Connecting with your donors is one of the most important components of a successful fundraising campaign. Come explore the five new Megadonor Archetypes and learn more about major donor and megadonor motivations to better understand and connect with all donors. Register Today

Brighten up your cold winter and join us for our first networking event of the New Year ... and bring a friend! You are invited to build your relationships with some of the leading professionals in our field and make new ones at HUB 51, one of the top 10 restaurants in Chicago located in the vibrant River North neighborhood. Event registration is free for members and non-members (you pay for your own food & drinks), but we would like to get an approximate headcount. Register Today

As fundraisers, we are responsible for arousing sympathetic emotions and inspiring action through stories. So often, though, we get caught up in the details that we forget to dwell on or even share our success stories. Storytelling can be a powerful tool to attract and motivate donors.

Join AFP Chicago in celebrating Chicago's philanthropic community on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Hilton Chicago. We are pleased to honor those who demonstrate high ethical standards and exemplify the philanthropic spirit of our great city.

Click here to purchase a sponsorship or an individual ticket today.

Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols, Distinguished Philanthropists Award
George S. Wright, Executive Leader Award
Christine O'Reilly, Professional Grantor Award
Christine Zrinsky, Benjamin Franklin Award
Liz Thompson, Outstanding Community Leader Award
Richard W. Hutson, Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Dan Weishar, Emerging Philanthropist

Registration now open! Fundraising newbie? Prepping for the CFRE exam? Fundamentals is a great primer for those new to the field of fundraising, but it also has the potential to be a beneficial study tool with lasting impact on your career. learn more

Register Today

AFP Chicago's premier learning forum is back and better than ever! We are very excited to announce our keynote presenter, Vu Le ("voo lay"). Vu is a writer, speaker, vegan, Pisces, and the Executive Director of Rainier Valley Corps, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by developing leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration. Known for his no-BS approach, irreverent sense of humor, and love of unicorns, Vu has been featured in hundreds, of his own blog posts at NonprofitAF.com. Secure your seat! Register Today

Don't forget to "bundle" your Breakfast Workshop Registrations
5 Program Purchase Deadline is TOMORROW!

Instead of registering for each event separately, purchase a "bundle," and gain access while you SAVE. Bundling your programs provides you convenience (only register once), savings, and flexibility.

Interested in partnering with a mentor or protégé? AFP Chicago's Peer Mentoring program pairs seasoned fundraisers with protégés (fundraising professionals with less than 5 years of experience) for a year-long mentorship. The application deadline for the Spring 2019 Class is February 22nd. Arguably, the Peer Mentoring program is the single most valuable benefit of membership in AFP Chicago for development pros early in their career.  read more

In Homer's "Oddyssey", the character Mentor serves as the trusted older advisor to Odysseus's son, Telemachus. Since then, the word has come to mean someone who gives guidance, shares knowledge, and imparts wisdom.

In the article Becoming A Great Mentor in the January 2019 edition of Monitor On Psychology, the authors Dr. Jan Estrallado and Dr. Nadine Nakamura offer 11 steps to helping proteges succeed.

• Be clear about the relationship (Set goals, roles and responsibilities.)
• Take the time (Make the time to signal the relationship is valued.)
• Champion their dreams (Tailor mentoring to the protégés' goals.)
• Learn to listen (Ask questions to help guide protégés to self-sufficiency.)
• Model key behaviors (Show protégés what it takes to be successful.)
• Offer support (Provide encouragement and recognize protégés' accomplishments.) read more

We're happy to have you!

Marie Bahati, Navy Pier
Myah Blazar, WTTW
Elizabeth Brennan, Bunker Hill Charities
Basia Brown, Howard Area Community Center
Jeff Butke, Mobile Care Chicago
Jennifer Choromanski
Kathryn Dillon, Providence St. Mel School
Jayne Drew
Alexandra Goodman, The Joffrey Ballet
Mariama Holman
Nikki Horwitz, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Emily Kehoe, Midwest Shelter For Homeless Veterans
Heather Kundert, Special Olympics Chicago
Erik Maranto, Alzheimer's Association, Illinois Chapter
Katie Metos
Laura Milewski, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Chelsea Morris, Cradles To Crayons
Ashley Moy-Wooten
Brittany Mullins, International Crane Foundation
Sarah Palya, Chicagoland Speedway
Jeff Pinzino, National Guestworker Alliance
Alexis-Simone Rivers, Chicago Semester Program
Nicole Seidlitz, Chicagoland Habitat For Humanity
Brett Skeen, Edward Foundation
Kitty Snow, American Brain Tumor Association
Freeda Warren, JD, Lawndale Christian Legal Center
Michelle Weiner, Special Olympics Illinois
Richard Wood, Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT)

New members as of January 2019
If your name is not included, please contact Carletta at [email protected].

Do you have a success story to tell us?