eDevelopments Your Chicago Chapter News Welcome to the AFP Chicago March 2021 Newsletter

Chapter News

Board Member Message Keri H. Lowder Like many women I know in nonprofit fundraising, I plan on observing Women’s History Month while continuing to work from home, side by side with my children as they attend virtual school, distanced from much of the world except for when it is presented on a screen. For a year now, I have managed to work alongside my three daughters who have been in virtual school because of the pandemic. It has been challenging in many ways, but mostly we feel fortunate that we have the privilege of not having to risk our lives or health to earn a paycheck or attend school. Last Women’s History Month felt uncertain. I sat in the kitchen unaccustomed to working outside of an office faced with the impossible task of managing the elementary, middle and high school educations of my girls while pivoting to manage the changing demands of virtual fundraising in an uncertain economy. The pressures were exacerbated because like so many, my husband, usually the primary earner, had been laid off. This Women’s History Month seems more hopeful in meaningful ways. While certain things remain the same as last March, I am optimistic seeing that vaccines are being administered, feeling more confident navigating virtual learning, and having so recently watched Vice President Kamala Harris sworn into office. It was humbling to witness the historic moment as she single-handedly shattered so many glass ceilings at once, becoming the first woman, the first African-American Black woman, the first Asian-American person, the first biracial woman, become Vice President of the United States of America. I will never forget my youngest daughter saying with tears in her eyes “She looks like me! They look like me” as she watched the Vice President and her small great-nieces dance on stage. As a Black and biracial American and as a woman, a mother of three girls, it was an emotional moment. It reminded me how important representation is. It reminded me that change can come. I hope you will engage with us as fellow fundraisers in AFP to make Chicago and the organizations we serve better for our daughters. Thank you for your service, and please know you have a community of peers ready to support you. Happy Women’s History month.

Upcoming Programs

AFP Chicago Affinity Groups Offer IDEA Thought Leadership

AFP Chicago White Fundraisers Advocating for Racial Equity (WFARE) Affinity Group Wednesday, March 10, 2021 8:00 – 9:00 AM Register

Understanding that white people have a responsibility to address and dismantle racism, White Fundraisers Advocating for Racial Equity aims to develop a shared understanding of systemic racism’s manifestation in fundraising, nonprofits, and philanthropy; support individual growth for fundraisers to become anti-racist; and develop tools, techniques, and support for fundraisers to influence change in their workplaces and the broader sector towards a more racially-equitable society. All are welcome.

Special thanks to our White Fundraisers Advocating for Racial Equity (WFARE) Affinity Group Sponsor:

AFP Chicago Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Affinity Group Friday, March 19, 2021 3:00 – 4:00 PM

Register

The Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Affinity Group provides opportunities for API development professionals to network, build community, and share fundraising successes, challenges, and resources.

Special thanks to our Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Affinity Group Sponsor:

March Virtual Workshop Fundraising for Small Shops Friday, March 12, 2021 1:00 – 2:15 PM  Register Whether you have always had a small fundraising shop, or today’s uncertainty has introduced new challenges, every member of your team is vital to your success.

So how can you maximize your resources when you're working with a small Development staff? In this session, we'll speak with teammates from small fundraising shops who have learned, and will share, important lessons from doing more with less. Our key areas of focus will be: Electing fundraising channels and opportunities aligned with your capacity Creating or re-examining your case for support Data efficiency  Actively engaging your board and volunteers Measuring your fundraising effectiveness

This program is approved for 1.25 CFRE points. Members: $20 (Members can register ONE non-member for $25 at the time of registration.) Nonmembers: $30

PANELISTS: Amy Tinucci Chief Development Officer, Chicago Children’s Choir Katherine Korey Director of Development and Marketing, Bright Promises Foundation Judith Coleman Major Gifts Officer, Covenant House Illinois MODERATOR: Christopher Chantson Director of Development, Ingenuity

March Third Thursday Networking Thursday, March 18, 2021 5:00 – 6:00 PM Register Top ‘O The Mornin’! Let’s talk about our donors while we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at our March Third Thursday networking event, March 18 at 5pm! In the world of Zoom, how have you stayed connected with individual donors during this pandemic?

