January 10th, 2023 | Virtual Event

"Should I stay or should I go now?"

We all face crossroads deciding when to grow your career in place and when to look for the next place. This session will share lessons learned from colleagues, application of career growth research, and take aways for your professional journey.

When do you move on?

When do you stay?

Discussion will include:

– Navigating career opportunities at your current organization and recognizing signs to go elsewhere

– Knowing what to look for in new career opportunities

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February 7th, 2023 | COhatch Upper Arlington

Leverage Capacity through Community Foundations

Most nonprofit development professionals are well aware of the competitive grant opportunities available through community foundations, but the opportunities offered by these philanthropic partners extend far beyond grant application cycles. Join us to hear from Hilary Stone, Senior Advisor for Donor Services, and Danielle Tong, Director of Capacity Building and Community Knowledge, to learn about how you can expand your fundraising capacity and pipeline by making the most of the broad array of services and development opportunities offered through your local community foundation. The session will include insights on grant opportunities, stewarding donors with donor-advised funds, capacity building training, endowment services, and support on everything from planned giving to assistance accepting gifts of complex assets.

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March 14th, 2023 | Charity Newsies - 4300 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214

Understanding the Board’s Role in Fundraising - BYOBM (bring your own board member)

Nonprofit boards play a critical role in fundraising, but according to national data, fundraising continues to top the list of board challenges. These challenges cause frustration for chief executives and development directors, which often leads to a disjointed relationship between the board and staff. Some boards may resist their responsibility to actively engage in fundraising efforts or simply may not understand how to be most helpful.

Successful board engagement in fundraising begins with an understanding of the board’s responsibilities. It is not opening their list of contacts and making cold calls — it is active engagement in relationship building to ensure that the organization has adequate resources to advance its mission. Join Kerri Mollard of Mollard Consulting to learn how to build a powerful partnership between the board, the chief executive, and the development director that addresses the challenges associated with board fundraising.

If you work closely with a board of trustees in your role, we welcome you to invite a board member to join you for this event.

Approved for 1.25 CFRE CE credits.

Due to space limitations, registration is limited to first come, first served. Pre-registration required.

The first 30 minutes are dedicated to networking. The session will begin promptly at 12:00pm.

Guests are encouraged to BYOBM – bring your own board member and a boxed lunch will be provided!

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April 25th, 2023 | COhatch Upper Arlington

Thinking Outside the Zoom Box: Creative Cultivation and Stewardship in a Hybrid World - presented by Emily Bell and Ashley Barron

We will highlight The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center framework for hosting cultivation and stewardship events and individual experiences, illustrating examples, and facilitating group conversation about strategies that work for those in attendance. We will discuss new strategies, and how Ohio State’s methods can be scaled to other organizations. We hope participants will leave with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for moving through the donor cycle.

Approved for 1.25 CFRE CE credits.

Due to space limitations, registration is limited to first come, first served. Pre-registration required.

The first 30 minutes are dedicated to networking. The session will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Coffee, water and a light continental breakfast will be provided.

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May 25th, 2023 |

Postponed: Inter-chapter Fellowship Happy Hour

Thank you to all those who registered for our inter-chapter happy hour on Thursday, May 25th. Unfortunately, due to lack of registrants, we will have to postpone this gathering until a later date. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. When this idea was developed, we were excited about the idea of AFP camaraderie instead of the reality that late May is a busy time for families with end-of-school year obligations that made evening travel difficult.

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June 6th, 2023 | Columbus College of Art and Design

What Inspires Big Gifts? Big Ideas. - presented by J.D. Beiting and Susan Brekelmans

Major donors give to major visions. These big ideas can propel major social advances, like eliminating disparities in health care, providing better educational opportunities, or building a new performing arts center. 60% of donors listed in the Forbes Top 50 Givers list claim their primary philanthropic goal is to be a powerful force for social change.

