRE review course and study guide, CFRE test fees, or CFRE approved Continuing Education courses prior to test date. Funds are only available for two years of testing windows. Recipients are responsible for registration and/or ordering materials and submitting receipts to the AFP Southwest Florida Chapter. Deadline: 90 days before desired opportunity.

  • Must be an active member of the AFP Southwest Florida Chapter.
  • Must be employed as a fundraising professional, or if serving as an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising.
  • All continuing education courses must be CFRE Continuing Education approved courses.
  • Scholarship cannot be combined with other AFP Southwest Florida Chapter educational scholarships.
  • Preference will be given to individuals who have already begun the CRFE application process.
  • If a scholarship is awarded, funds will only be available for two years of testing windows.
  • Recipient agrees to provide a report back to the Scholarship Committee accounting for funds used, and what they found most beneficial from the award.
  • Scholarship Committee and Board members are eligible to apply, but may not participate in any discussion or consideration of their own application.
  • Must have participated in three (3) chapter meetings or programs within the last 18 months before being considered eligible for an award.
Chamberlain Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of a registration fee to the AFP International Conference. This scholarship covers the registration fee with an exception of a $10 reservation fee, which must be paid by the scholar. The AFP Southwest Florida Chapter will provide reimbursement for travel, lodging and other meals (up to $500). Recipients are responsible for registering for the conference and making all travel and lodging arrangements and upon return, submitting all receipts to the Southwest Florida Chapter.  Deadline: October 31. 
  • Must be an active member of the AFP Southwest Florida Chapter.
  • Must be employed as a fundraising professional, or if serving as an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising.
  • Candidate has never attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising as a registered participant (unless as a member of the Conference Host Committee).
  • Agrees to complete and return a report back to the Scholarship Committee about his or her experience.
  • Only one individual from the AFP Southwest Florida Chapter may be selected.
  • Scholarship Committee and Board members are eligible to apply, but may not participate in any discussion or consideration of their own application.
  • Must have participated in three (3) chapter meetings or programs within the last 18 months before being considered eligible for an award.

Click here for scholarship application
Note:  If you have received a particular scholarship in the past, you are not eligible to receive it an additional time

Andria Piekarz                           Sarah Wertheimer
Mote Marine Laboratory         Embracing Our Differences
Scholarship Co-Chair               Scholarship Co-Chair

Submit application to Kim Noyes, Chapter Administrator, kim.afpswfl@gmail.com


Diversity: AFP Southwest Florida Chapter defines diversity as a core value in relation to board members and individual chapter members, the organizational missions they represent, the people they serve, and the community within which AFP Southwest Florida Chapter operates. It is an inclusive concept encompassing, without limitation, race, color, ethnicity, culture, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation or identity on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, religion or lack thereof, age, economic class, educational level, rural or urban location (geography), language, immigration status, physical mobility and ability, and marital and parental status. The state of being diverse