Bring your best and most creative stewardship and cultivation ideas to share. And we’ll celebrate the month with a “Green Show-And-Tell” -- don some green attire and bring along your favorite St. Patrick’s item or Irish story to tell. And of course, you’ll want to sip on a beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Green River soda anyone?  Free to members and non-members. Registration is recommended to secure your spot.

Pop-Up Talk Virtual OnBoarding: How to successfully welcome new employees while working from home Tuesday, March 23, 2021 12:00 – 1:00 PM  Members-Only Benefit Register

As most organizations have transitioned to remote work in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, hiring and onboarding new employees completely virtually is a new concept for most employers. Join our discussion as we explore how to successfully convert our organization’s onboarding process to a virtual setting as we begin to hire and welcome new employees.

Spotlights

AFP Chicago Fellows Spotlight Timmy Arnold, The Honeycomb Project Timmy first discovered his love of volunteering while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from DePaul University. His internship with The Honeycomb Project – Chicago’s go-to organization for family volunteering – quickly blossomed from part-time project leading to in-office research and special event planning. In 2019, Timmy officially joined Honeycomb’s hive as the Development Manager. He now oversees the organization’s individual and corporate giving programs, annual fundraisers, as well as general marketing communications. Outside of Honeycomb, Timmy proudly serves as the Board Treasurer for 350 Chicago, a non-profit committed to addressing climate change at a local level. On his days off, you may find Timmy roller skating on Chicago’s lakefront, crocheting, or playing Settlers of Catan with friends.

Mentoring as a Young Professional Allison Houle​, Program Manager Foundation for Endodontics We encourage young professionals with 5+ years of professional experience in fundraising to consider serving as a mentor to those new to the field. There are a number of wonderful career benefits to serving in a mentor role as a young professional:   Grow Your Coaching Skills: Many of us spend a great deal of time coaching & training board members and volunteers to prepare them to be successful fundraisers and ambassadors. These activities and experience with volunteers translate wonderfully to coaching a protégé who is just starting out in the field of fundraising. Many of the same principles and concepts apply. Flex Those Leadership Muscles: Mentoring is a great opportunity to utilize and refine the leadership skills you possess. Be a positive influence and support system for an individual who will touch many lives through their meaningful work.  Enhance Your Professional Development: There are multiple opportunities throughout AFP Chicago’s peer mentoring program to engage in meaningful conversations with peers about the most relevant topics and challenges in fundraising. Stay current on the influences and impact from our continuously evolving environment & technologies.  Build Your Network: Every opportunity to connect to another professional in our field exponentially enhances our collective resources. We have many great stories of mentors meeting their “new hires” through protégé matches/connections and vice versa; or individuals who would have never met otherwise, teaming up to work together on a project! Contribute to the Growth & Quality of Your Profession: Participating in the growth and development of a new fundraiser has an immeasurable ripple effect on our and communities at large. We take great pride in the connections our peer mentoring program has built and what those connections have lead to and allowed for.    Both protégés & mentors have a great deal to gain from a mentoring relationship. While it is often assumed that the mentor is the one bestowing knowledge, there are many equally valuable insights to be gained from their protégé match. We like to view the relationship as a partnership of shared experiences and knowledge that presents a growth opportunity for both parties. Consider applying to serve as a mentor for AFP Chicago’s Peer Mentoring program!  The mentor application can be found here for the Fall 2021 cohort, which will launch in October.   Please direct any inquires about the program to co-chairs Christopher Chantson & Jennifer Dettloff.

Update Your Demographic & Contact Information

Please make sure your demographic and contact information is current in your AFP member profile. Sign in on the AFP Global website and update your information by clicking the links in the Member Profile section.

Visit AFP Global

AFP Chicago Welcomes Our New Members

We're happy to have you! Mary Ruth Arway, The Plastic Surgery Foundation Shane Caterino Amy Tinucci, Chicago Children's Choir New members as of February 2021 If your name is not included, please contact Shawn Jezak at shawn@afpchicago.org.

Member Resources Ethics Resources  |  AFP Global  |  Update Contact Information

Community Links Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF)   Nonprofit Management Essentials is Live! Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) North Park University Axelson Center Professional Development Programs

AFP Chicago Chapter info@afpchicago.org www.afpchicago.org

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