Stephanie Christie

Comp Drug/Youth to Youth

Q:        Tell us a little about your organization. Mission? Population you serve? What do you like most about working there?       

A:         CompDrug offers a comprehensive spectrum of services focusing on treatment and prevention of substance misuse and abuse.

Q:        How long have you been an AFP member, and what has your involvement been?

A:         Stephanie just received her 5-year badge! Her involvement has evolved from being a periphery member to joining committees, becoming a mentee and now chairing National Philanthropy Day. She has continued to find her membership more rewarding as her involvement in the organization has progressed. She is sure that Chairing National Philanthropy Day this year will bring her skills and experience she couldn’t have gained elsewhere. She has learned that getting involved at a committee and leadership level has provided the most opportunities for networking and relationship building that has a priceless value. 

Q:        What do you consider the most valuable part of your AFP membership?

A:         AFP membership has functioned as an organic mentorship for Stephanie. Relationship building with development professionals, connections to outside philanthropists and networking are just a few of the experiences she considers most valuable. She has been able to learn through the collective experience and knowledge of her fundraising peers.

Q:        How long have you been in fundraising, and how did you get into it?      

A:         Stephanie has been in the fundraising field upwards of 6 years, and has officially been Development Director for 6 months. IT is because of her involvement in AFP that she was able to successfully advocate for this organization’s first full-time development director in its history.  

Q:        What is your favorite part about living/working in Columbus?

A:         Stephanie has a great appreciation for the arts and cultures scene in Columbus. She views Columbus as a big city with a small-town feel. And most of all, she views Columbus’ saturation with nonprofits to be a reflection of the values and priorities of our city. She is proud to be a part of such an empowering city.

Q:        Tell us a fun fact about you that other AFP members wouldn’t know. 

A:         Stephanie JUST GOT ENGAGED! This past January J

Q:        Tell us about your experience with the mentor/mentee program.

A:         Stephanie could not speak more highly of the mentor/mentee program. It enabled her to take on a completely new fundraising position within CompDrug with confidence. Her mentor, Ruth Watkins, helped Stephanie foster relationships that have lasted well beyond the program. On a practical side, she appreciated the materials and insight Ruth provided her. But Stephanie also enjoyed having an experienced member of the field she could bounce her ideas off of; Ruth’s feedback gave her assurance she was on the right track and making the right decisions.

Posted March 2017

Chris Baker

Executive Director

Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

Q:        Tell us a little about your organization. Mission? Population you serve? What do you like most about working there?  

A:         For over three decades Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has been committed to driving community change, stimulating new ideas, and engaging audiences in a conversation around sustainable food and agriculture.

Our mission: “To grow a vibrant food community for all Ohioans.”

Farm Bureau Foundation is committed to support the next generation of agriculture producers, scientists, and business and community leaders.  In 2016, over $30,000 was awarded in scholarships and professional development opportunities for individuals in food and agriculture. An additional $30,000 was invested in programs committed to addressing Ohio’s agricultural challenges.

I enjoy working with a group of people who are committed to feeding people and nourishing communities.

Q.     Does your organization have any special events coming up? Tell us about them!

A.     Golf Tournament on June 26^th (Jefferson Golf and Country Club)

Cultivating a Cure on August 20^th (Fundraiser in support of cancer research at the James)

Q:        How long have you been an AFP member, and what has your involvement been?

A:         I first joined AFP in 2011 while working in Washington State. Since moving back to Ohio in late 2015, I have received my CFRE and joined the board of Central Ohio AFP.

Q:        What do you consider the most valuable part of your AFP membership?

A:         The networking opportunities that AFP provides to individuals working in small organizations are invaluable. As a member, you have an entire community of talent and resources to draw on.  Have a question about closing a major gift, or the difference between CRUTS and CRATS? There is a pretty good chance someone in the chapter is an expert in that specialty and can assist you.

Q:        How long have you been in fundraising, and how did you get into it?      

