January 2025 Newsletter

President's Message

Happy New Year! It is my great honor to serve as chapter president for AFP SLO County alongside the outstanding development and fundraising professionals in our community. Your dedication to making a difference and your participation in AFP uplift not just individual causes but also the collective spirit of our county.

This year, I am eager to connect with each of you—whether at one of our monthly programs or through other opportunities we create together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly to share ideas, offer suggestions, or simply to connect. Your voice is essential to shaping our chapter’s success and ensuring it remains a source of encouragement and innovation for all.

The AFP board includes an incredible team of leaders who are committed to fostering a space where you can find support, draw inspiration, and share your expertise. Together, we hope to make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and impact.

Thank you for your service to our community and your commitment to each other through AFP. Here’s to a successful, meaningful, and inspiring year ahead!

Warmest regards,

Cozy Faber

Join the SLO Chapter of AFP Today!

Are you employed by, donate to, or serve on the board of a San Luis Obispo County nonprofit? If so, please consider joining our chapter. With your membership, you will enjoy a wealth of career-building programs, educational resources, networking opportunities and exclusive member discounts. Learn more.

For our nonprofit friends with small operating budgets under $2 million with less than 2 full time fundraising staff, you may want to consider a Small Nonprofit AFP membership. It’s only $125 plus a $60 chapter dues and is transferable if your development professional leaves, as opposed to the Individual Professional membership, which is $290 plus $45 in chapter dues.

Programs

Coming Up This Month

Engaging Your Board in the New Year

Thursday, January 9, 2025

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

*program begins at noon*

CAPSLO

1030 Southwood Drive San Luis Obispo

Tickets

General Admission $35

Member Price w/ Discount $25

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Start the year inspired about how best to work with your board to achieve your fundraising goals including engagement, expectations and how to equip them to be successful. Come prepared to share your biggest challenges and leave with ideas to overcome them.

Choose your lunch option during registration.

Lunch will be catered by Urbane Cafe. Register below!

Recap of our December Program

The Art of Gathering

The December AFP SLO meeting at the Region Event Center in San Luis Obispo was a truly heartwarming celebration of community and generosity. The room was alive with a shared passion for making a difference. Guests were captivated by Amber Karson, local expert in hospitality and event planning, who shared her heartfelt insights on creating extraordinary experiences for donors. From adapting large-scale event skills to intimate engagements to fostering inclusivity and building meaningful community connections, Amber’s wisdom resonated deeply. Attendees left inspired, filled with practical strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose to elevate their events and strengthen bonds with their supporters.

Additional Events

Spokes Resources for Nonprofits

Development Directors Roundtable

Thursday, January 23, 2025

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Admission $10

Registration fee waived for AFP members with discount code

*You do not need a Spokes login to register. Simply select the "Click here to register online" button then close the login pop-up window. Input your information and include the coupon code (iamamember) before registering!

Held via Zoom

Link sent upon registering - limited to 12 participants

Learn More & Register Here

Chapter Job Center

AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter proudly connects individuals and organizations through job opportunities in development and fundraising on the Central Coast. Click here to learn more.

Fundraising Program Manager

The Land Conservancy of SLO County

Invite Your Board Members

We will be talking about board engagement at this month’s meeting. It’s a great way to start the conversation! Invite a board member to attend and start engagement at the beginning of the year!

Memership

Over the past few months, we have welcomed new and transferring members to our Chapter. Currently, we have a total of 63 members! Please welcome our newest members:

Dr. James Brescia, SLO Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation

Katrina Cathcart, Development Director, CASA of SLO County

Robin Coleman, Community Engagement Manager, Woods Humane Society

Diane Dieterich, Executive Director, Greener Pastures Sanctuary

Krista Elmore, Director of Project Operations, Studio 4 Forty

Elise Erb, Director of Development

Danielle Nichols-Hansen, Office Manager, Granite Ridge Christian Camp

Brandee Puett, Deputy Director, Meals that Connect

Ann Berry-Gallegos, Director of Fund Development, SLO Winds

Lisa Strickland, Chief Strategist, Lisa Strickland Strategies

Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo

Joy Truluck

AFP General Chapter Support Fund

Your donation to the San Luis Obispo County AFP General Chapter Support Fund will support a variety of initiatives aimed at fostering professional growth and networking opportunities for fundraising professionals in our community. If you'd like to support our chapter financially, please see the donation link below for more information. Thank you for your generosity!

Click Here to Donate Today!

Board of Directors