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.
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.
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.
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.
Lessons Learned from The Big Share that You Can Use on Giving Tuesday
By Cheri Dubiel - Community Shares of Wisconsin
CSW has hosted The Big Share™ online giving day annually since 2015. Below is a list of Top Ten Lessons Learned--in no particular order. 1. Set up a plan and follow it.
Fundraising Day Wisconsin Preview: Creating Stories that Inspire Your Stakeholders
Professor John D. Trybus, Georgetown University's Center for Social Impact Communication
Stories are the currency of life and an important way in which we connect as human beings. As social impact leaders we must think about how we can leverage the art and science of storytelling as a key strategy for the organizations we love to emotionally connect with donors and other target stakeholders to inspire them to act. Creating stories that resonate and break through the clutter in this age of information-overload is not easy!
Proposed Estate Tax Changes May Impact Planned Giving
By Ben Brunette, Selinger & Brunette
The estate tax often plays a significant role in major donors' decision to establish planned gifts. The Federal tax code currently allows individuals to transfer $5.49 million of assets to their heirs, during lifetime or at death, without estate or gift tax consequence. An approximately 40% tax applies to all gift transfers made to any person (other than a spouse or charity) in excess of this $5.49 million. Rather than pay this tax, donors sometimes make large gifts to their preferred charities. The repeal of the estate tax, however, has been a hotly-debated political issue...
Piloting Your Organization's Story
By Michele Traband, American Players Theatre
I went to flight school last fall. . . I logged over 20 hours learning valuable lessons about engaging donors and using their stories to help promote my organization during the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. Thanks to a scholarship provided by the AFP Greater Madison chapter, I had the opportunity to “sharpen my saw” in Chicago, participating in discussions and hearing from national and international donor relations professionals.
Old Dog Learns New Tricks: Eight Compelling Take-Aways
By A.B. Orlik - Lussier Community Education Center
Ever attend a workshop or conference where your notes sit in a pile for weeks afterward and you wonder why you took the time to go?
Me, too, but not lately.
Reduce Staff Turnover and Improve Your Bottom Line
By Gary Klein - Edgewood College
Recently, I had the privilege of attending an annual Advancement Roundtable in the greater Atlanta area. This conference of 25 chief development officers from across the country is a great forum for discussion and reflection on both the rewards and the concerns within our profession.
The Key to Value
By Dennis Johnson - Sort Sol Group, LLC
We’re in the office for some of the last days of the year and at this time, we’re working on plans for the New Year. Like our clients, we’re talking strategy, too.
Creating a Donor-Centric Culture
By Kate Atkins - Wipfli, LLP
The people you serve in your communities depend on you to be there. Having a strong donor-relation strategy improves the sustainability of your organization. How do you get everyone in your agency involved? How do you create an organizational culture that is obsessed with its donors? Get started with two steps.
Form 990 Issues
By Kirsten Houghton - SVA Certified Public Accountants
The revised Form 990 continues to confuse and perplex both nonprofit organizations and tax preparers. To address this issue, the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Governmental Entities (the ACT) recently issued a General Report...
Lessons I Have Learned
By Marcia Whittington - Agrace HospiceCare
2015 Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award Winner
When I reflect on the last 20 years of development and fundraising work in our community, a few things stand out to me as lessons I have learned and continue to live by.
Thanks, and Stay in Touch
By Tom Linfield - Madison Community Foundation
One of the nicest grantee thank-you’s received by the Madison Community Foundation was an envelope full of hand-drawn, hand-written letters from a group of middle school kids in a tutoring program we’d funded. They were colorful, delightful, and completely genuine.
Building a Statewide Culture of Philanthropy
By Stacey Wedding, Founder & Chief Strategist Professionals in Philanthropy
Resources—people, money, and knowledge—are essential ingredients of increasing and improving philanthropy. Our organizations, communities and states have all of these resources, yet, still, some states fare better than others in building a culture of philanthropy. Why is that, what can we learn from those states, and how do we begin moving the dial where we live?