Yet, a big idea is anything but easy to achieve. It is akin to an epic adventure, filled with progress and pitfalls. It involves many partners, diverse perspectives, much coordination, and financial support from a variety of sources. The key to success is a well-articulated vision, collaboration, determination, and a good plan.

In this session, hear examples of how a big idea was formed, how it inspired major donors, addressed significant challenges, and stayed on the epic path. The topics explored in this session will dive into the roles of collaborating with multiple partners, addressing barriers, inclusive leadership, fundraising, and new trends in philanthropy.

The session will provide opportunities for dialogue, questions, and answers.

Learning Objectives:

• How to develop a big idea by fostering a healthy culture of collaboration with multiple partners.

• How to establish key priorities and plan to achieve the big idea.

• What to do when the inevitable pitfalls happen, how to address, and how to stay on the path in the epic journey.

Approved for 1.25 CFRE CE credits.

Due to space limitations, registration is limited to first come, first served. Pre-registration required and the registration deadline is June 2nd at noon.

The first 30 minutes are dedicated to networking. The session will begin promptly at 12:00pm.

Boxed lunch will be provided!

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July 11th, 2023 | The Peak at Edison - 781 Science Blvd Gahanna, OH 43230

Cocktails & Calamities

..Lessons learned.

AFP Central Ohio’s beloved, annual “Cocktails & Calamities” tradition is back!

Our 2023 slate of speakers include:

• Kristina Rawson, Columbus College of Art & Design
• Drew Kaufman, The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio
• Subha Lembach, Charity Newsies
• Sheri Jones, SureImpact
• Lori Overmyer, Goettler Associates
• Solonas Karoulla, Godman Guild Association

We often hear “development folks could write a book” when talking about their roles and real-life conversations with donors, volunteers, and community members. So much of our profession involves relationship building and oftentimes there can be awkward conversations or experiences that make us second-guess, laugh unexpectedly, or cringe altogether. Cocktails & Calamities offers a safe and reflective space for members and guests to learn from other professionals in a networking and panel environment. You’ll learn not just what happened, but the whys, how they handled it, and retrospective lessons learned.

To introduce themselves, you’ll hear a one-minute teaser from each presenter. Then you’ll get to choose which of the presenters to visit for a round table discussion where you’ll hear “the rest of the story.”

Due to space limitations, registration is limited to first come, first served. Pre-registration required and the registration deadline is July 7th at noon.

The first 30 minutes are dedicated to networking. The session will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.

Appetizers and drinks will be provided!

Approved for 1.25 CFRE credits.

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August 8th, 2023 | Olentangy River Brewing Company

Donor Relations: Boondoggles & Booyahs - presented by Jeff Redfield, Jodi Bopp, & Erich Hunker

Donor relations are a critical aspect of all fundraising. According to AFP, “good planning is essential for building donor relationships.” And CFRE states the “focus of philanthropy must be relationship-building that is customized to the needs and desires of the donor. The more you know about potential donors’ motives and how they like to give, the better positioned you are to make effective solicitations.” With current trends shared by Giving USA 2022 results, good donor relations are more crucial than ever. 

Join three central Ohio seasoned fundraisers for this unique, engaging, and interactive two-part session focusing on donor relations.  Combined, the speakers have 100+ years of combined experience, two CFREs, two Central Ohio NPD Fundraisers of the Year, and all three served as AFP of Central Ohio Chapter Presidents (each in a different decade!). With attendees’ participation, we will explore:

• The difference between boondoggles and booyahs in donor relations
• Real-life experiences and examples
• Donor relation tips
• How donor relations can influence your success, both with your donor and your organization.

This educational opportunity is divided into two parts.  Part 1 (4:00 – 5:00 p.m.) will:

• Explain and define boondoggles and booyahs
• Share examples of donor relations and how to turn a boondoggle into a booyah
• Provide participants with several examples of modifying common — but not always productive — fundraising practices or behaviors to result in better donor relations

After a short break with time to grab a beverage, part 2 (5:00 – 6:00 p.m.) will:

• Give attendees the chance to ask their own difficult donor relations questions in a candid and confidential space.
• Come prepared to ask your questions!

