Greater Dallas AFP Newsletter

April 2025

In This Issue

• President's Message
• April 23 Luncheon Program at Communities Foundation of Texas
• 2025 NPD Nominations are Open

President's Message

Dear AFP Greater Dallas Members & Friends,

Spring is a season of renewal, reflection, and celebration. This month, we mark Easter and Passover, two holidays rooted in powerful stories of faith, resilience, and community. As fundraisers, we can draw inspiration from these traditions to strengthen our own efforts.

Passover commemorates the Israelites’ journey from bondage to freedom. It’s a testament to resilience and the power of hope. Similarly, Easter celebrates renewal and the triumph of light over darkness, values that resonate deeply within our work.

In fundraising, we strive to create new beginnings and opportunities. Like these holidays, our work often involves guiding others through challenging journeys toward a brighter future. It requires faith in our mission, resilience in the face of obstacles, and a commitment to transforming lives.

As we continue our efforts this spring, let’s draw strength from the timeless lessons of these holidays: faith, renewal, and community. Together, we can achieve extraordinary things.

Warm regards,

Manuel Mesa

2025 President, Greater Dallas AFP

April Luncheon Program

Securing Corporate Partnerships: Actionable Strategies from Leading Funders

Join Sarah Elliott, CFRE, as she moderates an informative moderated panel discussion featuring prominent Dallas-based corporate funders. Funding experts will share tips on how to stand out from the crowd while building and growing corporate partnerships, give advice on the do’s and don’ts of corporate relationship development, and lead a discussion on best stewardship practices to keep corporate funders engaged. Your takeaways will be:

• Strategies to help your nonprofit can get the attention of corporate funders in DFW
• Corporate approach Dos and Don’ts from the Experts
• Stewardship ideas and best practices to keep corporate funders engaged in your mission

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: Sarah Elliott, CFRE, leads the North Texas Chapter of Folds of Honor. Prior to her current role, Sarah spent over 20 years working in philanthropy for Dallas-area organizations. Sarah holds a Master of Science in Counseling from UNT, a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from SMU, a CORE Business Certificate from Harvard Business School, and she is a Certified Fundraising Executive. She is past president and a current board member of the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a sustaining member of Junior League of Dallas.  

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

• 11:30 Networking
• 12-1 PM Luncheon & Program

PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION FOR THIS MONTH'S PROGRAM:

Communities Foundation of Texas

5500 Caruth Haven Lane

Dallas, Texas 75225-8146

A MESSAGE TO OUR 2025 SUBSCRIBERS:

First and foremost, thank you! If you are a 2025 subscriber to Dallas AFP educational luncheon programs you are pre-registered. If you cannot attend, you may send a colleague in your place!

Learn more and register now for this upcoming event!

Members and non-members are welcome! Discounted rates for emerging leaders age 35 or under and/or with 5 years or less experience as a fundraising professional, member or non-member.



• $50 for non-members
• $35 for members
• $30 for emerging leaders, members or non-members, 35 and under or with 5 or fewer years fundraising experience

2025 National Philanthropy Day Nominations are Open!

Recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals, foundations, corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers and professional fundraising executives. Deadline to submit your nomination is May 15, 2025.

Save the date for the 40th Greater Dallas AFP National Philanthropy Day, Thursday, November 13, 2025 at the Dallas Arboretum.

Thanks to 2025 Presenting Sponsor DMGroup Consulting!

Congratulations to your Greater Dallas Chapter AFP for earning the 2025 Gold Ten Star and 2025 IDEA Champion designations again!

If you've earned your CFRE or been recertified recently and want to share the great news, let us know! afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org