Central Ohio AFP offers a variety of educational opportunities throughout the year.  Sessions are planned by the Education Committee and are typically held the second Tuesday of each month as breakfast, lunch, or happy hour meetings.  These learning opportunities for fundraising professionals cover a wide variety of topics to benefit the range of our membership—including those new to the profession or considering a career in fundraising, as well as mid-career and seasoned professionals.

Guest speakers are identified locally, regionally, and nationally to present on a wide range of topics.  Care is taken to ensure content is relevant to both large and small development shops across a wide range of industries.  In addition to the educational components of the luncheons, monthly educational sessions provide valuable networking time with colleagues.  Additional workshops and events may also be offered throughout the year in collaboration with other AFP committees or professional associations.

Educational offerings include:

  • General Monthly Session – Usually a luncheon, these regular presentations always include time for Q&A
  • Pre-Lunch Session – Additional topics may be offered before a general luncheon in a given month. These sessions are for members only and are free with lunch reservation.
  • Speaker Series – a more in-depth presentation involving a special speaker or national expert
  • Brown-Bag Series – offered for free or reduced cost, members & guests are invited to bring a sack lunch
  • Cocktails and Calamities Happy Hour – this annual summertime tradition features fundraising horror stories from local AFP colleagues and the lessons they learned. And cocktails, of course!
  • Book Club – Join colleagues in reading and discussing best practices from nationally renowned authors

Attendees are surveyed following each educational program to receive feedback on presenter, topic, and location.  Suggestions through these surveys lay the groundwork for future programming.

The AFP Education Committee is made up of member volunteers and welcomes your participation as it strives to provide programs that are timely and relevant, and meet the needs of the membership.

For questions about current or future programming, contact this year’s Educations Co-Chairs.

Registration for each event will be added to the website about one month before the event takes place. An email will also be sent to our mailing list announcing registration so you will know when to register!

Upcoming Events

April 25th, 2023 | TBA

More than a Zoom Box: Creativity in the Donor Cycle through COVID-19 and Beyond | April Continuing Education Program

In this interactive conversation, we explore ways in which the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center quickly pivoted our cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, discuss examples from peers, and share takeaways for the future. Welcome input and examples from other organizations who also pivoted.

May 9th, 2023 | TBA

Inter-chapter Fellowship Happy Hour | May Continuing Education Program

Join us for an inter-chapter fellowship happy hour in May to network and learn from our peers from another AFP chapter in Ohio! More details to follow.

June 6th, 2023 | TBA

What Inspires Big Gifts? Big Ideas | June Continuing Education Program

July 11th, 2023 | TBA

Cocktails & Calamities | July Continuing Education Program

August 8th, 2023 | TBA

Boundaries: Boondoggles & Booyahs | August Continuing Education Program

September 12th, 2023 | TBA

IDEA Committee Lecture | September Continuing Education Program

October 10th, 2023 | TBA

Joint Event with the Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio | October Continuing Education Program

October 24th, 2023 | TBA

Networking | October Event

Monthly Education Programs Chair

Michael Haddock (he/him/his)

Director of Alumni Relations - Columbus Academy

Contact Me

614-688-1363


Position Title:Monthly Education Programs Chair

Capacity: Board Member

Reports to: Vice President of Professional Development

Key Responsibilities:

  • Organizes and chairs committee meetings
  • Recruits and enlists committee members; monitors the work of volunteers to ensure timely completion of assignments
  • With committee, ensures all Chapter education programs are planned and executed
  • Works with the Vice President of Professional Development to ensure that each educational session is well coordinated and well communicated with a focus on securing and coordinating venues, catering, AV and communications to membership
  • Applies to CFRE International to ensure that Chapter education programs qualify for CEUs
  • Works with Chapter Administrator and Marketing Chair to send out program notices
  • Sends evaluation questions to Chapter Administrator before each program
  • Maintains program records including description, attendance and summary of evaluations
  • Develops and submits a budget to the Treasurer by designated deadline; monitors committee income and expenditures
  • Provides timely and up-to-date content to Chapter Administrator and Marketing Chair for website and digital publications
  • Works to successfully achieve goals outlined in Chapter Strategic Plan
  • Ensures there is a succession plan to cultivate a new chair to take his/her place as needed
  • Celebrates success; ensures that celebration includes expressions of gratitude to volunteers
  • Adheres to policies and Board responsibilities as adopted by the Board of Directors
  • Upon leaving office, transfers all records to successor
Education Chair-Elect

Hardy Kern

Director of Government Relations - American Bird Conservancy

Contact Me

412-337-4673


Position Title: Education Programs Chair and Chair Elect

Capacity: Board Member

Reports to: Vice President of Professional Development

Key Responsibilities:

  • Organizes and chairs committee meetings
  • Recruits and enlists committee members; monitors the work of volunteers to ensure timely completion of assignments
  • With committee, ensures all Chapter education programs are planned and executed
  • Works with the Vice President of Professional Development to ensure that each educational session is well coordinated and well communicated with a focus on securing and coordinating venues, catering, AV and communications to membership
  • Applies to CFRE International to ensure that Chapter education programs qualify for CEUs
  • Works with Chapter Administrator and Marketing Chair to send out program notices
  • Sends evaluation questions to Chapter Administrator before each program
  • Maintains program records including description, attendance and summary of evaluations
  • Develops and submits a budget to the Treasurer by designated deadline; monitors committee income and expenditures
  • Provides timely and up-to-date content to Chapter Administrator and Marketing Chair for website and digital publications
  • Works to successfully achieve goals outlined in Chapter Strategic Plan
  • Ensures there is a succession plan to cultivate a new chair to take his/her place as needed
  • Celebrates success; ensures that celebration includes expressions of gratitude to volunteers
  • Adheres to policies and Board responsibilities as adopted by the Board of Directors
  • Upon leaving office, transfers all records to successor