You'll find all the latest news about AFP Greater Madison and articles written by our local nonprofit community right here. If you're interested in creating or sharing news content, such as an article or a video, please contact us.
2020 AFP Greater Madison Nominated Board of Directors
At AFP Greater Madison's Annual Membership meeting on December 17, chapter members will vote to approve our 2020 nominees for the Board of Directors. Check out the board slate before you vote. Learn more about the upcoming event.
Getting involved in our local chapter is the best way to get the most out of your AFP membership. If you'd like to learn more about open board positions or how to participate on a committee, contact us.
Honoring Community Champions
On November 8th, AFP Greater Madison honored the winners of the 2019 National Philanthropy Day Awards. These individuals, businesses and organizations have shown commitment and passion to strengthening our community and making it a better place to live for everyone. See photos from the event and hear from award winners in their own words.
Are you informed on Informed Delivery?
Preparing for your year-end appeal? This is a perfect way to simultaneously enter your mail piece in the digital world and the physical world. And did we mention it's free?!
That Post Conference Feeling
AFP Greater Madison Chapter President-Elect, Sarah Linn, loves learning about new fundraising tactics, systems and ideas. She recently attended the AFP LEAD conference in Phoenix and shares with us some of her top takeaways and a whole boatload of enthusiasm!
'I love making dreams come true' Angela Davis reveals her top-5 tips for grassroots organizations
In case you missed the AFP Greater Madison September Luncheon: Grassroots Fundraising, we’ve got you covered with Angela Davis and her Top-5 takeaways from the event!
In Their Words: Valuable Takeaways from Fundraising Day WI Scholarship Winners
This year, three ambitious AFP members won scholarships to attend Fundraising Day Wisconsin at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino on August 22. Presented by the Greater Madison and Southeastern Wisconsin AFP Chapters, this annual educational program brought together over 400 fundraising colleagues from around the state to hone their fundraising skills, network and learn from national and international fundraising superstars.
After the conference, the scholarship winners shared with us some of their favorite moments, takeaways or experiences.
What you need to know about corporate philanthropy
Stephanie Hayden, TASC’s Strategic Philanthropic Advisor, shares her thoughts about corporate giving strategies after revamping TASC's corproate philanthropy program over the last year. No matter its size or mission, any nonprofit can implement a corporate giving program. Here's how...
Press Release : Announcing Impact Association Management as New Administrators
April 18, 2019, Madison, Wisconsin –Impact Association Management (Impact) is pleased and proud to announce the signing of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Madison Chapter (AFP Greater Madison) as their newest client.
“We are looking forward to our partnership with Impact. We are impressed with the quality of work they can provide for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and we know we are in great hands”, shares AFP Greater Madison’s President, Janie Winston
Reflections on AFP ICON 2019
Despite being amongst strangers in a room I’d never set foot in 1200 miles from home, my experience at AFP ICON 2019 began with a moment so familiar it felt as if I were back in my office: I wrote a thank you note. This wouldn’t be sent to my typical audience of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s donors stepping up for reproductive health though. This act of gratitude was directed to a fellow AFP member who had made an investment in my growth as a Chamberlain Scholar. Writing that donor, themselves a fundraising professional, alongside other scholarship recipients representing organizations improving lives in different ways all around the world, I couldn’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of community.
UW-Madison Collegiate Chapter: Your Help is Needed
Our Greater Madison Chapter of AFP encourages young professionals to pursue careers in this rewarding and important field. One way that we’ve dedicated chapter resources is by nurturing the UW-Madison Collegiate AFP Chapter. We seek your help to revitalize the campus chapter.
Mentorship Is Key To Career Success For Young Professionals
"Fundraisers, participating as both mentors and mentees, will benefit from the program. We want to facilitate meaningful connections between seasoned professionals and current leaders in the Madison non-profit sector with young professionals— the next generation of leaders, and those who are new to fundraising as a career," says Pete Schwieger, Co-Chair of the AFP Greater Madison Young Professionals Committee. "However we believe that this program goes beyond the fundraising community and is more than a professional development opportunity, it helps us a fundraisers further each of our organization’s mission. This mentorship program is ultimately for all people served by non-profits in the greater Madison community."
In this Q&A learn about the new mentorship program and other upcoming events and programs by the AFP Greater Madison Young Professionals Committee.
Bucky Parades for Philanthropy
It was hard to miss them last summer. Eighty-five Bucky Badger statues were on display throughout greater Madison as part of Bucky on Parade from May 7–September 12, 2018. Local and regional artists transformed these 6-foot fiberglass statues with everything from glow-in-the dark paint, to full army fatigues and mosaics.
By the project’s close, $1 million was raised for charity, along with countless memories of a summer to remember. Learn how local organizations and the community came together to create a uniquely Madison experience while supporting area nonprofits.
Many Hands Make It All Possible
AFP is more than a professional association, it is an important cause for our community. I joined AFP Greater Madison for professional development and to make connections with others in the field of fundraising. Having an industry association membership on your resume says you are committed to your profession and actively participating in its advancement. But what if you could get even more out of your membership?
The Importance of Leaders in Successful Development Programs
For many years, development professionals used to think that having the right donors was the most important ingredient for successful annual fundraising programs or capital campaigns. Today, we recognize that passionate and committed leaders are perhaps the most important variable for successful projects. This is to say the right leaders provide access to the right donors. Given their scale and magnitude, the right leadership structures are critical for capital campaigns.
Cultural Competence: The first step is inclusion
With each new year comes the inevitable resolutions – both personal and professional. I am going to start doing a lot more of this, and a lot less of that. We should pay much more attention to this and stop worrying so much about that. And most years by the end of Q1 we find ourselves operating pretty much the same way we did last year.
