AFP International Member Benefits Highlight

Did you know that valuable fundraising information is just a click away?  While the AFP Chicago Chapter website and networking opportunities continue to be valuable resources for chapter members, it is important to remember that additional tools are available through the AFP International website.  Two such tools highlighted in this article are the “Ready Reference Series” and the “Information Exchange”.

Ready Reference Series

This series was developed especially for the busy practitioner. These handy booklets contain specific information on essential topics including Establishing Your Development Office, Building an Effective Board of Directors, Getting Ready for a Capital Campaign, Asking for Major Gifts, Reviving Your Donor File, So You Want to Be a Consultant, Bringing a Development Director on Board, Making the Most of Your Special Event, and Developing Fundraising Policies and Procedures: Best Practices for Accountability and Transparency. Four booklets have been translated into Spanish, and one into French! 

The series is just one way the AFP Fundraising Resource Center is enhancing its ability to serve its fundamental mission, which is to provide fundraising professionals with the up-to-date information necessary to do their best work.  Cost per booklet is $15 each for members (plus shipping and handling).  In today’s economic climate, these references are a bargain!

Click here to visit the Series.

AFP Information Exchange

The Exchange is designed to leverage the knowledge and experience of countless members who are willing to share with colleagues. Writing an information paper is a great way to provide your unique skills and perspective in a document that won’t take too much time away from your professional and personal responsibilities.

Papers should typically be short (750 to 2000 words), practical, "how-to" pieces that can assist fundraisers in performing their daily jobs. However, any type of document, including toolkits, polices and samples, is welcomed as long as it is of high quality and falls within the guidelines for length, format and topic.

In exchange for submitting a paper to the AFP Information Exchange at no charge, AFP will provide brief visibility for the author or organization at the beginning of the paper and at the end, including a website link and short boilerplate information.  Visit the AFP International’s Resource Center to find out how to submit a paper to benefit your AFP colleagues! 

"There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience residing within our members, and in these challenging times, it behooves both the association and the profession to access that for the benefit of all charities and our communities," said Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of AFP. "It’s also a great way to get involved in writing and giving back to your profession, and it doesn’t require a lot of time." 

Click here to visit the Exchange.

Whether seeking specific fundraising information or gathering unique perspectives and experiences from your colleagues, there are a multitude of resources available to AFP members through AFP International, as well as the local Chicago Chapter.