AFP-Nebraska Newsletter

September, 2016

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President's Report

Greetings, AFP-Nebraska Members!

It is September, which means we've had yet another exciting Chapter-sponsored conference – Give and Gain. Hosted in partnership with Nebraska Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, Give and Gain was in Omaha and featured presentations from some of the most knowledgeable and dynamic speakers in our field – Gail Perry, Jenny Herstein, Boyd Ober, and Jay Wilkinson, just to name a few!

Coming up in November is our annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon, where we will honor Community Health Endowment of Lincoln (Outstanding Foundation), Kiewit (Outstanding Corporation), the Students and Teachers of Scott Middle School Team 6A and Principal, Dave Knudsen (Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy), Marg Lincoln Donlan (Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser), and Carl Mammel (Outstanding Philanthropist). Please join us on November 10th to honor these individuals, foundations, and corporations who help to make our communities better and brighter.

Finally, as 2016 (unbelievably) comes to a close, I want to extend an invitation to you – AFP Nebraska members and friends – to consider sharing your time and talent through service on our board of directors. Your voice is valued and important. We would love to have you as a member of our leadership team. If you’re interested, see the call below!

Thanks for all the work you do to make our philanthropic community stronger.  I look forward to connecting/re-connecting with all of you soon.

Laura Reznicek

2016 President, AFP-Nebraska Chapter

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Member Q&A

Featured Member:  Rebecca Jewell

What is your role within the Fundraising profession?

I am an Advancement Officer with the Peru State College Foundation. In this role, I get to encourage and assist alumni and friends of Peru State College to make gifts that help students earn a college education and invest in faculty, staff, programs and facilities.

How did you first get into Fundraising?

I have degrees in English and in history. I came to fundraising thinking that I could put my English-major skills to work writing grant proposals. Grant writing has always been a part of my fundraising repertoire, but lately I have realized how my interest in stories is an enjoyable and valuable part of fundraising as a profession. I often find myself in conversations with donors about their life stories and how Peru State has played an important role. For some people, the process of making a significant gift to the college redefines their relationship with the college. They are changing from someone who received a scholarship, to someone who is giving a scholarship. They might be someone who found their passion, or their purpose, or even their life partner in class or in a campus activity. They are contributing to make sure that other people can have that opportunity.  Many of the people I work with seem to be adding a new chapter to their story through their giving, often in a way that is profound and meaningful to them.

I also enjoy how fundraising can play a role in the story of the organization. Major philanthropic investment can change the story of the organization in significant ways and can chart a new path in that organization’s history.

What is your most memorable moment as a Professional Fundraiser?

There have been many moments that I look back on with some degree of awe. The donor who told me that he was making his largest gift ever because, after his sister died of cancer, he vowed that when his income reached a certain level, he would start giving away 10 percent of it. The donor who told me that he could not afford to go to college until he found out he was the recipient of a scholarship. Fifty years later, he discovered that his own sister was the person who gave him the scholarship that enabled him to go to college and have a rewarding career. To pay it forward, he surprised his sister by starting a scholarship in her name. The donor who told me that she was a very poor student in high school. A college professor recognized her troubles stemmed from difficulty reading and brought in a specialist to work with her. After that, she earned A’s and B’s and discovered that she was capable of much more than she ever thought. It was a life-changing moment for her that she never forgot and that inspired years of giving. People do amazing things, often in very quiet and unassuming ways.

You were the Chair of the 2016 Give and Gain conference – what attracted you to serving in this role?

Give and Gain is a fun conference because it is presented jointly by both AFP Nebraska and the Nebraska Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, so it brings in a wide group of people and provides unique opportunities for networking and learning. Being a part of the planning committee is a great way to get connected to fundraisers at other organizations. Scot Coppock, the co-chair representing NPPP, is a great example of someone with whom I have enjoyed working. He and I both work in college advancement, and working together on this conference has provided me with a glimpse into his advancement department and how he functions in a similar role.

How long have you been a member of AFP, and what are some of the best benefits it provides you as a professional?

I have been a member of AFP for around 15 years. I appreciate the opportunities for continuing education, collaboration with other professional fundraisers, comradery, and even the small moments of commiseration in recognizing the common challenges that fundraisers face. I also find the online resources, such as the AFP Resource Center, very helpful.

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National Philanthropy Day

REGISTER NOW for National Philanthropy Day

Thursday, November 10, 2016 

This year’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 10^th at Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Please join us as we recognize the following honorees:

• Community Health Endowment of Lincoln – Outstanding Foundation 
• Kiewit – Outstanding Corporation
• The Students and Teachers of Scott Middle School Team 6A – Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy
• Marg Lincoln Donlan – Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
• Outstanding Philanthropist – Carl Mammel

We hope you will join us in showing your appreciation for our 2016 honorees by becoming a table sponsor or registering individually at 2016 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon.

