Overview
Each year, AFP South Sound (AFPSS) provides funding for a chapter member to attend the AFP International Conference (ICON). The scholarship recipient receives $500 for travel expenses from AFPSS if attending the event in person, conference registration from AFP International (roughly $800 value), and the opportunity for accredited fundraising education courses and networking.
Application
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be a member of the AFPSS Chapter.
- The applicant must be employed as a fundraising professional and/or have a position that requires at least half of their time to be spent on fundraising activities.
- The applicant has never attended an AFP International Conference on Fundraising.
- The applicant agrees to share a few comments about their experience in the Chapter e-newsletter and complete an evaluation form for AFP International.
If interested in applying for this rewarding scholarship to attend ICON 2025, please download an application here and submit it to afpsouthsound@gmail.com: 2025_AFPSS_Chamberlain_Application.docx (no longer accepting applications)
Applications for 2025 are due on January 15, 2025
Questions? Please email afpsouthsound@gmail.com
AFP ICON 2026: The Journey, a Milestone, and Invitation
AFP South Sound members at ICON
"Nothing beats a good reset after many months of doom, gloom, and gray weather. You’ve got to admit, 2025 was a rough year for many of us. We’ve faced funding cuts, accelerating climate crises, international discord, inflation, and rising authoritarianism. We’re still experiencing the effects to this day.
What better way to escape all that to experience AFP ICON 2026 in Sunny San Diego in the height of spring (not false spring - if you’re from the Puget Sound, you’ll know the difference)!
For a bit of background, I’m an anxiety-stricken, neurospicy, semi-functioning, introverted, Asian American working mom whose work focuses on data entry and development operations. I might as well be a triage-ER nurse the way I do data entry these days.
Could I have afforded to go to an expensive conference 2 states away? Preposterous!
Is it safe for a person of color like me to travel near the southern border of the US in these times? Probably, but positively nerve wracking!
If I applied for the scholarship, would I have fit all the criteria? I’m most certainly not a frontline fundraiser.
I hesitated to apply for the Chamberlain scholarship. Were it not for the gentle nudge of a friend, I wouldn’t have put my name in the ‘box’. After a couple months of patiently waiting, I received news that I received the scholarship. If there was hope for someone as frazzled as me, there is most certainly hope for you. In case you’re curious about the Chamberlain Scholarship, here’s how you can apply for this too. (I hear 2027 will be held in Baltimore, MD.)
When I read the application, in my mind, this conference would have benefitted purely front-end fundraisers: the roles that pop up are major gift officers, grant writers, donor relations, development directors or even executive directors. The truth is, everyone who believes in and wants to move the cause is a fundraiser. For a data entry person who dabbles in a bit of individual giving, the conference was a blast! I intentionally chose speakers that focused on Community Centric Fundraising principles, professional development, strategies on storytelling, AI and ethics, and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility).
AFP Global knows that FOMO (fear of missing out) is a real thing and one cannot be everywhere all at once. I’m happy to report that any breakout sessions that I’ve missed were recorded and will be available for all full conference attendees. While I’m not sure if I can share those recordings to all here, I can surely use what I’ve learned by building relatable and timely programming with my fellow Tri-Chairs (which I hope you’ll attend!). ICON also offered plenty of opportunities to connect with affinity groups to bond with familiar and new faces. They also emphasized in the “know before you go” orientation to bring comfortable shoes, listen to your body, and enjoy the sun. Mental and physical health is important!
I understand that AFP ICON may not be for everyone. I want to intentionally reach out to the person who’s feeling stuck in their nonprofit journey and thinking if ICON or their AFP membership is worth the investment.
Let me tell you my AFP origin story:
I suffered from some work trauma that made me question if working in the nonprofit sector was still tenable. Nonprofit work can be demanding, draining, and sometimes, hostile - an unfortunate truth that many of us accept and push through. When I started working for KNKX, my then boss, Kaarin Austin suggested I get an AFP membership and find some community to help heal some of that trauma and figure out if I still had a place in the nonprofit sector.
Since I became a member in October 2024, I’ve built relationships with wonderful and brilliant people in our Global network and local chapter. I started out by attending the Asian American Pacific Islander group meetings which quickly branched to co-facilitating DevOps Speakeasy, becoming a 2025 IDEA Cohort member, becoming a mentee and board member, becoming one of our chapter’s Program Tri-chair, and now an AFP Chamberlain Scholar.
I’ve made good friends who I can be authentic with, learn from, and wholeheartedly support. I’ve found my voice again. I’ve found out that even if I haven’t raised millions or have a big job title, there is a lot of perspective that I can uniquely offer. I’ve found a safe space to be and not feel like I have to produce something in order to be seen or heard. I think that is worth every penny spent for what started out as a side quest.
AFP ICON is definitely a milestone in this journey that I’m highlighting for this year. How I got to this point was definitely only possible with the support of fellow members, donors, board members, and a supportive workplace that valued my growth and well-being. While waiting for the next ICON, there are other ways to make the most out of your membership that can get you there. AFP South Sound offers sliding-scale programs you can attend; scholarships, mentorship/mentee programs, and cohorts you can apply for; and opportunities to meet amazing humans who do profound work in the South Sound.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for making this memorable learning experience possible and for developing such a hospitable community that restored my faith in humanity again. With the remainder of the year of the fire horse, I hope you’ll take the leap too: find your people and experience all AFP South Sound chapter has to offer!"
Rufina Caluya
2025 Chamberlain Scholar
Past Recipients
Past AFPSS Chamberlain Scholarship recipients have included:
- 2025 Rufina Caluya
- 2024 Robyn Jones
- 2023 Laura Badeaux
- 2022 Kari Young
- 2021 Teddy Wingo
- 2020 Karina Bharnes
- 2019 Andrea Michelbach
- 2018 Lianna Shepherd
- 2017 Mary Brickle
- 2016 Kate Albert Ward