In.clu.sion is the action of including or being included within a group or structure. I find it ironic that such a short definition, demands such a long look at what actions we now take daily, weekly, monthly etc. (or don’t take) to include those not already part of our ‘group or structure’.
AFP International Launches New Website and Member Resources
The new AFP International website re-launched after a major renovation this past year! In addition to its fresh new look, the new site offers four main areas for you to build community, gain relevant documents and training and find the latest tools and resources.
Learn & Grow | Impact & Advocate | Connect & Network | Tools & Resources
Of course the best way to soak in all the great, new resources at your fingertips is to check it out for yourself. Note: one of the most important changes to note is that the domain has changed! AFP International's website is now housed under: afpglobal.org
2019 AFP Greater Madison Nominated Board of Directors
At AFP Greater Madison's Annual Membership meeting on December 18, chapter members will vote to approve our 2019 nominees for the Board of Directors. Check out the board slate before you vote. The annual meeting and December program will be free for members to attend. Learn more about the upcoming event.
Getting involved in our local chapter is the best way to get the most out of your AFP membership. If you'd like to learn more about open board positions or how to participate on a committee, contact us.
Last Call to Attend National Philanthropy Day!
Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the inspiring generosity of our 2018 National Philanthropy Day Award winners! Join us at the 31st Annual National Philanthropy Day on Friday, November 2, 2018 at the Overture Center for the Arts.
2018 Member Kudos
Our members have been up to great and amazing things this year and we love to celebrate success. See what AFP Greater Madison Members have been up to.
Do you have a story to share for Member Kudos? We want to hear about it. Please share your story with us!
- Promotions
- Job changes
- Unique grant or funding accomplishments
- Honors or awards for you or your organization
- Capital campaign completion
New to Direct Mail Appeals? Learn from the Experts.
A solid development plan used to center around direct mail; and while there are many new channels available today that should be included in a comprehensive plan, direct mail can and should still play a big part. Learn how to plan and execute an effective direct plan campaign from our experts!
One Good Idea...
By Jenni Jeffress Collins
When I attend a conference, I hope I come back with one practical idea to implement. That certainly was the outcome for time spent at the International Public Library Foundation conference that I attended in June in Denver. AFP Greater Madison supported me with a scholarship to attend this conference, which is in its second year of existence.
Reflections on Fundraising Day Wisconsin
Heidi Habeger, Director of Major and Planned Gifts at Groundswell Conservancy, and Jen Davie, AFP Greater Madison Chapter President reflect on Fundraising Day Wisconsin 2018. Heidi was one of four recipients selected for a full scholarship to attend the event.
Each year, AFP Greater Madison provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to support professional development opportunities for our members. Scholarship funds are made possible, in part, by contributions from our members and friends to the BE the CAUSE campaign. Learn more about this important fund and how you can make a gift in support of fundraisers everywhere.
National Philanthropy Day Pre-sale
Our National Philanthropy Day Celebration is one of the hottest tickets in town every November. Have you seen our list of community champions we're going to honor this year? The best way to ensure you have a seat in the room is through our members-only pre-sale in September.
Community Champions to be Honored
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Madison names 2018 National Philanthropy Day Award Winners
AFP Greater Madison is excited to announce the winners of the 2018 National Philanthropy Day Awards. These community champions give their time, resources, and talent to causes they love, making our community a more vibrant place to live.
See our list of honorees and learn more about sponsorship opportunities to guarantee yourself a seat at this sell-out event. Individual tickets will go on sale later this fall.
Fundraising Day Wisconsin
It's Bigger and Better than Ever in Year Five!
Join us and celebrate Fundraising Day Wisconsin 2018 in its fifth year bringing together the nation’s best and brightest thinkers, educators, presenters, storytellers, learners, and world changers. Featuring national and international fundraising superstars: Vu Le, Jim Anderson & Alice Ferris, Amy Eisenstein, Megan McGee, and Anne Melvin, we welcome you to reconnect with friends and expand your network of nonprofit colleagues and industry vendors and consultants.
Summer Seminar: Featuring Lisa Dietlin
Presented by AFP Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter
July 26, 2018
Saint Mary's University, Winona, MN
You're invited to join our colleagues in Winona, MN for a fantastic day-long seminar.
Lisa M. Dietlin is an internationally recognized expert on philanthropy, charitable giving and transformational change. As a leading figure in the American nonprofit sector, she's a highly coveted keynote speaker, media personality, philanthropic consultant, coach and facilitator.
Giving USA 2018: Americans Gave $410.02 Billion to Charity in 2017
$400 Billion Mark Crossed for the First Time
Powered by a booming stock market and a strong economy, charitable giving by American individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations to U.S. charities surged to an estimated $410.02 billion in 2017, according to Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017.
Giving exceeded $400 billion in a single year for the first time, increasing 5.2 percent (3.0 percent adjusted for inflation) over the revised total of $389.64 contributed in 2016.
It's All New for You!
It’s sharp, dynamic and everything you need to stay on the cutting-edge of fundraising throughout greater Madison. We’re thrilled to roll out the brand-new AFPMadison.org for our community. Take a look at all it has to offer.
National Philanthropy Day Call for Nominations
We’re looking for community champions who deserve recognition for their acts of generosity. Learn more about nominating a person, group or business for a 2018 National Philanthropy Day Award. Nominations are due June 25.
Scholarships Still Available to Advance Your Fundraising Career
If you’re looking for the next step in your fundraising career, have you considered becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)? Whether you are just beginning your CFRE journey or it is time to renew, our CFRE Refresher Course is the place to start. And AFP Greater Madison still has scholarships available for this course.
