Kerry Bartlett, CFRE, MBA: "I have always viewed my AFP membership as an investment in my development as a nonprofit professional and in the collective fundraising profession. I joined AFP in January 1999 as a member of the AFP Treasure Coast (which included Indian River County). The ROI I have experienced over the last 27 years is immeasurable. But … the best parts have involved the people I have met and worked alongside for the love of our community."

Jennifer Downes, CFRE, BAS: "AFP is important to me because it brings together two essential elements for a thriving fundraising career: continuous professional development and meaningful connection with fellow colleagues. I value the opportunity to learn, share ideas, and build relationships with other fundraising professionals who are equally passionate about advancing missions and strengthening our communities."

Ashley Marshall, MS, CFRM: "AFP has made a meaningful difference in my career by connecting me with fundraising professionals who have become mentors, colleagues, and friends. The education and resources have helped me grow as a fundraiser, but it’s the relationships I’ve built through AFP that have had the greatest impact on my professional journey."

Robyn Orzel: "I've been part of AFP for almost 30 years, and a member of this chapter since it was founded in 2006. What keeps me engaged, year after year, is the community—the chance to collaborate with colleagues who are just as supportive and generous with their knowledge as they are passionate about their work."

Bev Shea: "AFP has made a meaningful difference in my career by connecting me with colleagues who are generous with their knowledge, supportive of one another, and passionate about philanthropy. What keeps me engaged is the opportunity to learn from others, share ideas, and continue growing as a fundraising professional. For me, the best part of being an AFP member is the people and the genuine sense of community we share."

Elizabeth Thomason: "AFP grounds my nonprofit’s leadership in ethical standards and accountability. Through the professional development offerings, our team continuously refines donor stewardship to ensure lasting community impact."

Scholarships Available Here  

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Help Us Shape Our Inaugural IDEA Workshop!

Your voice matters, and there’s still time to make it heard!

The AFP IDEA Committee is developing our inaugural workshop on Gender & Power Dynamics in Fundraising, and we want to ensure the conversation reflects the real experiences, challenges, and perspectives of our fundraising community.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already shared their feedback! Your thoughtful responses are helping us shape a session that is relevant, practical, and meaningful.

If you haven’t responded yet, we need to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete our brief survey. The workshop is taking shape now, so this is your opportunity to help guide the conversation and the issues we explore together.

The survey is completely anonymous, unless you choose to provide your contact information at the end. We encourage you to be open, candid, and honest—your perspective matters.

Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more inclusive fundraising profession. We can’t wait to bring this conversation to life!

Take the survey: https://form.typeform.com/to/nmwjRyqE