AFP New Mexico is beginning a new chapter, one where we are focused on growing our membership, creating new opportunities for fundraisers to connect, and exploring innovative ways to support all New Mexicans through equitable fundraising efforts. On June 30th, we will be launching a new Community of Practice for AFP-NM, in partnership with Prospera Partners, and we want your voice in the conversation! We invite you (all nonprofit professionals, AFP-NM members and non-members alike) to join us! Nonprofit professionals from all regions of New Mexico and levels of fundraising experience are welcome.
What is a community of practice?
Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they come together in facilitated conversations. Communities of practice can stimulate collaboration and foster critical connections within the existing network with best practice sharing. Participants often gain new insights and skills and grow relationships through their communities of practice.
Gathering this way brings your ideas forward, acknowledging that the people in the room probably have the wisdom within them to solve their greatest challenges. This approach works well because it assumes we all have something to contribute. Too often, nonprofit professionals are in their own silos, working hard at their work, networking when they can, and trying to implement new things when they have the time, with limited opportunities to connect with their peers. A Community of Practice, on the other hand, provides a dedicated time and space to get away from work, to go deep, give yourself the time and space to be in a community of leaders like you. Communities of Practice can provide a powerful and valuable way to grow your networks, bring new ideas forward, and provide support to like-minded individuals seeking meaningful connections.
Who: Fundraisers, those working in development at any level, nonprofit leaders, community members, and anyone else interested in building resources for the nonprofit sector in New Mexico.
What: A participatory conversation where your voice matters. Join us for relationship building, sharing best practices around fundraising, finding support for your challenges, and sharing ways to be more community-centered and equitable in our fundraising efforts.
Why a virtual gathering?
As a statewide organization, we want to provide as much access as possible to nonprofit professionals working outside of central New Mexico. In facilitating these gatherings, AFP-NM is proud to partner with Prospera Partners, an organization focused on facilitating systems change, communities of practice, and strategic planning. Prospera Partners has been hosting virtual gatherings since pre-pandemic. This will not be your normal zoom meeting! We know how to cultivate an engaging virtual space and support meaningful conversations (including in smaller breakout groups) over zoom so please come ready to learn new skills, create new connections, and share your experiences and insights.
Bring an open mind and creative ideas to our hands-on community convening to share with your community in facilitated small groups of colleagues, allies, and partners.
Are you willing to host an in-person gathering (e.g. a lunch at a local restaurant, a "walk and talk", etc.) after the 8:30-11:30 a.m. virtual gathering? If so, please email our Chapter Administrator, Mary Cianflone, at afpnmstaff@gmail.com and we will publicize your gathering in follow-up communications for those in your region to join you!
About AFP-NM: The Association of Fundraising Professionals- New Mexico Chapter (AFP-NM) empowers individuals and organizations to practice ethical, inclusive, and community-centered fundraising through professional education, networking, research and advocacy. AFP-NM is committed to building trust with the community, authentically engaging in anti-racism and equity work, and establishing strong leadership and clear communication in delivering support to New Mexico fundraisers and nonprofit professionals.
About Prospera Partners: Prospera Partners offers strategic consulting, facilitation, and workshops for small businesses, social entrepreneurs, and nonprofits in order to create real change for communities. Prospera Partners brings together a team with a strong foundation in design and facilitation for planning and leadership development, as well as a passion for working with local public and private organizations. Our core team of skilled facilitators is trained in gender and racial equity issues, embodied social justice practices, and cultural humility, and has developed frameworks and curricula together around the intersection of race, gender, privilege, power, identity, and healing justice. We have designed and facilitated dozens of Communities of Practice, including supporting four cohorts nationally through Dismantling Systemic Racism in the Nonprofit Sector. Years of real-world experience informs our work, including over nine decades of combined nonprofit experience. Everything we do at Prospera Partners is motivated by leaving the world a more just and compassionate place. Through our work to transform frustrating, out of date models, grow leaders, and bring people together, we believe that by making incremental shifts we can and will change systems for the better. Why do we believe this? We’ve seen it happen through our work.