A:         I began my fundraising career right out of college when I joined the Boy Scouts as a District Executive.  At the time, I thought I would gain some experience working for a not for profit organization and make the transition to my planned for career when the job market rebounded. Little did I know, the next 13 years would be spent working in development for several organizations in three states.

Q:        What is your favorite part about living/working in Columbus? Favorite Restaurant?

A:         Friendly people, big city amenities, and a 20 minutes commute… it doesn’t get much better.

As a devoted Foodie, here are my recommendations: Breakfast – Skillet, Cheap Eats – Los Galapagos, Best Tacos – Los Gauchos Taqueria, Fine Dining – Lindey’s

Q:        Tell us a fun fact about you that other AFP members wouldn’t know.

A:         While in college, I once fought in a “Toughman” Competition. My official record was 1-1

Q:      What special perspective does your position as an executive director bring to the AFP board table?

A:      In my experience the best executive directors are great fundraisers, that just happen to have additional experience in board management, staffing, strategic planning and resource management.

Q:      Tell us why you chose to get a CFRE, and a little about the process?

A: My choice to pursue the CFRE certification was very easy to make, and thoroughly informed by my experience with AFP. Having spent the majority of my career working for a national nonprofit, it was apparent to me that there was a significant difference between how I was prepared for my role as a professional fundraiser when contrasted with the individuals that I met through my local AFP chapter.

At the time, my organization focused their training largely on the implementation of a proprietary fundraising system. While this system was successful for a while, it stood in stark contrast with the evidence based best practices that were employed by other organizations.

It was the realization that I was being left behind, and that it was up to me to take ownership over my career, that ultimately prompted action. I changed jobs, found a mentor committed to helping me achieve my goal of certification, and starting studying.

Unfortunately, the majority of my educational experience to that point did not count toward the CFRE application. Over the next 18 months, I ramped up my involvement in AFP, attended several conferences, and even a few webinars to get the requisite number of points to sit for the exam.

Too much attention is given to the test! (Yes, it is a miserable affair) Thankfully the real value of the certification is in the process. For me, that meant increasing my involvement with AFP, regularly interacting with my mentor, and learning those best practices that drove my decision making in the first place.

Posted March 2017

Natalie R. Coles

Area Development Director

UNCF (The United Negro College Fund)

Natalie (center) with two UNCF scholarship students.

Q:           Tell us a little about your organization. Mission? Population you serve? What do you like most about working there?   

A:           UNCF is the nation’s oldest scholarship organization. We have been in existence since 1944 and currently give more scholarships to students nationally than any other organization second only to the federal government. UNCF’s mission is to help minority and underrepresented students get to and through college. We accomplish this with a three tier strategy: we support 37 historically black colleges and universities, we support students with over 10,000 scholarships annually and we advocate with local and national stakeholders as to why our work is so important. Some of our most passionate supporters include Bill and Melinda Gates, Colin Powell and even the late great Michael Jackson who has an endowed scholarship in his name.

I love working at UNCF because I truly believe in our mission and am beyond proud of our legacy.  America is on track to be a minority majority country by 2020 and it is imperative that we educate our growing minority workforce so that we can compete globally as a nation. Being the first person to graduate from college in my family, I have seen first-hand the impact a college degree can have. I received assistance from UNCF to attend OSU and will be forever grateful for the support.

Q:           How long have you been an AFP member, and what has your involvement been?

A:           I have been a member of AFP since 2006. In that time I have served on the scholarship committee, participated as a mentee in the mentor program and led a course on marketing during the Fundraising Fundamentals seminar.

Q:           What do you consider the most valuable part of your AFP membership?

A:           I love the people at AFP. Although working in a small shop and covering a vast territory, (Ohio and Kentucky) makes it hard to get away for lunch sometimes, whenever I am available to join an education session I have a great time, I learn a lot and enjoy bouncing ideas off of my fellow fundraising peers.

Q:           How long have you been in fundraising, and how did you get into it?       

