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Greater Dallas AFP Newsletter

September 2026

In This Issue

• President's Message
• September 23 Luncheon Program
• 2026 National Philanthropy Day Celebration - Do You Have Your Ticket?
• Meet This Month's Emerging Leader!

President's Message

Hello, Friends!

September is here, and for fundraisers across North Texas, that means one of the biggest days on our calendars is right around the corner: North Texas Giving Day!

First and foremost, I wish each of you a successful NTGD! I know how much work goes into preparing for this moment - the emails, social posts, matching gifts, conversations, and countless details happening behind the scenes.

But I've been thinking lately about NTGD as more than a single day of fundraising. At its heart, it's an invitation.

For someone who has been following your organization's story, seeing its impact, volunteering, attending events, or building a relationship with your mission throughout the year, NTGD may be an invitation to take the next step. For someone encountering your organization for the first time, it may be the beginning of an entirely new relationship.

That's why I see NTGD as an "and also" opportunity. It's both a culmination of the development work we've invested in all year and an opportunity to welcome new people into our missions.

Invitations matter in our AFP community, too. As we begin building the 2027 AFP Greater Dallas Board of Directors, I want to invite you to consider your own next step in leadership or encourage colleagues who would bring their talents, perspective, and passion to our chapter. Serving on the chapter's board is an opportunity to invest in our profession, strengthen our fundraising community, and help shape what's next for AFP Greater Dallas.

Whether we're inviting someone to give, become more deeply involved, or step into leadership, so much of our work begins by simply opening the door.



Good luck this NTGD, I'm cheering for all of you!

Evan White

Greater Dallas AFP President 2026

September 23 Luncheon Program

The Gild (South Tower next to DoubleTree Hotel)

8150 N Central Expressway, Room Mezzanine 1008

Dallas, TX 75206



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11:30 AM Registration Check-in & Networking

12-1 PM Program

Campaign Readiness & Strategy

This mastery level session is designed for experienced fundraising professionals, executive leaders, and board partners who are preparing for significant capital or capacity campaigns and seeking to refine their strategic approach. Campaign success is determined well before the public launch. In this advanced conversation, Roger Ali will guide participants through a rigorous examination of campaign readiness, emphasizing governance alignment, organizational stability, prospect pipeline strength, resource capacity, and internal systems. Participants will analyze the strategic purpose and methodology of feasibility studies, including how to interpret findings, navigate divergent feedback, and translate results into disciplined quiet phase planning. The session will also explore advanced approaches to constructing a compelling, investment-grade case for support and aligning board leadership around realistic timelines, gift expectations, and accountability measures. Emphasis will be placed on expectation management, strategic communication, and maintaining donor confidence throughout the campaign lifecycle. Participants should have prior campaign or major gift experience. This session will move beyond foundational concepts and focus on high-level strategy, risk mitigation, and leadership decision-making that position campaigns for sustainable success. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of organizational readiness for a capital or capacity campaign using advanced governance, financial, and pipeline indicators.
• Analyze feasibility study data to inform campaign structure, leadership strategy, and quiet phase execution.
• Design a case for support framework that integrates mission priorities, funding rationale, and transformational gift strategy.
• Develop strategies to align board leadership and manage donor expectations to mitigate risk and strengthen campaign outcomes.

About Our Speaker

Roger D. Ali is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a fundraising executive, administrator and consultant. He is an independent consultant specializing in governance, major gifts, campaign fundraising strategy, and staff coaching, and also serves as a Senior Associate with S. Sutton & Associates Inc. His work with nonprofit organizations across Canada and the United States has helped build robust fundraising programs that have generated millions of dollars. Roger holds a Chartered Director (C. Dir) designation in Governance from the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University; an MBA from Athabasca University; a Post Graduate Certificate in Administration and Management and is a Certified Fundraising Executive since 2000. He has continued executive level education at Harvard and Stanford Universities. He serves on the board of directors of Imagine Canada and is the Secretary and Chair of the Governance and HR Committee. He is currently Chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Global board. He is a Past Chair of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Canada; past President of the AFP Golden Horseshoe Chapter, where he was awarded the Recipient of Outstanding Leadership Award in 2017, and past Board Member and past Congress Chair of the AFP Toronto Chapter.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY A 2026 LUNCHEON PROGRAM SUBSCRIBER: First and foremost, thank you! If you are a 2026 subscriber to Dallas AFP educational luncheon programs you are pre-registered. If you cannot attend, you may send a colleague in your place!

If you have not already done so,

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

41st Annual National Philanthropy Day Celebration

Thursday, November 12, 2026

at the Dallas Arboretum

4:30 PM VIP Champagne Reception

5:00 PM Celebration Main Event

Dallas AFP Emerging Leader Spotlight

This month, we're highlighting Alex Ferraro of Social Venture Partners. His path into fundraising began with a passion for philanthropy, including establishing The Ferraro Foundation through a donor-advised fund at The Dallas Foundation and connecting nonprofits with resources through his personal network. What started as a passion project eventually led him to a career in social impact, where he now works with Social Venture Partners. As a new fundraising professional, Alex has turned to AFP to build his fundraising skills, learn best practices, and connect with experienced professionals in the field. He also values AFP's opportunities for professional development, leadership, and connection with others in the profession. He has also been a part of the AFP mentorship program.

GIFT PLANNING ON THE RUN 201

September 29, 2026

The second in a two-part series, Gift Planning on the Run 201 is designed for non-profit professonals and for-profit advisors looking for a deeper dive into gift planning programs and skill-building essentials.

Learn more and register

Member News

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