Everyone is encouraged to attend both sessions, but if the program is designed that if you can only attend one, you’ll still get something out of the presentation.  

Due to space limitations, registration is limited to first come, first served. Pre-registration required and the registration deadline is August 4th at noon.

There will be a cash bar and light snacks will be provided.

The first 30 minutes are dedicated to networking.

The session will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m.

Approved for 1.25 CFRE credits.

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September 12th, 2023 | Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland

An Introduction to Community-Centric Fundraising | Presented by Drew Kaufman, Alaina McCleery & Tamaliyapo Mphande

The movement for Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) has been growing for 3 years now. More and more fundraisers are hearing about CCF and its different take on fundraising and donor relations. It has sparked disagreement online amongst prominent consultants and become a frequent topic of conversation amongst fundraisers. Often questions arise about how to implement CCF practices and principles, whether they’re realistic, and whether they can lead to fundraising success. But simultaneously, many people in our field are asking whether the donor-centric mindset is doing enough to meet the needs of communities that have been excluded and marginalized, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, and more. Join us for a lunch session focused on CCF. We’ll hear from special guest speakers, Alaina McCleery and Tamaliyapo Mphande, about how they’re integrating CCF into their fundraising programs. Plus, we’ll have an opportunity for the audience to dive into some of the principles of CCF to see how they might be integrated into the work your organization is doing. If you’ve been curious about CCF, now is your chance to learn more about how this movement is showing up right here in Central Ohio. Please RSVP today to save your seat!

Approved for 1.25 CFRE credits.

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October 10th, 2023 | The Columbus Foundation

Joint Event with the Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio | Common Mistakes in Charitable Gift Planning

This presentation will educate charitable gift planners and fundraising professionals on common mistakes made in charitable gift planning to equip them to spot issues and help donors avoid these mistakes. The presentation will discuss mistakes that frequently occur when making lifetime gifts as well as planned gifts funded at death. We will discuss the role of gift planners in identifying these mistakes and their duty to follow ethical guidelines.

Approved for 1.25 CFRE CE credits.

Miranda E. Morgan, Partner IceMiller Legal Counsel

Miranda Morgan concentrates her practice in tax law, with a focus in gift, estate and trust taxation. She is a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors.

She advises individuals on estate planning, succession planning, charitable planning and wealth transfer planning. Miranda represents fiduciaries in estate administration matters and counsels trustees on trust administration and fiduciary responsibilities. She also represents clients in controversies with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including examinations and other proceedings at all administrative levels of the IRS.

Miranda received her Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University, summa cum laude. She received her juris doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law, graduating with honors, and was the chief managing editor of The Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law. While practicing law, Miranda earned her Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from Capital University Law School, summa cum laude.

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October 24th, 2023 | COhatch Polaris - the Pub

AFP Central Ohio Networking Event

Join us at the COhatch Polaris in the Pub and come ready to interact! There will be very little “presentation” during this event, as the purpose is to build and re-build the invaluable connections through AFP that benefit you and your career. There will be a mix of “structured” and “unstructured” time to connect with peers and identify how this incredible “network” of professionals can serve as the most valuable resource you have. We hope this event will serve as a catalyst to “jumpstart” your AFP connections and create a solid foundation of relationships from which to build. For this reason, we’ve made this event $5 for AFP members and $10 for non-members, so be sure to invite your colleagues to this fun networking event! Don’t forget to bring your business cards!

At this networking event, you’ll be able to enjoy a cash bar that will offer beer, wine, seltzer, and soda. Light snacks will be provided. We look forward to spending time with you at this festive event at the end of October!

Due to space limitations, registration is limited to first come, first served. Pre-registration required by October 20, 2023.

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