Dear AFP Chicago Members,

Happy Black History Month! I am honored to address you this month as your new Vice-President of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. My name is Judi Coleman.

Following is a passage that has always resonated with me, from Henry Louis Gates' book entitled, Colored People: A Memoir (1995). In it he talks about the duality that he often feels when he considers what it means be African American:

I am grateful to have found AFP Chicago, where I can bring my whole self to the conversation. (As an African American woman, I was particularly moved by the chapter's support of Amelia Garza and Jennifer Holmes' Fundraiser Bill of Rights.). I look forward to working with my fellow chapter leaders this year to continue the creation of a safe space for all. Year after year, our chapter casts a wider net to welcome the voices of all fundraisers. The Board is currently considering the creation of the Neurodiverse Affinity Group. We believe we are the first chapter to have such a group!

I invite all of you to take advantage of the many opportunities for self-exploration and to connect with others who are on a similar journey. Together we can improve the lives of Chicago's fundraising professionals!

Cheers,

Judi

Vice President Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access

African American Affinity Group Co-Chair

Covenant House Illinois

Want more? Check out this article: 10 Black Philanthropists Who Have Changed History

Welcoming Our New Members

Jhmira Alexander, Public Narrative

Kaylee Gramly, Feeding America

Megan Hilbrich, MPA

Amy Johnston, John G. Shedd Aquarium

Mina Khan, Feeding America

LaKesha Lockett, EPIC Academy

Jill McWilliams, College of Dupage

Ashley Mitchell, A Better Chicago

Shane Nichols, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Britt Uhlenhake, Lincoln Park Conservancy

Tiffany White, MED

Alexander 'Sandy' Macnab, CFRE, FAHP, Alexander Macnab & Co.

Dennis L. Meyer CFRE, Meyer Partners

Judith M. Silekis, CFRE

Marilyn M. Bartter, CFRE

Ken Bartels, Ken Bartels Consulting

John Huebler, CFRE, Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Mgmt

Angela Armbruster, Advocate Charitable Foundation

Rebecca Bowen, YMCA of the USA

Ashley Gill, CFRE, ASGE

Angela Louise Kwasinsk, The Congregation of the Passion, Holy Cross Province

Maureen McCarthy, Hyde Park Day School

Suzanne Skala, CASA Dupage

Joe Villinski, CFRE, Xseed Fundraising Solutions

Julianne Buck, Community Foundation of Grundy County

Alexis Cooke, The Alford Group

Victoria Gajc, MS, Northwestern Medicine

Chad J. Jolly, PHD, Gonser Gerber, LLP

Annie Minogue, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Dr. Kurt W. Peterson, PHD, College of Lake County

James Roberts, Ducks Unlimited

Milton Rodriguez, MBA, MSW, KIPP Chicago

Jeremiah Stevens, Adler University

Kathy H. Slaughter, YWCA EVANSTON/NORTH SHORE

If your name is not included, please contact Shawn Jezak at shawn@afpchicago.org.

Becoming a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) signals commitment, competence and credibility. To earn a CFRE, fundraising professionals must document their professional performance, education and professional practice as well as pass the CFRE exam.

We congratulate the following members on this career-defining achievement and for committing to uphold the highest standards in our profession:

For over 45 years, AFP Chicago has honored the committed, passionate individuals and corporations who work on behalf of the nonprofit organizations that AFP Chicago serves. Our annual awards program recognizes the outstanding achievements of these individuals, foundations and corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers, and fundraising executives. AFP Chicago is pleased to honor those who demonstrate high ethical standards and exemplify the philanthropic spirit of our great city.

The award categories include:

Attend 6 workshops, 1 on-demand workshop and all Third Thursday networking events throughout 2023 and SAVE! Bundle purchasers will automatically be registered for workshops and Third Thursday events. A code will be provided that can be used to redeem 1 on-demand workshop.

AFP Chicago is proud to bring together diverse professionals from across sectors, career levels, and specialties and provide access to education and training, professional development resources, and networking opportunities. Sponsorship of our chapter allows for visibility during educational and networking programs and targeted brand exposure in our wide-reaching marketing materials. Sponsorship is a direct investment in the success and impact of Chicago’s philanthropic community.

To learn more about 2023 sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact AFP Chicago Philanthropy Chair Elizabeth Halajian at ehalajian@navypier.org or 312-595-5152.

Participation in the Peer Mentoring Program is an AFP Chicago membership benefit. It is one of the most important programs AFP Chicago offers.

This premier program is offered twice a year where seasoned fundraisers who have a minimum of 5 years of development experience are paired with someone with less than 5 years of development experience. Once applications are received, AFP Chicago’s Peer Mentoring Committee carefully matches mentors and protégés based on interests, skills, and location in order to help mentors and protégés get the most out of their match.

Applications for the Spring 2023 Class are now being accepted through Friday, February 17.

Not a member of AFP Chicago? Join Now.

Director of Development, Court Theatre

In nonprofit fundraising, advancing into a leadership position can be challenging without direct supervisory experience. Organizations seek to bring in team leaders who have a track record of formally helping colleagues grow in their positions and reach their goals. This begs the question: How does one get experience coaching others before securing a position with managerial responsibility?

One clear option to build skills as an advisory leader is to serve as a mentor in AFP Chicago’s Peer Mentoring program!

This signature program of our chapter provides a fantastic opportunity for members with a minimum of five years of experience in fundraising to share their wisdom and insights with protégés during a year-long assignment. Without question, our members can share countless lessons that can be of crucial assistance to newer professionals as they enter more deeply into their careers. Not only do participants receive the chance to assist a peer in developing themselves as fundraisers, but our mentors also have the chance to build their own networks with other participants through the program’s formal activities, including our Quarterly Discussion Groups.

To learn more about the Peer Mentoring Program please visit https://www.afpchicago.org/peer-mentoring.

Cason Brunt currently serves as Director of Major Gifts at education non-profit, Chicago Scholars. In his role, Cason serves as a front-line fundraiser and resource development manager. Prior to his current role, Cason served as Director of Postsecondary Leadership Development, working alongside a team of professionals committed to helping high achieving, first generation students and low income college students achieve academic and career success.

Prior to his time with Chicago Scholars, Cason served in a number of professional capacities at Purdue University, Kent State University, Saint Joseph’s University, Rosemont College, and most recently the New York Institute of Technology as Interim Dean of Students and lead of the Student Life division on the Long Island Campus. Cason is a proud Chicago native, attended Kenwood Academy for High School, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for undergraduate studies, and LaSalle University for graduate studies.

Racial Equity Collective Survey is a statewide outreach to identify the community leaders, non-profit + private sector organizations, philanthropic funders, and individuals that are working to change practices, policies, and organizational cultures to advance racial equity in Illinois. The survey participants should ONLY be operating nonprofits, philanthropic funders, legislators, private sector giving/foundations.

Survey results will be used to build a public statewide map + repository of racial equity resources AND help you create data driven strategies for access, opportunity, and infrastructure for a more racially equitable Illinois.

For social media posts, links, and other important information, visit this link: https://bit.ly/RECToolKit.

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If you have news to share relating to the fundraising industry please email your story and a photo to shelbi@afpchicago.org. Submissions will be subject to approval.