Diversity Program

The mission of the AFP Diverse Communities Conference Scholarship Fund is to help ensure that AFP programs are inclusive and supportive of diversity-related issues and concerns, to provide financial support for activities that increase understanding and awareness of diversity issues within the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and to provide financial assistance for professional development for AFP members who self-identify as coming from a diverse community and/or who are employed by grassroots organizations that primarily serve diverse populations.    

DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

$1,500 Scholarships ($595 Conference Fee + $905 for Travel Expenses) will be offered in each of three categories provided the category achieves sufficient funding. The AFP Foundation offers our donors the opportunity to direct their gifts to one of the following categories:

• The General Diversity Scholarship Fund - reserved for applicants who identify themselves 
  as members of the AFP diversity community of fundraising professionals, or AFP members who 
  are employees of a nonprofit organization that serves a diverse community.
• The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Scholarship Fund - reserved for applicants who identify themselves as members of the AFP GLBT diversity community of fundraising professionals, or AFP members who are employees of a nonprofit organization that serves 
  the GLBT community.
• The African-American Diversity Scholarship Fund - reserved for applicants who identify themselves as members of the AFP African-American diversity community of fundraising professionals, or AFP members who are employees of a nonprofit organization that serves the African-American community.

Download the Diversity Scholarship application. Deadline for applications is October 31, 2012. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be awarded the AFP Diverse Communities Conference Scholarship, the recipient must:

1. Be an AFP Member in good standing of AFP   
2. Be a fundraising professional who self identifies as coming from an eligible diverse community as defined by AFP (African-American, Asian, Faith-based, GLBT, Hispanic, Jewish or Rural) or be a fundraising professional or fundraising executive director employed by an eligible AFP diverse community where 50% or more staff members are from that diverse community or a nonprofit organization that serves a 50% or more eligible AFP diverse community client base.
3. Be employed by a nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget of $2 million or less.
4. Be a first time AFP International Conference attendee.
5. If selected, show their commitment to attending the conference by making a payment of $10 as an administrative conference fee and provide additional funds to cover expenses beyond those covered by the scholarship.
6. Fully complete the scholarship application.
7. Agree to submit a post-conference evaluation. 

Questions? please contact the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy at (800) 666-3836, or by email at fdn@afpnet.org. 

Diversity is the seeking and achieving of a broad representation of experiences, perspectives, opinions and cultures. Inclusiveness is an essential source of vitality and strength for the effective pursuit of an organization's mission.

In order to access some services, you may need to log in as a member:

• Diversity Essays: Under the Resource Center section of the website, you can find essays on reaching donors in different communities including gay and lesbian, African-American, Cuban American, Jewish, Latino, Native American, Islamic and Asian donors. Additional topics may be covered in the new Information Exchange.
• Kaleidoscope: Past issues of the e-newsletter that promotes diversity to donors, board, and fundraisers.
• Te Informa: Past issues of AFP’s Spanish language e-newsletter
• Chapter Diversity Resource Guide

Diversity Discussion Lists: AFP facilitates discussion among affinity groups within AFP’s broader communities. Currently there are seven existing discussion groups:

• African-American Community of Fundraising Professionals
• Asian Community of Fundraising Professionals
• Faith-based Community of Fundraising Professional
• GLBT Community of Fundraising Professionals (this group also has a subwebsite on the AFP website)
• Hispanic Community of Fundraising Professionals
• Jewish Community of Fundraising Professionals
• Rural Community of Fundraising Professionals

Members can sign up for the discussion lists on the AFP website. Those interested in forming a new discussion list can contact Lori Gusdorf (lgusdorf@afpnet.org) to begin a petition for formation of a discussion list. Three members must make the initial request and then obtain written interest from 20 members.

Programming at International Conference

• Affinity Networking Sessions
• Diversity Workshop
• Targeted Fundraising Track
• Art Diversity Showcase
• Diverse Communities Reception

Friends of Diversity Designation: Recognizes chapters making movement toward diversity and inclusion. This designation must be renewed annually.

Charles R. Stephens Excellence in Diversity Award: Recognizes a chapter that has excelled in promoting diversity and inclusion within its chapter. 

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Oregon & SW Washington Chapter

Board Resolution

WHEREAS the mission of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) of Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter is to advance philanthropy and ethical fundraising; and,

WHEREAS this AFP Chapter advances philanthropy and ethical fundraising by educating, facilitating certification, advocating, mentoring, and honoring and recognizing; and,

WHEREAS this AFP Chapter identified nurturing and supporting diverse ideas as one of its key values; and

WHEREAS this AFP Chapter affirms the AFP definition of diversity as the seeking and achieving of a broad representation of experiences, perspectives, opinions and cultures; and,

WHEREAS this AFP Chapter also values inclusiveness as an essential source of vitality and strength for the effective pursuit of an organization’s mission;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT AFP OF OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON CHAPTER is committed to diversity as an ongoing proactive process in its governance, committees, membership, programs and activities.

Adopted November 19, 2008
Reapproved September 16, 2009
Reapproved November 5, 2011 

Chapter Diversity Chair
Cynthia Thompson
Macdonald Center
503-222-5720 x 6