Mentorship, Community, and Growth: Opportunities Through AFP-NYC's Emerging Leaders Committee

As 2021 drew to a close, I found myself at a crossroads in my fundraising career. I had been fundraising for a nonprofit organization for four years and was unsure of what my next step would be. I asked around and was introduced to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)-NYC and the Emerging Leaders Committee (ELC). I am incredibly grateful that I found AFP-NYC’s ELC, as it has allowed me to access a diverse network of members, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

1. Mentorship and Guidance:
Since joining the ELC, I have found the bi-monthly meetings to be excellent opportunities to workshop challenges and brainstorm solutions with fellow members. When I first started as a committee member, I was struck by everyone’s willingness to share their experiences, offer advice, make connections, and provide support. The diverse perspectives and expertise within AFP provided me with a fresh outlook, helping me navigate through times of uncertainty and ultimately make the right decision. For me, these conversations are a true testament to the power of community and peer support that AFP fosters.

2. Collaboration and Partnerships:
Each ELC member is asked to serve as a liaison one of the following subcommittees: Fundraising Day NY (FRDNY), Government Relations, Professional Advancement, I.D.E.A., Membership, and Communications. Over the last two years, I have served as the FRDNY liaison on Fundraising Day New York is the largest single-day conference on philanthropy and is made possible through the diligent and consistent effort of AFP’s Board and volunteers. As the FRDNY liaison, I attended biweekly Steering Committee meetings, met and worked with multiple AFP-NYC Board Members, and provided support with the gamification of the conference’s app.

In addition to working with the FRDNY Steering Committee, I got to collaborate with my fellow ELC members on the two events that the Committee hosts every year: one focused on fundraising education and a networking event. In 2022, for the educational event, we hosted a panel discussion around the good, the bad, and the unknown of emerging fundraising forms. In the weeks and months leading up to each event, I enjoyed working with ELC members to plan the functions, recruit speakers, promote the activities, and solicit sponsors.

Read more on AFP-NYC’s site here.