News/Blog

January is officially National Mentoring Month, a campaign to promote youth mentoring in the United States. It was inaugurated in 2002, and is spearheaded by the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Many leading nonprofit organizations hold local campaign activities in communities across the country, including media outreach and volunteer recruitment.  

Over the last five years the number of Donor Advised Funds (DAF’s) in the United States has more than doubled with total combined assets of more than $110 billion, which will eventually go directly to charities selected by the donors who opened these funds. An in-depth AFP-NYC Educational Program in November 2018 provided attendees with the following information regarding this up-and-coming charitable contribution vehicle.

As we head into the heart of the year-end giving season, it occurred to me how much pressure fundraisers are under to meet their goals.  After all, next year’s budgets often depend on successful year-end fundraising campaigns.   So, while we appreciate the stress, angst and anxiety that fundraisers have this time of year, we often tend to forget about the people in the back office that make it all happen.  The folks that we couldn’t do without.  I’m talking about those unsung heroes: the men and women in Advancement Services/Development Operations.

Chapter Secretary & Vice President, Development,
Phelps Hospital Northwell Health

I recently made a career move after fifteen years at the same organization.  I loved my job and the mission of the organization I served. I had a wonderful team, a strong partnership with the CEO, and the organization has an incredible board and deeply committed volunteers.

AFP-NYC Educational Program

Almost everyone who has worked in a business setting will agree that organizational culture is enormously difficult to change. Because culture is a complex mixture of deeply-embedded beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, it often contains elements which are both subtle and illusive. So when we speak of creating more diverse and inclusive practices in staffing our organizations, it is important that nonprofit leaders understand the nuances and steps in implementing change.  

Director of Development, Madison Square Park Conservancy

As we gather with friends and loved ones during this Holiday Season, in between eating too much and bickering with family, I know each of us will stop to give thanks for the very many things we have to be grateful in our lives.

The Changing Role of Major Gift Officers 

After nearly 40 years of working for great nonprofit organizations, I’ve come to realize the most challenging title to live up to is Major Gift Officer (MGO). According to Glassdoor.com, the average salary for open MGO positions in the New York area is $87,324—and there were over 300 openings! 

AFP-NYC Treasurer

It’s been two weeks since I attended the AFP Leadership Academy in Toronto and I’m still thinking about it.  I was joined there by fellow NYC chapter board members Veronica Bainbridge, Kerry Watterson and Sunil Oommen.

How is your fall so far?  If you are like me, it started with the post Labor Day rush and has not let up. I don’t expect the pace will let up until January—maybe.