The Association of Fundraising Professionals believes that to guarantee human freedom and social creativity, people must have the right to freely and voluntarily form organizations to meet perceived needs, advocate causes, and seek funds to support these activities. To guarantee these rights, AFP's purposes are to:
• Foster development and growth of fundraising professionals committed to the preserving and enhancing philanthropy.
• Establish a code of ethics and professional practices.
• Require member adherence to a professional code of ethical standards and practices.
• Provide training opportunities for fundraising professionals.
• Implement programs that ensure cultural and social diversity in our membership and leadership.
• Collect, research, publish, and disseminate historical, managerial, and technical information on philanthropy and philanthropic fundraising.
• Promote public understanding of philanthropy and philanthropic fundraising.
• Conduct activities that maintain and develop legislation favorable to philanthropy.
• Enlist, organize, and support members to achieve our purposes.
• Foster international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and education among fundraising professionals worldwide.
• Use all necessary and proper means to accomplish our purposes.
• Provide a valid and reliable certification program for fundraising professionals.
AFP provides the following services to its members:
The AFP International Conference on Fundraising annually, draws more than 4,00, held 0 people from around the world and provides the ultimate networking opportunity through the many participatory workshops, leadership forums, round tables, plenary sessions and social events.
AFP Publications : AFP eWire, a weekly email newsletter; Public Policy Updates and Action Alerts that provide up-to-date information on government relations/advocacy issues; and Advancing Philanthropy, a bi-monthly magazine.
AFP Website (www.afpnet.org/) provides members with all of the latest news, information, updates and analysis from around the nonprofit sector, the fundraising profession and AFP. Through the AFP website, members can take courses online, participate in forums and online discussions and renew their membership.
The AFP Fundraising/Chapter Resource Center provides examples of chapter materials, such as monthly newsletters, sample job descriptions for staff and officers, budgets, mentoring programs, educational programs, membership recruitment and retention materials and National Philanthropy Day programs.
National Philanthropy Day (November 15) celebrates the great contributions of philanthropy in every community, as well as those individuals who work in the philanthropic process. More than 110 National Philanthropy Day celebrations involving more than 40,000 people are scheduled every year.
Scholarship programs to ensure educational opportunities are available to all fundraisers.
AFP Awards, including the Awards for Philanthropy, Awards for Excellence in Fundraising (sponsored by Campbell & Company), the Chapter Awards, the AFP Award for Outstanding Achievement in Internet Fundraising, and the Skystone Ryan Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy, all of which are presented each year during the AFP International Conference on Fundraising.