The deadline to submit your nomination has been extended to Friday, October 4th. Nominate the champions in your community and help us celebrate the spirit of philanthropy at the 44th Annual Faces of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon, Friday, May 1, 2020. AFP Chicago is pleased to honor individuals who demonstrate high ethical standards and exemplify the philanthropic spirit of our great city.  
Submit your nomination today!  learn more...

Thank you to everyone who attended Development Day Chicago 2019!  We thank our distinguished keynote speaker, Vu Le for his inspiring and timely insights and all of our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees for participating. We were thrilled to see #DDChi continue to grow and evolve into not just a day of learning, but truly a time we as non-profit professionals came together as a community to share, talk, bond, and support each other in our work. Click here to view our photo gallery.

AFP Chicago October Pop-Up Talks

October is AFP Ethics Awareness Month! Here are a couple of Pop-Ups this month that focus on Ethics and the impact it has on philanthropy and fundraising.

Tuesday, October 15th | 8:00 - 9:00 am

Tuesday, October 29th | 8:00 - 9:00 am

TOPIC: What is the Donor Bill of Rights, and Why Does It Exist?
Tuesday, October 15th | 8:00 - 9:00 am
Nighthawk, 4744 N Kimball Ave, Chicago
As fundraisers, we trade on the trust we earn from our donors. Join us for a frank discussion with your peers about our responsibilities to those donors-from Foundations to Estates, and from Corporations to Individuals. Understanding how to earn and build trust though ethical fundraising is essential to our role in philanthropy.  RSVP today.

TOPIC: How to Have Difficult Donor Conversations-and Come Away with Stronger Relationships
Tuesday, October 29th | 8:00 - 9:00 am
Spinning J, 1000 N California, Chicago
Are there conversations with donors that you dread? Topics around grant agreements and gift restrictions that you hope to avoid? Have you ever had to turn down a gift? Come to this pop-up chat to share your experiences and learn from your peers how to make a difficult conversation into the foundation for a stronger donor relationship. RSVP today

AFP Chicago October Third Thursday
Thursday, October 17th | 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Emporium Logan Square, 2363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

AFP Chicago Breakfast Workshop
Finish Strong: Using Gift Planning Strategies
Friday, November 1st | 8:30 - 10:30 am
Maggiano's Banquets, 111 West Grand Ave., Chicago

Join us for a conversation with Anne Morgan of the Field Museum and Meg Cline of the University of Illinois Foundation on maximizing year-end giving potential through a focus on planned giving vehicles and strategies.

Our presenters, both members of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving's Board of Directors, will:

• Highlight ways to market stock Gifts, IRA Rollover, Charitable Gift Annuities, wills, and trusts to your donors;
• Share ideas for cultivating blended gifts with current bequest donors to ensure that your organization looks back at the month of December as a success;
• Explore some end of the year practicalities, such as processing gifts, out of office messages with critical giving information, and developing your marketing plan for 2020; and of course,
• Answer your burning questions about planned gifts at year-end and throughout the solicitation cycle.  learn more...

AFP Chicago African American Affinity Group
Friday, November 8th | 8:00 - 9:30 am
Taste 222, 222 N Canal St., Chicago

The AFP Chicago African American Affinity Group seeks to create a cohort of like-minded fundraisers to discuss strategies, turn obstacles into successes, and build a strong sense of community.

Space is very limited. Be sure to RSVP early to reserve your spot. RSVP now.

AFP Chicago Annual Meeting
Friday, December 6th | 8:30 - 10:30 am
River Roast, 315 N LaSalle Street, Chicago

Join us for a panel discussion of foundation officers and leaders from across Chicagoland, moderated by former AFP Chicago Fellow and 2019 Chamberlain Scholar, Ishan Johnson. Channing Lenert of Polk Bros Foundation, Tony Martinez of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, and Crystal Williams Robinson of the Siragusa Foundation will speak about their recent transitions to foundation work; share tips for engaging community funders; and discuss opportunities for emerging leaders to introduce new perspectives and make change in the philanthropic sector.  learn more

AFP Chicago Fellows Spotlight
Ashley N. Leonard, Executive Director of Spark

Ashley is the Executive Director of Spark, a career exploration and self-discovery program that helps middle school students understand, experience and pursue what's possible. In her role, she leads operations for Spark in Chicago while helping foundations, corporations, and individuals realize the unique role they each have to play in creating opportunities for students to build the skills and networks for success. Ashley holds a Masters of Education in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education 

Top Six Ways I Can Help You in Your Job Search ... Amy Funk, Sr VP, Ter Molen Watkins & Brandt, LLC

I've been fortunate enough to mentor a lot of fundraisers in my career - either through AFP's Peer Mentoring program, the Development Leadership Consortium, or individuals who were referred to me through colleagues and friends. I find genuine joy in the mentorship process and helping fundraisers advance their careers, and at least 3-4 times a month, I get a request from someone asking for help in a job search. 

We're happy to have you!

Keli Change
Pamela Feldman, Heartland Alliance
Bram Harris, Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research
Ryan Jameson, Metrosquash
Celeste Johnson, Heartland Alliance
Ellen Johnson, Heartland Alliance
Jim Juchcinski
Andrea Kerr
Liliana Mejía, New Life Centers
Anna Musci, Driehaus Museum
Theresa Olvera, Prairie Center Arts Foundation
Gabriel Pachter, Cara Chicago
Morgan Paden, Urban Gateways
Meghan Pioli, Ravinia Festival
Michael Santoro, JD
Kelly Spence      

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

Do you have a success story to tell us?