A Time for Gratitude
Chapter Leadership Brief 11.26.25
by Craig H. Shelley, CFRE
President, Association of Fundraising Professionals – NYC Chapter
CEO, Schultz & Williams
Hopefully, like me, you each will have the opportunity this week to gather with people you care about and reflect on all you have to be grateful for. Professionally, I remain grateful for the opportunity to do work that matters, and I suspect many of you feel the same way.
As I approach the end of my two-year term as Chapter President on December 31st, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on this experience. It has been an absolute privilege to play a substantive role in our community. These have been tumultuous years in the world around us, but I believe our chapter has consistently delivered the content and connections our members deserve.
Fundraising Day New York has emerged from the pandemic years more vibrant than ever. Our annual meeting has become a true tentpole gathering, energizing our community at the start of each year. Our most recent National Philanthropy Day was nothing short of epic.
Our professional advancement events, whether in our new half-day symposium structure or our traditional morning format, have provided valuable opportunities for leaders to refine their craft. Our mentorship program is operating at a scale we’ve never seen before. Our Emerging Leaders programming continues to fuel excitement, engagement, and growth across the field. There is so much to be proud of.
I’m deeply grateful to the exceptional board members and volunteers who have made all of this possible over the past two years. I appreciate the hard work our staff puts in to make it all look seamless. And I remain honored that our members entrusted me with this role and that our community has responded so enthusiastically to our collective efforts.
When I began my term, I set out to increase the quality of the opportunities we offer for connection and learning, to strengthen our commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive fundraising profession in New York City, and to break down silos within our board so the full talent of our leaders could benefit the community. The journey is ongoing, but I’m grateful for the meaningful progress we’ve made together.
I’ll close, once again, by saying thank you. Thank you for what you do. Fundraising and nonprofit leadership are hard work. You will hear “no” more often than “yes.” But your work matters. It makes the world better every single day. Thank you for choosing to do it.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Craig collaborates with ambitious nonprofit leaders to accelerate their impact, bringing a creative yet practical approach to strategy, organizational development, fundraising, and board optimization. As CEO of Schultz & Williams, he leads one of the nation’s premier consulting firms specializing in fundraising strategy, direct response, strategic planning, and outsourced development. In partnership with Carey & Co—which provides complementary expertise in finance, HR, and executive leadership—Craig ensures clients receive integrated, mission-centered solutions that strengthen organizations and drive sustainable growth.
A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Craig is a frequent speaker and author on leadership and philanthropy. He also serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - New York City Chapter and as a member of the board of directors of The Giving Institute.