December 2024 Newsletter

Advancing philanthropy by enabling people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fundraising

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A Heartfelt Thank You and Farewell

Dear Members and Friends of the Inland Empire AFP Chapter,


As my term as President of the Inland Empire AFP Chapter comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and express my deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported our chapter during these last two years. It has truly been an honor to serve as your president, and while I’m excited to pass the torch to the next leader, I am filled with pride over all we have achieved together.


First and foremost, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our incredible Board of Directors. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the mission of AFP have been truly inspiring. You’ve been my partners every step of the way, and together we’ve made significant strides in advancing the profession of fundraising across the Inland Empire. I’m deeply grateful for each of you—your support, your ideas, and your passion for our community made my time as president a rewarding experience.


As I reflect on the past two years, I’m proud of all we have accomplished:

  • Increased Membership Engagement: Together, we’ve fostered an inclusive, welcoming environment for professionals at all stages of their careers.
  • Educational Programs and Professional Development: We’ve hosted a variety of events, from workshops to speaker series, that have helped us grow both personally and professionally. Our members are now better equipped to tackle the ever-evolving challenges in our field, thanks to the diverse range of topics and insights shared.
  • Expanded Advocacy Efforts: We’ve been more vocal in advocating for the role of philanthropy in our communities. Through both local and national initiatives, we’ve ensured that our voices are heard, influencing policy and raising awareness about the importance of fundraising.
  • Stronger Community Connections: We have deepened our relationships with key community partners and organizations, which has allowed us to provide even more value to our members. Our chapter is now more connected to the needs and opportunities in our region than ever before.


None of this would have been possible without the collaboration and dedication of all of you—our members, board members, and supporters. Your commitment to the profession, and to each other, has been the driving force behind every success.


I am also excited to congratulate Alyssa Cotter, who will be stepping into the role of Chapter Chair, and Kemi Adeoye who will be our new Chair-Elect. Both of these outstanding individuals have demonstrated a tremendous passion for the work we do and are deeply committed to advancing our chapter's mission. I have no doubt they will provide excellent leadership and continue to build on the strong foundation we’ve created together. Please join me in congratulating them and offering your full support as they take on these important roles.


As I transition out of my role as president, I am excited to watch the chapter continue to grow and thrive under new leadership. I know the Inland Empire AFP Chapter is in great hands, and I look forward to continuing to support the chapter as a member and volunteer in the years to come.


Thank you once again for the privilege of serving as your president. It has been a deeply rewarding journey, and I am so grateful to each of you for your trust and support.


Wishing you all continued success, growth, and fulfillment in your fundraising journeys. I look forward to seeing where we go next!


With heartfelt thanks and best wishes,

Kimberly Starrs, MBA, CFRE

President, Inland Empire AFP Chapter

National Philanthropy Day

On November 19th, the Inland Empire community gathered to celebrate National Philanthropy Day (NPD), hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Inland Empire Chapter. It was a day filled with inspiring stories, incredible generosity, and recognition of outstanding individuals and organizations making a difference in our region.


We extend our deepest gratitude to our event host and sponsor, IEHP Foundation, for their unwavering support in making this celebration possible. Their dedication to empowering communities and improving lives aligns perfectly with the spirit of philanthropy we honored throughout the day.


We are proud to have recognized the exceptional individuals and organizations nominated for their contributions to the Inland Empire. These honorees exemplify the power of giving, leadership, and community impact.


Thank you once again to our event sponsor, IEHP Foundation, and to all those who joined us in celebrating philanthropy.


Stay connected with AFP Inland Empire for more updates, events, and opportunities to get involved in making a difference!


Please download a copy of the Tribute Journal and photos from the event below.


Download Digital Tribute Journal

Photos


Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!


Your dedication and passion inspire us all to continue giving back and working towards a better future for our communities.

Philanthropist of the Year

Dale and Judy Briggs

Tom Kaney

Jeanne and Lou Mace

Richard Schmitt - WINNER


Community Champion of the Year

Margaret Curran

Susan Gomez - WINNER


Lifetime Service Award

Sue and Gary Ovitt


Spirit of Philanthropy Award

Carol & Tim Rochford


Professional Fundraiser of the Year

Josh N. Zahid, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation


Thank you to all our sponsors!


PRESENTING SPONSOR

U.S. Bank


PLATINUM SPONSOR & EVENT HOST

IEHP Foundation


GOLD SPONSORS

Loma Linda University Health


SILVER SPONSORS

Community Health Systems, Inc.

Hope Through Housing Foundation

Inland Empire Community Foundation

Inland Southern California United Way

Providence St. Mary Medical Center Foundation

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

University of California Riverside


BRONZE SPONSORS

Anthesis

Making Hope Happen Foundation

Patton’s Steel

Riverside University Health System Foundation

Rochford Foundation

VARP, Inc.


TABLE SPONSORS

Inland Empire Community Collaborative Foundation

SAC Health Systems

Chamberlain Scholarship Application

AFP Inland Empire Chapter is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2025 Chamberlain Scholarship. Each year AFP Foundation for Philanthropy offers one registration scholarship to qualified chapters for the Annual AFP International Conference on Fundraising (ICON). This program is designed to help individuals serving nonprofit organizations develop their knowledge and skills in fundraising. The scholarship honors the memory of Ralph E. Chamberlain, CFRE.

 

AFP ICON, AFP’s flagship “International Conference,” is held each year and brings together nearly 4,000 fundraising professionals to discuss important trends and issues related to fundraising and philanthropy, with a focus on fundraising practice and technique. 

 

The 2025 AFP ICON will be held April 27-29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

 

One candidate will be chosen by our Chapter Scholarship Committee to receive a scholarship toward registration for the AFP International Fundraising Conference on Philanthropy.  Registration fees, except for a $10 payment to secure registration, are paid by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy.  


Applications due January 13, 2025

Apply Today

Be the Cause

BE the CAUSE is the AFP Foundation’s annual, unrestricted fund that supports all four pillars of our Case for Support. BE the CAUSE helps to fund local, national, and international programs including scholarships, leadership development, education and much more.


A portion of every donation that a donor makes goes back to our local chapter to support local programs. To learn more visit: https://afpglobal.org/USFoundation


Help us reach our goal of $961 by donating today!



Mark Your Calendars

Join us for a free CFRE Webinar presented by CFRE International Ambassador Pegi Matsuda, MBA, CFRE.


Monday, February 3, 2025

Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Registration Opening Soon

Seven AFP Chapters in Southern California are collaborating to bring you a special event.


It's a full-day conference at the Orange County Hilton in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.


Sessions include:

- Fear and Fundraising

- Revolutionize your Storytelling

- Scaling Solutions to Social Problems

- Bank of America Philanthropic Study

- Exploring AI in Fundraising, a Case Study

- Leveraging Google and Marcom Strategies


Early-Bird Rate until January 31, 2025.


Discounts for groups of 3+ from the same organization.


CFRE Credits for all courses


Come, meet other fundraisers, and learn. 


Learn More

Job Postings

UC Riverside

UC Riverside, School of Education is searching for a Senior Director of Development. To find out more: Click here

Keck Graduate Institute


KGI is searching for a Director of Development. To find out more: Click here

Keck Graduate Institute


KGI is searching for a Chief Executive Officer. To find out more: Click here

Interested in posting a position with AFP Inland Empire? Click here for more details.

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