AFP-NYC's Affirmation to the Fundraising Community

As a professional association of fundraisers, our members have been on the frontlines during this incredibly difficult time in America. For fundraisers of color, and in particular Black fundraisers, this time has been extremely hard. We must lift up our colleagues now and in the future.
 
We affirm that systemic and institutionalized racism permeates every corner of our society. From discriminatory hiring practices and limited opportunities for advancement to micro and macro-aggressions hurled at our colleagues - unfortunately, our profession is not immune. The pandemic, financial crisis, and murders of Black people across the nation compound all of this. 
 
AFP-NYC is in solidarity with the peaceful demonstrations happening in support of Black communities. We reaffirm our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access, and we continue to make efforts and strides to be the organization we want to be. In 2018, AFP-NYC established the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Committee to recognize inclusion as essential to the vitality, creativity, innovation, strength, and impact of our organization. Furthermore, that inclusion involves respectful environments intentionally open to all, values and welcomes the contributions and equitable participation of every individual, and reflects and represents those they serve. And as a result, we have made changes to the way we program and what we offer to members. We encourage everyone to be a part of this historic and monumental movement and we hope that you will be on the journey with us. 
 
On behalf of the Board and the members of AFP-NYC, we have made donations to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund (NAACP - LDF) and Black Visions Collective in Minnesota. We hope that you will join us in supporting them and other organizations working to build an equitable future for Black communities.