North Carolina AFP State Conference
The AFP NC Philanthropy Conference will be hosted by the Cape Fear Chapter in 2025!
SAVE THE DATE: September 5, 2025, Hotel Ballast
2025 AFP NC Philanthropy Conference website will be updated with registration and information in the coming months: HERE.
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.
As we’ve done in the past, the AFP Cape Fear Chapter will reimburse 50% of the early bird rate – on a First Come-First Served basis.
- There is no application, just a simple request via email to our chapter’s treasurer, Larry Sackett, at lbsackett@gmail.com.
- Once we hit $1500 in promised scholarships, no more will be approved.
- You must pay up front and be reimbursed by submitting a registration receipt after you attend the conference. No checks will be cut until after the conference, when we can confirm your attendance. If you do not attend, you will not receive the scholarship.
- If you request the scholarship after the early bird time frame and we still have funds left, we will reimburse at 50% of early bird rate.
CHAMBERLAIN SCHOLARSHIP – APPLY NOW
AFP ICON, AFP’s flagship “International Conference,” is held each spring and brings together nearly 4,000 fundraising professionals to discuss important trends and issues related to fundraising and philanthropy, with a focus on fundraising practice and technique.
The AFP ICON 2025 will be taking place April 27-29 in Seattle, WA!
An AFP Cape Fear Region Chapter Member who has never attended an AFP ~or~ NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising, may submit a Chamberlain Scholarship application. The Chamberlain Scholarship covers the registration to the ICON – AFP International conference thanks to the AFP Foundation’s BE the CAUSE campaign. Chamberlain Scholars must pay a $10 processing fee.
AND, thanks to our Chapter’s efforts and proceeds from the annual National Philanthropy Day event, our Chapter will provide up to $1,500 reimbursement toward qualified travel and lodging expenses (receipts required).
2020 Chamberlain Scholar
Kristin McPeters, CFRE received the chapter’s 2020 Chamberlain Scholarship to attend the Virtual – AFP ICON 2020.
2019 Chamberlain Scholar
Logan White Thompson, CFRE received the chapter’s 2019 Chamberlain Scholarship to attend the AFP ICON 2019 in San Antonio, TX.Winning the Chamberlain Scholarship and attending AFPICON this year was an experience like no other! It is such an honor to be chosen by your peers to participate in such a enriching and inspiring conference. I was able to participate in workshops of all kinds – from social media marketing to major gifts to human resource management, and more. I feel like I gained knowledge and access to resources that will allow me to continue to grow and become a better professional in the nonprofit sector.I highly recommend anyone eligible for this scholarship to APPLY TODAY. Not only is your conference covered, but nearly all other expenses related to travel, meals, etc. For those of us who are working so hard to make our nonprofits stronger every day, it truly is a gift to take a step away and give yourself the chance to learn and grow and focus on yourself for a few days. It is a total professional reboot. I feel more inspired than ever to do the hard work and make things happen for my organization, thanks to the Chamberlain Scholarship.
2018 Chamberlain Scholar
Lauren Daley Bryant received the chapter’s 2018 Chamberlain Scholarship to attend the AFP ICON 2018 in New Orleans, LA.In April I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to New Orleans for AFP International Conference, all thanks to being awarded the Chamberlain Scholarship.
During the 3-day conference, I attended many thought provoking and exciting workshops ranging from Annual Campaigns to Special Events, to Diversity and Inclusion, to Storytelling for Your Organization. No matter the size of your organization or scope of your day-to-day duties this conference had something for everyone – Jazz Band at lunch and all! One of the highlights of my time in New Orleans (next to the Beignets of course) was getting to meet and connect with so many diverse fundraisers from all across the world. Over 3,000 people attended this year’s conference.
The closing session featuring key note Bryan Stevenson from the Equal Justice Initiative motivated everyone in the room to do better and be better community leaders and participants. If you’ve never heard him speak or heard of his work, I encourage you to look him up and watch his TED Talk. Also during the closing session two awards for Youth in Philanthropy were given to amazing young people – one to a girl who raised funds for an inclusive playground in her community and the other to three sisters who started Paper for Water; “bringing water to the thirsty one piece of paper at time”. These sisters raised over $1.45 million dollars in less than 7 years by making and selling origami – they are only 8, 11, and 14! Talk about inspiring!
I left the conference feeling energized to put forward all of the amazing tips and takeaways I had learned over the 3 days. Thank you to our chapter, AFP Cape Fear for presenting me with the Chamberlain Scholarship for this incredible opportunity! If you’ve never attended an AFP International Conference, I strongly encourage you to apply for the Chamberlain Scholarship.
PAST CHAMBERLAIN SCHOLARS
2024 Cathy McClain
2023 Mary Bradley
2021 Stephanie Borrett
2020 Kristin McPeters, CFRE
2019 Logan White Thompson, CFRE
2018 Lauren Daley, MPA
2017 JC Lyle
2016 Dawn B. Carter
2015 Bethany Leighton
2013 Vann Pearsall
2009 Patricia Lawler
2008 Laurie H. Taylor, CFRE
Birnbach Scholarship for CFRE Credentials
The Cape Fear Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals new scholarship for members who are interested in pursuing their Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials. The Birnbach Scholarship for CFRE Credentials will provided the winning applicant(s) with the funds to cover study materials and the CFRE exam fees for a local member in good standing who has been in the professional fundraising field for at least five years.
The Birnbach Scholarship has been set up by Jane Birnbach, CFRE, to help reduce barriers for nonprofit leaders who wish to advance both their careers and the profession with this professional certification. The Cape Fear AFP chapter will administer the scholarship and local professionals with a vested interest in the development of nonprofit professionals—but are not potential candidates—will be asked to review the applications.
The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is an internationally recognized credential that attests to an individual’s knowledge, skill, and achievements as a fundraising professional based on current and valid practice-based standards. To apply for the 2021 scholarship, download and fill out this form: 2021 Application – Birnbach Scholarship for CFRE Credentials
The Board of Directors Cape Fear Region Chapter are pleased to announce two scholarship recipients to assist in obtaining their Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials.
Logan Thompson is the recipient of the Birnbach Scholarship for CFRE Certification in 2021. Thompson currently serves as the Director of Philanthropy at Cape Fear Community College Foundation, where she has surpassed annual fundraising goals within months and increased donor stewardship by 300%. Previously, Thompson was the Executive Director of Welcome Home Angel from 2016-2020, where she oversaw tremendous growth in annual revenue and individual giving.
The AFP Cape Fear Chapter is matching the Birnbach Scholarship for 2021, as part of its mission to provide fundraising professionals in our community with professional development opportunities for effective and ethical fundraising practices.
Bethany Leighton is the recipient of the AFP Cape Fear Chapter Scholarship for CFRE certification. Leighton currently serves as the Executive Director of Canines for Service, a role which she accepted in October 2020. Prior to that, Leighton served as the Fundraising Director for StepUp Wilmington from 2016-2020. Leighton has more than 14 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, and communications. Leighton has served on the Board of the Cape Fear Chapter since 2015 and is wrapping up her two year term as President of the AFP Cape Fear Chapter at the end of this year.