Note from Mike Sweitzer-Beckman, outgoing chapter president

Hello AFP Greater Madison!

As I enter my final stretch as President of AFP Greater Madison Chapter, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to so many: our members, board members, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and friends who make our community so special. It has been a privilege to serve you and to work together to support both generous philanthropy that transforms our community, and the profession of fundraising itself.

I hear about the Great Wealth Transfer all the time in my networks and in the news. Hopefully, we see it in our work as the baby boomer generation transfers their wealth to their heirs and charitable organizations. 

I hope you’ve been able to attend workshops and conferences presented by our chapter and other organizations that help fundraising professionals position their organizations to receive transformational gifts.

The Great Wealth Transfer also gives fundraisers an opportunity to reflect on how we must better serve our donors and clients to achieve their philanthropic goals. 

I would like to give one piece of advice:
Make a deferred or planned gift to a charitable organization that is special to you.

Put yourself in the shoes of your donors or clients. 

Go through the process of identifying organizations best addressing community needs that are important to you. Find out what gift vehicles make sense for you and your family. And determine what you want your legacy to be.

Experiencing the power of deferred and planned giving as donors makes us better fundraising professionals. It brings us closer to the individuals and communities we are fortunate to serve.

I hope you take the opportunity to learn more about what it means to tie your legacy to an organization you are passionate about.

I hope you learn what good stewardship feels like, if you choose to notify the organization of your intentions.

And, finally, I hope your actions open doors to new conversations and allow you to speak more confidently with donors since you have gone through the process yourself.

Please reach out if you are interested in becoming a AFP Greater Madison member, would like to volunteer with one of our committees, or have ideas about how we can best serve you and our community.

I would enjoy hearing from you as I continue service on the chapter’s board in 2025.

Thank you for your commitment to this profession.

Sincerely,

Mike Sweitzer-Beckman
AFP Greater Madison Chapter, Immediate Past President
Mike.Sweitzer-Beckman@supportuw.org