The Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties Chapter (AFPSBV) was proud to host the 2022 National Philanthropy Day awards ceremony on Thursday, November 10 at the Museum of Ventura County. We wish to thank our co-presenting sponsors Montecito Bank & Trust and Santa Barbara Foundation for their support of our chapter. We also extend our appreciation to the evening’s Masters of Ceremonies, Geoff Green, CEO, SBCC Foundation, and Anne Paul King, Executive Director, Ventura College Foundation.

During the reception and presentation, members of our community who have shown excellence in philanthropy were honored in each of the categories below.

The Fund for Santa Barbara

Philanthropists of the Year, Santa Barbara County

Steve Hearst

Philanthropist of the Year, Ventura County

The Mary Jane McCord Planned Parenthood Annual Book Sale Volunteers

Volunteers of the Year, Santa Barbara County

Lynda Bowman

Volunteer of the Year, Ventura

Diversity Collective of Ventura County

Champions for Social Justice

We hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did, and wanted to share some photos from the event: Photo Gallery

If you’d like to be a part of our AFP family and take advantage of discounts and events all year long, you until November 30, 2022 to take advantage of the $50 membership discount for new members, just enter the code NPD2022 when you join online at https://afpglobal.org/join.

If you were inspired by the honorees’ remarks and would like to support Santa Barbara and Ventura County-based fundraisers and strengthen the local nonprofit sector, please support BE the CAUSE by donating today: https://community.afpnet.org/afpsbv/bethecause.

Thank you to our generous chapter sponsors and hard-working committee, who made this wonderful celebration happen!

2022 National Philanthropy Day Committee

Molly Kemper, Chair

Karen Y. Kawaguchi

Catherine L. Kort, MA

Gerry Pantoja, CFRE

Andrew Peake

Alessandra Rigonati

Shannon Silk

A.J. Steinberg, CFRE

Stephanie Wilson, CFRE 

Join the AFP Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter for a festive evening of mix and mingling with fellow AFP friends and friends, meet the incoming board of directors for 2023, and recognize our outgoing board of directors.

Ventura County Credit Union

2575 Vista del Mar Dr, Ventura, California 93001

5:30 pm to 6 pm reception

6 pm to 7 pm program

Free for members, $15 for non-members.

BE the CAUSE is the AFP Foundation’s annual appeal for unrestricted funds to support the four pillars of AFP’s Case for Support. BE the CAUSE funds scholarships, leadership development, education, and much more at the local, national, and international level. The AFP Foundation will return up to 35% of your donation to the Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties chapter to benefit local fundraisers through scholarship support and professional development training. AFP Members like Molly Kemper of Santa Barbara Museum of Art give to BE the CAUSE to help her peers in the sector to serve their communities better and lift the whole profession. 

Molly and other AFP members have set an example of strong leadership by making their gifts and helping the chapter raise 55% of its goal. You can join Molly today by making a gift to the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy to support future generations of leaders in fundraising.

AFP, Santa Barbara Ventura Counties Chapter is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2023 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 2023 AFP ICON will be held April 16-18, 2023 in New Orleans, LA.

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.  

Chamberlain Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

1. Candidate is employed as a fundraising professional or, if candidate is an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising.
2. Candidate has never attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising as a registered participant (unless as a member of the Conference Host Committee) and is enthusiastic to attend the full conference as scheduled.
3. Candidate must agree to complete an online evaluation form about his or her experience at International Conference.
4. Only one individual from any local organization or institution may be selected.
5. Candidate must be willing to share their AFP ICON experience with their chapter after the conference has concluded. This can be accomplished through a report to chapter leadership, a contribution to the chapter newsletter, or an alternate contribution identified by chapter leadership.

Please note, this is not a full scholarship and the winner will be required to cover any and all expenses exceeding the amounts awarded. Chamberlain Scholars are responsible for registering themselves for the conference and for making all travel and lodging arrangements.

AFPSBV Board of Directors would like to thank our new and returning members for the month of October!

New Members

Austin Adams

Robin Gose

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Megan Nuss

Santa Barbara Zoo

Pete Parker

Oxnard College Foundation

Patricia Sadeghian

Ganna Walska Lotus Land

Returning Members

Rebecca Anderson, CFRE

Ganna Walska Lotusland

Brittany Avila Wazny

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

Melissa Baffa

Ventura Land Trust

Sharon Kerr

The Salvation Army

Patricia Schwartz, MA

Schwartz Associates

Heidi Whitman, CFRE

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