A:           I started fundraising at United Way of Central Ohio in 2005 under the leadership of Angel Towns and Janet Jackson. Before that I worked at The Girl Scouts and would watch then VP of Development Tammy Wharton (now their CEO) bring donors and guests through the organization. I was younger then, and had just left a high profile job in sales for a Fortune 500 company. I was fascinated that Tammy had the privilege of sharing all the good work happening at the organization with the community. I was immediately hooked on development and have been doing the work ever since. We are more fortunate than we realize sometimes.  We are the people who get the great honor of sharing the sacred stories of those we serve with others. We are a vessel for change and I feel blessed by that, nearly every day.

Q:           What is your favorite part about living/working in Columbus? Favorite Restaurant?

A:           Columbus is a great city full of innovation. We are a clean, caring community invested in big ideas. My favorite thing about Columbus is that we are family friendly and the traffic is easy to navigate. I try to travel often and am always happy to come home to Columbus.

Q:           Tell us a fun fact about you that other AFP members wouldn’t know.

A:           A fun fact is that before I moved to nonprofit work I worked in the music industry. I helped to launch amazing artists like Alicia Keys and Pink in the early part of 2000 but left when a little company called Napster started to change the way people purchased (or pirated) music. I saw the writing on the wall and left before the music business changed forever. That was an important lesson and taught me that I could trust my instinct.

Posted: February 2017

Brian Canavan

Vice President, Development

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio

Q:           Tell us a little about your organization. Mission? Population you serve? What do you like most about working there?   

A:           For nearly three decades, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio has transformed the lives of over 360 Central Ohioans by providing a pathway to empowerment for people to achieve, or save the dream of homeownership.  Its programs provide the successful model of offering a hand-up approach rather than a hand-out by utilizing sweat equity, financial education, and homeownership skills training.  Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio is currently embarking on their Habitat Housing Initiative – this effort will allow Habitat to go from serving about 30 families a year to over 140! We will be focusing on transforming the Linden, Southside, and Newark areas over the next 5 years.

I love working at Habitat because of the people. Getting to see someone transform their life and provide a safe home for their family is as fulfilling as it gets.

Q:           How long have you been an AFP member, and what has your involvement been?

A:           I joined AFP in 2010 and have served AFP in different capacities including treasurer, Job Bank Chair, and serving as a Mentor.

Q:           What do you consider the most valuable part of your AFP membership?

A:           The network of people and sharing of ideas. AFP is always inspiring with so many great organizations and people! Also the International Conference was an amazing experience, I was awarded the Chamberlain Scholarship to attend the conference and it really was inspiring.

Q:           How long have you been in fundraising, and how did you get into it?       

A:           I have been blessed to be in fundraising for about 9 years. I fell into the profession after getting my MBA and working in Corporate Partnerships for various professional collegiate sports teams. I was burnt out and was able to transition my skill set to make a difference with great organizations. 

Q:           What is your favorite part about living/working in Columbus? Favorite Restaurant?

A:           I came to Columbus for my undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and met my wife there. We fell in love with Columbus and after moving around a bit came back in 2010. We love that Columbus is the best of both worlds being small enough to get around without much hassle but also having great restaurants, bars, and culture. We live in Delaware so I will have to give a shout  out to all of the amazing bars and restaurants that have come to Delaware – more specifically 1808 has amazing food and craft beers. 

Q:           Tell us a fun fact about you that other AFP members wouldn’t know.

A:           I live in Delaware with my wife Megan, my 2 year old daughter Maggie, and two dogs. Additionally, I am an avid Hockey Player and fan and have been playing Ice Hockey since I was three. The Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins are my favorite teams as I have worked at both organizations. I have used my passion for hockey to fundraise as well, starting the Hockey Beats Down Cancer Tournament raising money for the American Cancer Society, and am starting the 24 Hours of Hockey for Habitat event to raise money for affordable housing.

Posted: January 2017