Cummings-AFP Fellowship Program

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Massachusetts Chapter is soliciting applications for a fellowship program providing $2,000 in professional development and networking programming to organizations seeking to improve their overall fundraising knowledge and capabilities.

The Cummings-AFP Fellowship, which is funded through a generous grant from the Cummings Foundation, is available to organizations in Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex counties, plus Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. While all applicants will be considered, this program is placing a special emphasis on small and mid-sized organizations, and individuals with 5 years or less of direct fundraising experience.  

 

An organization can nominate one individual to use the entire $2,000 award for training and networking programs offered by AFP Massachusetts, or can nominate more than one individual to share the award. A list of programs for which this award can be used may be found at AFP Massachusetts educational programs.

 

If an individual leaves a recipient organization during the year that they are receiving Cummings-AFP Fellowship funding, and the entire monetary award has not been used, the remaining funds stay with the organization and may be shifted for use by other individuals within the organization. The organization must notify AFP MA of this change.

How it Works

Thanks to funds donated by the Cummings Foundation, the $2,000 grant awarded to each organization can be used to enroll their nominated individual(s) in any AFP MA program - including the annual conference and Fundraising Fundamentals course.

 

This is a two-year training program. Applications are accepted in the fall and fellowships are active through August 31, 2027.

 

Total value of programming that an organization can receive free of charge through AFP MA is $2,000 and expenditures are calculated based on AFP Member rates.

 

If for any reason there is a change to the individuals nominated for the fellowship at any time during the year, AFP must be notified of that change at info@afpmass.org. Also, if an organization is unable to use the full scholarship amount by August 31 of their fellowship year the remaining funds will be forfeited.

How to Apply

• Funding is provided by AFP through a generous grant from the Cummings Foundation.
• At least 20 organizations from Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex counties, plus Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley will be chosen.
• Organizations chosen will each be able to send their designated staff members to AFP Massachusetts educational programs from October through August of their fellowship years. Total value of the scholarship award is $2,000 per organization.
• While any size organization may apply, AFP is especially interested in attracting nominations from small and mid-sized organizations that raise $5 million in non-government contributions per year or less.
• The fellowship program is focused on assisting individuals with 5 years of direct fundraising experience or less. Executive directors of small and mid-sized non-profits – who may have fundraising as part of their portfolio – are encouraged to apply as part of their organizational application.
• Participants will be named “Cummings-AFP Fellows” and will be provided with opportunities to network with each other and with AFP Massachusetts members.
• The deadline to apply for the fellowship program is September 15.
• Award recipients will be named by the end of September of the year they applied, and encouraged to attend the fall Fundraising Fundamentals course.
• Cummings-AFP Fellows will be able to use scholarship funds towards attendance at AFP’s annual conference in spring, Fundraising Fundamentals course presented twice per year, and if they have 4+ years experience in development, the Emerging Leaders in Fundraising: Finding Your Voice course.