In honor of National Philanthropy Day®, AFP will be offering a $50.00 discount to new members joining in the Active category by November 30, 2010.

Fill out the membership invitation as usual, but deduct $50.00 from the total and include this coupon with your payment.*

*Coupon must be included with payment

One coupon per new member. Expires November 30, 2010

Questions, call the AFP Membership Department at (800)666-3863.

AFP is the fastest-growing association in the fundraising profession. Why? Because AFP offers the best networking opportunities, an unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards, and the most exciting and cutting-edge educational and professional advancement opportunities.

Professional Development

Membership provides accessible continuing education opportunities locally and nationally. Whether it is our monthly breakfast meetings, Brown-Bag lunch series, the annual conference or any number of other opportunities, you are sure to take away valuable information and contacts.

Some special opportunities include:

• Annual Conference - the Massachusetts Chapter's annual conference and Leadership Forum are among the best in the country.
• Fundraising Basics Course - designed for newcomers to the profession, this series is offered twice each year: in the spring over eight weeks, or a one-day intensive each fall, tied to the annual conference.
• International Conference - The annual International Conference on Fundraising is one of the largest educational events for professionals.

• The Diversity Fellows Program is an outreach initiative of the Massachusetts Chapter to encourage diversity within our profession. The Chapter’s objective is to offer its educational resources and the collective professional expertise of its membership – in accessible and user-friendly formats – to assist Fellows in building both their own professional fundraising skills and their organization’s capacity.

          Applications open each summer, with a submission deadline of the beginning of October.
          Please click here for a current copy of the full Fellows Program brochure/application.

Involvement

There are a host of Chapter committees that always welcome involvement from members.

Membership directories are a networking tool and resource of the profession. The annual AFP Directory lists all AFP members and affiliates, fundraising consultants and programs of the organization. (This directory is available only on the Internet.) The Massachusetts Chapter publishes a separate directory of its membership, available only to members.

Information/Research

The Fundraising Resource Center maintains a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, speeches, and audio/visual materials about fundraising and the not-for-profit sector.

Advancing Philanthropy is the quarterly professional magazine of the fundraising profession that keeps you in tune with the latest issues and trends.

News & Views is the Massachusetts Chapters' bimonthly newsletter that keeps you connected to issues and news at home. During months when News & Views is not published, a separate job postings listing is mailed so that you can stay on top of happenings in the employment market.

Certification

A profession is defined, in part, by the standards it sets for itself. The profession's certification program defines for employers, boards of directors, donors and the larger regulatory community, the fundraising experience, continuing education, and knowledge expected of a professional at the five-year level. AFP takes that a step further with an advanced credential.

• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation is earned by those with at least five years of experience, and who successfully complete the application and examination process.
• Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) is a credentialing program for identifying mastery of the profession for individuals with 10 years experience.

Ethics

AFP members and affiliates are proud they are required to practice their professional by a Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice - and that AFP has in place an enforcement procedure that ensures compliance, the only organization of its kind to do so.

Employment Assistance

Information about position openings in the local community and across the country - from entry-level to the most senior - is available first to AFP members and affiliates through the AFP Employment Opportunities newsletter (published monthly), the Chapter's News & Views newsletter and bi-monthly Job Opportunities newsletter. The Chapter offers significantly reduced advertising rates for members placing ads.

Scholarships

The AFP foundation actively seeks funds to ensure educational opportunities are available to fundraisers for the First Course in Fundraising, the International Conference on Fundraising and general educational courses on the national and chapter levels. The Massachusetts Chapter also makes scholarships available for the annual conference and other programs.

Advocacy/Public Service

AFP members and affiliates help develop legislation and regulations related to fundraising and philanthropy. They help make communities better by volunteering their expertise in public service and by helping celebrate opportunities for better living made possible through philanthropy. AFP collaborates with collegial organizations, nationally and locally, to expand its reach and help create a more productive environment.

The Massachusetts Chapter is proud of its Government Relations Committee and the work it has done to promote philanthropy in the Commonwealth. The Chapter was an integral part of the success in achieving a state charitable tax deduction (both legislatively and through ballot) for residents of the Commonwealth.