August 2013 eDevelopments

Generosity. That subject is the theme of our Midwest Conference this year. There will be many ways in which we explore generosity when we come together on October 8. We will talk about generosity inspired by compassion, leadership, vision and even explore the economic motivations behind why we give in our opening plenary session with John List, Chairman in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago.

But it is trust that is the most important ingredient in making acts of generosity possible. Without the trust of our donors the subject of philanthropy can’t be seriously raised. Whether we like it or not, we are in the business of trust. We are held to a higher standard precisely because we deal with people’s generosity. When uncomfortable subjects like fundraising costs are raised as they have again been recently, we owe it to ourselves, our donors and our profession to engage in open and frank discussion. We owe it to our donors to explain that these are necessary investments in an organization’s future capacity. Yet, we also have a duty to call out bad actors rather than be silent on the subject.

I am proud to be a member of AFP Chicago because of our commitment to the public trust through the advancement of ethical fundraising. It’s an honor to be in the business of trust with you and so many forthright and hardworking colleagues.

AFP Chicago After Hours - Wednesday, August 7
Please join us for AFP Chicago After Hours on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, 5:30 - 7:30pm at DeLux Bar & Grill in the River West neighborhood. Stop by after work for informal drinks, networking and camaraderie between AFP members and friends. This event is FREE to members and nonmembers! Please click here to RSVP.

AFP Chicago Webinar - Wednesday, August 14 - FREE to Members
Register today for Moves Management: Automating Workflow Processes In Your Organization. Moves Management enables you to design your business processes to maximize engagement with your constituents so you can start working smarter, better and faster! In this session, you’ll learn how to apply your unique business rules to manage everything from donor renewals and upgrades to handling new prospects to ensure maximum engagement. You’ll also learn how this type of strategic planning is an excellent tool to help unify your staff and put your donors in the center of your organization. Click here for further details and registration.

Get The Donor’s Perspective - September 20 Educational Luncheon
What motivates a donor to invest in an organization with a high impact gift? Join us Friday, September 20, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Maggiano's for an educational luncheon, Transformative Giving: The Donor’s Perspective. At this session, hear directly from donors about how they partnered with an institution to make gifts that effected real change and the process that led to their decisions. In a discussion moderated by University of Chicago Associate Vice-President for Development & University Principal Gifts, Mike Levine, our panelists will include Kay Bucksbaum, Richard Gray and Penny Sebring lending their varied perspectives on transformative philanthropy and donor involvement. Fee: $40 for members, $55 for nonmembers. Click here to register.

Midwest Conference on Philanthropy - Early Bird Registration Deadline is September 1
Spread the word: AFP members only have until September 1^stto take advantage of early bird savings for the AFP Chicago Midwest Conference on Philanthropy - Generosity – Gifts that Shape Us, Gifts that Shape the Future! Register for $275 through September 1^st and join fellow fundraising professionals to learn, network, and celebrate Generosity – Gifts that Shape Us, Gifts that Shape the Future on October 8 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Highlights include:

Click here to register and find more details regarding speakers, sessions, and schedules.

The Alford Group • Campbell & Company • Rush-Copley Foundation • Averill Fundraising Solutions, LLC • Elk Grove Graphics

Would your organization like the opportunity to get your name out to hundreds of fundraising professionals? Become a sponsor today!

2014 AFP Chicago Philanthropy Awards Luncheon Nominations Now Being Accepted
We are currently accepting nominations for our 38th Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon! If you know someone who you think should be considered for recognition, please click here to complete a nomination form. The 2014 Philanthropy Awards Luncheon will be held Friday, May 9 at the Chicago Hilton Towers. Click here for more on this prestigious event.

Invest in Your Future, and the Future of Our Profession, through Peer Mentoring
You may become great on your own, but there is another way

AFP Chicago’s Peer Mentoring program is now taking applications for a new class of paired protégées and mentors this fall. The deadline is Wednesday September 18. While many of us are finishing our summer vacations between now and Labor Day, don’t let this date slip by to invest in your future or help a newer professional learn from your wisdom and experience. Applications and details are on our web page.

Evelina Ayrapetyan, M.Ed., is Associate Director of Development in the colleges of Education and Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She applied to the program and was paired with Shawn Gavin, CFRE, Director of Development in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. Evelina said “the AFP Mentoring program has been a blessing early in my fundraising career. Shawn listens and allows me to talk through challenges I may be facing at work, and when appropriate, offers a fresh perspective based on his seasoned career as a fundraiser. I feel so grateful to have this program as a resource at this point in my career."

If you have a minimum of one year in development and are currently employed as a fundraising professional with a non-profit organization, you can apply to have a mentor for a year and receive the same valuable benefit reported by Evelina. Your mentor will have at least five years of development experience. Both of you must be current members of AFP Chicago.

A kickoff meeting will be held Wednesday, October 23. The nature and frequency of subsequent meetings and other contact is by mutual agreement of each person in the pair; AFP Chicago does not set nor monitor a meeting schedule.

AFP Chicago appreciates the sponsorship of this program from the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University. Did you know that North Park offers a tuition discount to AFP members?

AFP Chicago appreciates the sponsorship of this program from:

school of business & nonprofit management north park university

Federal, State, and Chicago - August Government Relations Update
Submitted by: Krista Ravenscraft
Nonprofits in Tax Reform, Sequestration Cuts Affecting Nonprofits Who Don’t Receive Direct Federal Funding, and more. Please click here to read this month's update.

AFP Offers Member Dues Installment Plan
Take advantage of this membership dues payment opportunity - the installment plan breaks dues into six payments. Please contact Joseph Roadarmel, AFP Manager of Membership Services, at [email protected] or (800) 666-3863 for details.

To Make Member Contact Information Changes
Please visit the AFP International website and follow the login prompts. Once you are logged in, scroll down to mid-page where it reads My Member Profile Links and click on My AFP Information to update your contact information. Please feel free to look at the demographics we have on file for you and update those as well. This information helps us to know who our members are and how we can better serve you.

Making a Career Change? Take a Look at the Positions Available on the AFP Chicago Online Job Source
Are you a member planning a career change? Visit the AFP Chicago Online Job Source and review job postings from Chicago area not-for-profit organizations looking for skilled development professionals. Posting includes a full description of the organization, the position and expectations; salary range; benefits; and contact information. Take a look today - click here for more information.
Members will need to log in using their user name (email address) and passwords to see job postings on the website.

Looking for Skilled Development Professionals for your Open Position? List your Jobs in the AFP Chicago Online Job Source
Have an open position within your organization? Consider listing it in the AFP Chicago Online Job Source. The Job Source connects Chicago area not-for-profit organizations with skilled development professionals. This cost-effective listing reaches the right people in the philanthropic community. Your posting includes a full description of your organization, the position and expectations; salary range; benefits; and contact information, and the online format allows you to reach your targeted audience quickly. For more information, click here.

Members on the Move
Find out who has recently joined AFP Chicago or changed jobs here.