October 4, 2023 Monthly Meeting
2023-10-04 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | American Red Cross, 1102 S. 16th Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Each year the Cape Fear Region AFP chapter meets to discuss the importance of ethical fundraising. Join us as we do a guided roundtable of fundraising ethics.
Free for members | $10 for non-members
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Monthly Meeting - Multi-Faceted Perspectives on Fundraising
2024-04-03 08:00 - 09:30 | American Red Cross, 1102 S. 16th Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Multi-Faceted Perspectives on Fundraising

A conversation with Reid Murchison, who has direct experience with fundraising from many perspectives.

Reid has been a prospect for contributions from many nonprofits, a donor, a volunteer, a founder of a nonprofit, and has a robust financial planning practice for clients seeking his advice connected to philanthropy and legacy giving.

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Monthly Meeting: Evolution of a Development Leader
2025-06-04 08:00 - 09:30 | NC
Evolution of a Development Leader
Evolution of a Development Leader
Development is more than a job; it is a career. Join this interactive session to learn how to proactively shape your own career with intention and grace, as well as how to help others grow in the profession. Whether you are a rising development star or a mentor to others, this session will help you think about ways to enhance the journey while achieving your professional goals.
Bert Armstrong has served the nonprofit and philanthropic community as a fundraising professional, senior administrator, consultant, volunteer, and board member for more than three decades. As co-founder and principal of Armstrong McGuire, he has spent the past 18 years leading searches for nonprofit and philanthropic executives and professionals, facilitating dynamic planning efforts, and helping Armstrong McGuire clients raise tens of millions of dollars. Today, Bert leads a talented team that is dedicated to helping Armstrong McGuire’s clients reach their potential for doing great things in their communities.
Networking: 8-8:30 a.m.
Program: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting is free for AFP members and $10 for non-members.
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July 2 - Sharing Our Development Journeys
2025-07-02 08:00 - 09:30 | New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
REGISTERSharing Our Development Journeys

Notice: Our July presenter, Reid Murchison, had a family emergency and unfortunately cannot make it to this month’s meeting. We are pivoting and will follow-up on last month’s meeting Evolution of a Development Leader Presentation with Bert Armstrong. Many of us were inspired and validated last month by hearing Bert Armstrong share his own career story and the Evolution of a Development Leader presentation. We’ll continue the conversation this week by sharing our own journeys. Several of the more experienced members of our chapter will begin by briefly sharing their own journeys and then we will split into discussion groups where we can each briefly share our story and a goal we have for the evolution of our own career.

Networking: 8-8:30 a.m.
Program: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting is free for AFP members and $10 for non-members.

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August 6 - Secrets of Happiness
2025-08-06 08:00 - 09:30 | New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
Secrets of Happiness
Scientists and academics have spent entire careers exploring what truly makes people happy. Presented by Mona Johnson-Gibson, in this session we’ll dive into bite-sized, easy-to-digest insights from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People by David Niven, Ph.D. You’ll leave with practical, uplifting takeaways—maybe even one that helps turn an ordinary day into a more joyful life.
Networking: 8-8:30 a.m.
Program: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting is free for AFP members and $10 for non-members.
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Presenter: Mona Johnson-Gibson
Mona has more than 30 years of experience in the private, public and non-profit sector in the areas of human service, marketing, training and administration. She formerly was the CEO of the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte for 12 years before retiring in January 2020 to Brunswick County. Mona currently contracts with UNC Wilmington as a non-profit coach for the QENO program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from UNC-Charlotte and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Wake Forest University. She is a past president of Metropolitan Business & Professional Women (BPW) and has served BPW at the district and state levels. She also has served on the Cabarrus Mediation and Teen Court Board helping teens in trouble. In 2011 she was named one of the Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women.
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Monthly Meeting: Boundless Impact For Fundraising Events
2026-02-04 08:00 - 09:30 | New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
Boundless Impact For Fundraising Events
Join AFP Cape Fear Region for our February Chapter Meeting featuring presenter Magen McRoberts and her session, Boundless Impact for Fundraising Events.
This education series presentation provides a comprehensive look at planning and executing successful fundraising events—from initial concept through post-event follow-up. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating a seamless and engaging experience for donors, guests, and sponsors, while maximizing impact and strengthening relationships.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
8-8:30am Coffee/Networking
8:30-9:30am Program

RegisterREGISTER NOW!

Monthly Meeting: Spring "Break" Out Sessions
2026-04-01 08:00 - 09:30 | New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
Please join us for our Spring “Break” Out Sessions on Wednesday, April 1st. The break out session topics are:
Planned Giving ( a follow up from January) – Led by Julie Schuldner
Major Gifts and Small Shops – Led by Kristin McPeters
House Parties and Fundraising – Led by Leigh Johnson
Networking: 8 a.m.
Program: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting is free for AFP members and $10 for non-members.
REGISTERKarin Cox, MFA
President
Karin has helped Kinetic clients raise hundreds of millions of dollars through customized, research-based counsel and guidance. She is adept at drawing out the potential in nonprofits and providing the confidence and competencies they need to raise more money than they ever thought possible. Karin has served in senior leadership roles in nonprofit and business sectors, and is an author, frequent presenter and senior consultant.
Karin is the author of Fundraising Leadership: The Essential Guide for Nonprofit Board Members Who Want to Make a Lasting Difference. She developed the widely adopted Cox Grid, which was first presented in her “Fundraising Events” chapter in Fundraising Principles and Practice, the definitive fundraising text published by Jossey-Bass. Karin serves on the board of Kentucky to the World. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Aaron Johnson
Senior Vice President
Aaron has an extensive background and decades of experience managing and implementing all aspects of philanthropy including integrated plans for regular giving, capital campaigns and special events for major donors. Aaron’s expertise is also in scaling giving programs and building donor loyalty through strategic planning, growing major gifts and donor engagement.
In addition, he has broad knowledge of and expertise in communications strategies including print and digital media for content, creative and analytics. As an internet marketing specialist for Archon Media, he developed strategies with clients to increase their online presence and visibility through strategic search engine optimization.
While studying computer engineering and applied mathematics at Western Michigan University, he also provided fundraising leadership to the university’s student-based telemarketing program where he hired, trained and supervised 60 student employees; represented WMU with prospective alumni donors; interfaced with media sources; and helped raise over $1 million annually.

Monthly Meeting: Red, White, and You - Coaching For Success
2026-07-01 08:30 - 09:30 | NC
Red, White, and You – Coaching For Success
Shelbourn Stevens is the founder of SOS Performance Coaching, a personal and professional coaching service dedicated to helping people achieve clarity, confidence, and meaningful success. With a career built on leadership, mentoring, and communication, Shelbourn understands that growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones with the right guidance beside us.
Presenter: Shelbourn Stevens
Program: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting is free for AFP members and $10 for non-members.
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Shelbourn Stevens RRT, RCP, MBA
Certified performance coach
Purpose Driven Strategy | Mindset Awareness | Action Accountability | Leadership Effectiveness
Prior to starting SOS Performance Coaching, Shelbourn has over 25 years of executive experience in healthcare in a variety of roles including president of multiple facilities.
Shelbourn Stevens is an expert in driving strategy, operations, and business development across highly matrixed health systems. He has extensive experience executing transformational approaches to capital planning, financial management, consumer experience, community engagement, physician practice management, and quality improvement. He is consistently recognized for his success in guiding teams through rapid change while improving organizational capabilities through process improvements.
Shelbourn holds an MBA from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC; a BS in Business Administration from High Point University, High Point, NC; and an AS in Respiratory Therapy from Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
