Monthly News & Updates

January 2025 | Issue 1.25

President's Message

Dear friends,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I am excited to share that this year holds great promise for the AFP Fort Worth-Metro Chapter. Our chapter continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication and passion of our members and volunteer leadership.

2025 marks our chapter’s 45th anniversary, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead. Reflecting on our journey, we have faced challenges but have also achieved significant milestones post-pandemic. We have successfully rebuilt our membership back to pre-pandemic levels, and our chapter still boasts over two hundred members. The DFW Philanthropy in Action conference last June was a tremendous success, and we look forward to accomplishing even more in partnership with the Dallas chapter this year. Monthly in-person chapter programs over the past year were fantastic, providing insights for our work and ample networking opportunities. The National Philanthropy Day event was incredibly well-received, and the committee already has ideas to grow the event this year.

We are also committed to creating deeper connections with each other and continuing to integrate IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) initiatives into our chapter activities.

Our members are the heart and soul of our chapter. Your engagement is what makes us strong and vibrant. I encourage each of you to find ways to become more involved with our chapter in 2025. Whether it is attending our monthly programs, volunteering for committees, or participating in special events, your involvement is vital to our continued success. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and make a lasting impact in our community.

I am thrilled to invite you to our January chapter program presented by Kelsey Picken entitled "Warming Up the Cold Call: How to Build a Script to Transform Donor Conversations." Cold calls are one of the most daunting tasks of a fundraiser, and Kelsey’s program promises to give us tools to enhance our fundraising efforts. What a perfect program to kick off the new year!

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we will make 2025 a year of growth, learning, and meaningful connections. I cannot wait to see you all at ACH on January 13!

Warm Regards,

Hillary Bessinger, CFRE

2025 AFP Fort Worth Metro Chapter President

• Become Our January Sponsor! •

Email the chapter office for details on sponsorship...

Program Title

"Warming Up To The Cold Call: How To Build a Script to Transform Donor Conversations"

A cold call can be intimidating, but picking up the phone with good preparation tools and pre-defined goals can lead to a rewarding exchange. With step-by-step tools to outline your script, identify key open-ended questions, and define your desired outcomes, a qualification call no longer has to come as a challenge. Instead, the call can be a unique touchpoint to inspire story-sharing and mission-centric connections to help build more meaningful relationships—and close more gifts.

Presented By:

Kelsey Picken, PhD, CFRE, CSPG | Children's Medical Center Foundation

Recent winner of the Association of Healthcare Professionals “40 Under 40” award, Kelsey Picken, PhD, CFRE, CSPG currently serves as Director, Legacy & Gift Planning, at Children’s Medical Center Foundation in Dallas, with prior experience in higher education, museums, and health care. Her award-winning dissertation examined the power of the multitude to better achieve the public good. Picken is also a certified Death Doula and is a newly, self-proclaimed ceramicist, actively striving to bring together the arts and humanities for a more equitable and caring world. Picken currently serves as a board member for the Lone Star and Dallas Councils of Charitable Gift Planners.

You’ll get the most out of your AFP membership if you invest time into helping committees stay active and innovative. From Programs to I.D.E.A., National Philanthropy Day to our Annual Conference, committee members provide the strength that enables the chapter to meet the needs of its members in the Greater Fort Worth Metro area. Join up to two committees, depending on your interest and time availability.

For more information, email the chapter office at afpfw@yahoo.com

AFP Job Bank

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Visit our website and check out who's hiring, or submit open positions that are available at your organization!

Upcoming Events

1/13/25 | January Luncheon

2/10/25 | February Luncheon

3/17/25 | March Luncheon

4/14/25 | April Luncheon

5/12/25 | May Luncheon

Become A Luncheon Subscriber

Luncheon subscriptions are returning for 2025!

Receive 9 luncheons for only $200 (the price of 8) when you pay by check.

Click Here to sign up today.

Choose the 2025 Luncheon Subscription ticket options, and enter promo code SUBSCRIBE to secure this package. An invoice will be emailed separately.

*Subscription does not include NPD or Holiday Luncheon. Active chapter membership required.

New Members

So glad you have joined us!

Let us know what we can do for you - that's why we're here!!!

Lindsey Jordan

Write On Fundraising

Lindsey Rushen

Casa Manana

Professional Development Corner

Don’t forget the benefits you receive each year from your AFP membership. Most AFP members receive a $100 credit that’s good for premium webinars, select e-courses (including the Fundamentals of Fundraising eCourse), or conference recordings through the AFP Blue Sky/Path Learning Management System (LMS). Learn more at www.afpglobal.org/thankyou

Congratulations New and Recertifying CFREs

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

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