AFP NC Cape Fear Region

August 6 - Secrets of Happiness
2025-08-06 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | 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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1-Day Conference, Wilmington, NC
2025-09-05 | Hotel Ballast, 301 N Water St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
The 2025 conference will be hosted by AFP Cape Fear on Sept. 5, 2025!
Our annual conference offers innovative and timely information in fundraising programs presented by knowledgeable speakers. These educational programs cover an array of topics to meet the broad needs of our diverse membership. We invite you to share your expertise, connect with a state-wide network of fundraising professionals, and tap into your creativity by attending, presenting or sponsoring the conference.
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2025 conference, email the AFP NC Sponsorship chair, Julie Schuldner
Early-Bird Conference Registration Open NOW!
Early Bird from now until July 7

Member: $175
Non-Member: $225

Registration closes August 29

Member: $250
Non-Member: $300

Walk-in day of the conference

$350 for members and non-members

Refunds are offered through August 15. No refunds will be offered after this date.
REGISTER HERE!
Not an AFP member? Click here to read more about the benefits of being an AFP member.
Thank You Sponsors!Conference Website

Upcoming Nonprofit Events
2026-01-22 - 2027-01-05 | NC
Upcoming Member Events:
Summer Soiree - Grand Opening of Cape Fear Museum
Member Nonprofit: Cape Fear Museum
Date: August 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Cape Fear Museum (230 Grace St)
Learn MoreBoys & Girls Clubs 2026 Golf Classic
Member Nonprofit: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina
Date: October 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Country Club of Landfall
Learn MoreHome Sweet Hope Breakfast
Member Nonprofit: Family Promise of the Lower Cape Fear
Date: December 1, 2026
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 AM
Location: First Baptist Activity Center
Learn MoreWSO's Holly Jolly Mixer
Member Nonprofit: Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
Date: December 7, 2026
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
Learn MoreSymphony Mardi Gras Gala
Member Nonprofit: Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
Date: January 30, 2027
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: UNCW Burney Center
Learn MoreAFP Cape Fear Region Chapter’s member nonprofits can share their upcoming events on our website to showcase what is happening in our community!

Must be an AFP Cape Fear Region Chapter member to be listed.
The events listed on this website are not AFP chapter-related events and our chapter does not endorse them.
Email afpcapefear@gmail.com to request your events be added to this list.
When emailing your event, please include the event title, date, and link.

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: 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.
REGISTER

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).

Monthly Meeting: Creating a Culture of Philanthropy Throughout Your Organization
2026-08-05 08:00 - 09:30 | New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, United States
“Creating a Culture of Philanthropy Throughout Your Organization,” will explore how your organization can move beyond stewardship as a set of donor follow-up tasks and build a deeper, institution-wide commitment to generosity, gratitude and relationship-building. Doug will discuss how a true culture of philanthropy involves the executive leadership, board, fundraising staff, and volunteers working from a shared understanding that philanthropy is not simply about raising money. It is about inviting people into a meaningful partnership with your mission. The presentation will offer practical ways to strengthen internal alignment, equip leaders and staff to see their role in donor engagement, communicate impact more consistently and create experiences that help donors feel known, valued and connected to reach your greatest level of success.
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.
REGISTER

The AI-Ready Nonprofit: A Half-Day Intensive with Nathan Chappell
2026-10-16 09:00 - 13:30 | Harrelson Center, 20 N. 4th Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
SAVE THE DATE!
Join the AFP Cape Fear Region Chapter for a special half-day program on October 16, 2026.
Presented by Nathan Chappell, one of the world’s leading experts on AI and philanthropy, will explore how nonprofit professionals and volunteers at every level can unlock the power of curiosity to drive innovation and deepen their mission impact.
Registration
AFP Members:

$40 (Early Bird – Aug. 31)
$60 (After Aug. 31)

Non-Members:

$55 (Early Bird – Aug. 31)
$75 (After Aug. 31)

Registration will open on July 15, 2026

Nathan Chappell, MBA, MNA, CFRE, AIGP
Chief AI Officer, Virtuous
Nathan Chappell is a thought leader, public speaker, author, and AI inventor, recognized globally as an expert on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and generosity. Nathan serves as Chief AI Officer at Virtuous Software where he supports AI integration to help nonprofit organizations amplify mission at scale. In 2018, Nathan founded Fundraising.AI, the world’s largest global advocacy organization for Responsible and Beneficial AI in the nonprofit sector. Additionally, he is author of two books, Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good and the 2022 award-winning book, The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges, which has been deemed “required reading for this generation of fundraisers”. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Nathan is a global keynote speaker and content contributor. His work has been featured in NPR, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Forbes, Fast Company and more. His podcast, Fundraising AI, is among the top nonprofit technology podcasts worldwide.
Nathan serves as an advisor for the OpenAI Users Forum, the AI for Good Foundation, the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS), and the Forbes Technology Council.
He holds a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from University of Notre Dame, an MBA from University of Redlands, a certificate in International Economics from University of Cambridge, a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT, a certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute of Sustainable Philanthropy, is a certified fundraising executive (CFRE) and holds a credential by IAPP as an AI Governance Professional (AIGP).