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Chapter News

Two $750 Scholarships Available!

AFP-Nebraska is proud to once again provide our members and friends with the opportunity to apply for scholarships to attend the 2017 AFP International Conference on Fundraising in San Francisco, CA (April 30 – May 2)

Two scholarships are available:

Chamberlain Scholarship – open to AFP-Nebraska Chapter members and non-members who have not attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising. Preference will be given to applicants who are newer to the field of fundraising and who work for a non-profit organization. Scholarship recipient will receive one paid conference registration and one $750 travel stipend to be used towards conference attendance expenses.

Chapter Scholarship – open to AFP-Nebraska Chapter members who have not attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising. Scholarship recipient will receive a $750 travel stipend to be used towards conference attendance expenses.

Click here to download an application form.  The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 24, 2016,  If you have questions, please contact Travis Payne at [email protected] or 402-457-7005.

An Invitation to Volunteer!

Are you interested in expanding your network and becoming more involved with AFP? Looking for a way to give back to the philanthropic community? Consider serving on a committee or board of the AFP Nebraska Chapter. Contact Laura Reznicek, chapter president, at [email protected] if you are interested in sharing your time and talent. Our chapter leadership team consists of volunteers who are making our chapter—and the philanthropic community—stronger with their service. Consider joining this great group of volunteers!

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Calendar of Events

Next AFP-Nebraska Luncheon Meeting | Thursday, Oct. 20

New Location!  The Nebraska Club, 233 S. 13th St. in Lincoln

Watch for program and registration information coming later this week!

November 10 – National Philanthropy Day Luncheon – Embassy Suites Lincoln - Click here for more information!
December – date and location TBA 

ALDE EnLIGHTen Essentials

October 19-20, 2016 | Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Sioux Falls, SD

Looking for a focused introduction to development (nonprofit fundraising, marketing and communications)? Are you new to the field, with zero to four years of experience, or transitioning into the field, or someone for whom development is just one piece of your position? This is for YOU!  

EnLIGHTen Essentials participants will learn the fundamentals of fundraising, from the donor cycle to building and communicating the case statement, to working with volunteers, constituents and boards. Featured will be presentations from experienced professionals, sharing skills and knowledge needed to build a firm foundation for development success. 

Learn more and register at http://www.alde.org/essentials ($249; registration limited to 20 participants)

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Membership

Thinking about becoming an AFP member? Now is the perfect opportunity!

In honor of National Philanthropy Day® AFP will be offering a $50.00 discount to new members joining in the Professional or Associate member categories by November 30, 2016!

Fill out the membership invitation as usual, but deduct $50.00 from the total and include the coupon with your payment. Coupon must be included with payment. One coupon per new member. Click here to print off the coupon. Can also be redeemed online at www.afpnet.org by using discount code NPD2016.

Complete your application and send it in via mail or fax by November 30, 2016

Questions, call the AFP Membership Department at (800)666-3863. AFP, 4300 Wilson Blvd. Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22203 /Fax: 703-684-1950

Click here to go to the AFP website to review membership categories and pricing, and download a pdf of a membership application form.

Welcome New Members!

Welcome to the following new members who recently joined AFP and the Nebraska Chapter:

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Support Your Chapter!

Do you walk the walk?

As a fundraiser, you know how important it is to give to your own organization before asking a donor to give to it.  Giving to AFP sends just as strong a message to donors, colleagues, and volunteers: you are invested in your profession, you believe in continuing education, and you are committed to advancing philanthropy.

Join the AFP-Nebraska Board of Directors in making a gift, in any amount, to support YOUR AFP Nebraska Chapter.

Click here to download a pledge form.

To give online, click here.

Visit the official BE the CAUSE website!

As an AFP member, you continually demonstrate your commitment to professional education, leadership development, and ethical and effective fundraising practice. When you make a gift to the BE the CAUSE Campaign, you are investing in the profession’s future.

THANK YOU for your support!! 

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Resource Links

AFP-Nebraska's Job Posting Service

Looking to make your next career move? Consider applying for one of the exciting job opportunities posted on our website under the "Jobs" section.

Interested in reaching hundreds of the best and brightest Development professionals in communicating your job openings? Advertise through AFP-Nebraska!  AFP members can post an opening on our chapter website for 30 days -- plus do an e-mail notification to our list of 500+ current, prospective and former members -- for just $50!  (The fee is $150 for non-members.)  Click here to get started today!

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