Scholarship Programs
Our scholarships provide opportunities for current members and prospective members to enhance their professional development and become more engaged with AFP – locally and globally. We encourage you to apply and recruit fellow colleagues to consider how a scholarship might benefit their career. Past AFP scholarship recipients acknowledge the value of our scholarship program and encourage others to apply.
Tiffany Priest, 2024 Scholarships & Collegiate Chapter Chair
AFP Global Conferences:
ICON
International Conference in April
Applications accepted November 1 – January 15
AFP International Conference (ICON) is an annual event and is the #1 fundraising conference in the world. Open to all current AFP Central Ohio members who meet the criteria of the specific scholarship for which the applicant is applying. The committee will consider a number of criteria including applicants’ need and involvement in the chapter when awarding. Members who have received a scholarship to attend the AFP international Conference (ICON) in the previous three years are not eligible to apply. The Chamberlain Scholarship recipient will be provided a special registration link for 2025 ICON Conference; all other AFP ICON scholarships will be paid via reimbursement to the individual or the individual’s organization.
Chamberlain Scholar-
Full registration fees covered by AFP Global
Travel costs (hotel, flights or mileage, meals) reimbursed by Central Ohio AFP up to $1,500
To qualify:
- Candidate must be a member in good standing.
- Candidate has never attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising as a registered participant.
- Candidate is employed as a fundraising professional or, if the candidate is an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising.
- Candidate must agree to complete an online evaluation form about their experience at AFP ICON.
- Candidate must be willing to share their AFP ICON experience with the chapter after the conference has concluded.
Emerging –
Up to $1,500 to offset the cost of travel or registration to an AFP member and development professional with less than five years of development experience.
Attendance –
Up to $1,500 to offset the cost of travel or registration to an AFP member in good standing.
LEAD
International Conference in October
Applications accepted June 1 – September 20
AFP LEAD is AFP’s annual leadership development conference, focused on equipping both emerging and experienced leaders with the latest and greatest skills essential to being an effective leader in the nonprofit fundraising sector. One scholarship will be awarded yearly to cover the cost of registration and travel (valued at up to $2,500). Open to current Central Ohio AFP’s Board and Committee Members.
Local Chapter Professional Development Opportunities:
AFP Membership
Membership scholarships are awarded twice a year. Scholarships are reimbursable up to $345 or current individual membership fee.
IDEA Scholarship –
Seeks to engage underrepresented voices in the nonprofit fundraising community, including those from underrepresented communities, the LGBTQ+ community, and emerging fundraisers. Applicants do not need to be AFP members.
New Member –
Seeks to engage emerging leaders in the fundraising community who are not currently members of AFP.
Continuing (Formerly Welcome Back)–
This scholarship is available to anyone whose AFP membership is eligible for renewal in the upcoming quarter. When paying membership dues through AFP Global, applicants are responsible for choosing the appropriate membership category. Applicants must be current members.
Scholarships awarded on a biannual basis (March 15 and September 1)
Fundamentals of Fundraising
The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course offers a complete overview of the development function, featuring the most current information and techniques for individuals with 0 to 4 years of fundraising experience. This intensive 16-hour program is held over multiple days and is approved for 16 CFRE points! Scholarships are available for up to the full cost of registration for current AFP members, and up to half of the cost of registration for non-AFP members.
Apply by April 1. Course held annually in April/May.
CFRE Application/Exam Fee
The CFRE application/exam fee scholarship covers up to 50% of the application/exam fee and is open to members who are pursuing their initial and renewal CFRE certification.
Scholarships follow CFRE quarterly testing schedule. Applications due by January 20, April 15, July 15 and October 1.
Other Educational Opportunities
Members may apply for a scholarship to attend an educational session put on by AFP Central Ohio, AFP Global, COPGC/PPP, CASE or the University of Indiana School of Fundraising. Recipients will be reimbursed for 50% of the registration fee up to $400 after providing proof of registration. Please note this is for registration only and does not include any other expenses associated with the course.
Scholarships awarded on a biannual basis (March 15 and September 1).
For questions about any of the scholarship opportunities please contact the Scholarships & Collegiate Chapter Chair at [email protected].
| Central Ohio AFP Scholarship | Application Opens | Deadline |
| ICON | November 1 | January 15 |
| CFRE Application/Exam Fee | Ongoing* | January 20 |
| IDEA, New Member, Continuing & Other Educational Opportunities | Ongoing* | March 15 |
| Fundamentals of Fundraising | February 1 | March 15 |
| CFRE Application/Exam Fee | Ongoing* | April 15 |
| CFRE Application/Exam Fee | Ongoing* | July 15 |
| LEAD | June 1 | August 1 |
| IDEA, New Member, Continuing & Other Educational Opportunities | Ongoing* | September 1 |
| CFRE Application/Exam Fee | Ongoing* | October 1 |
| ICON | November 1 | January 15 |
*Applicants submitting for CFRE, AFP Membership, and other educational opportunities will be considered on a rolling basis. If applications are submitted after the deadline, your application will be considered for the next scholarship deadline. For example, if you are submitting for an AFP Membership or another educational opportunity from March 2 – August 30 you will be considered in the September 1 application pool. Or, if you submit your application on April 30 for the CFRE, you will be considered in the July 15 deadline application pool since those decisions are made on a quarterly basis.
For questions about any of the scholarship opportunities please contact this year’s Scholarships & Collegiate Chapter Chair at [email protected].
FAQs
Welcome Back Membership Scholarship:
- Who is able to apply? Those who previously had an active annual AFP membership that has expired 30 days or more at time of applying. Your past AFP membership does not have to have been exclusively associated with the AFP of Central Ohio chapter. For inquiries about opportunities for new members, please contact Scholarship Chair, Jennifer MacCartney.
- Are consultants able to apply? Yes, if the consultant meets the criteria for AFP membership and has a membership that has been expired 30 days or more at time of applying.
- How is the scholarship awarded? The Welcome Back membership scholarship is awarded as a reimbursement for the full costs of association and chapter dues combined. Scholarship recipients must apply and pay membership dues before receiving reimbursement. When paying for membership through AFP Global, applicants are responsible for choosing the appropriate membership category (i.e. professional, retired, young, associate, and small nonprofit.) A reimbursement form will be provided to the final scholarship recipients. The form and proof of membership purchase must then be submitted to the AFP treasurer to receive reimbursement.
- Do I have any requirements for accepting the scholarship? Yes, all scholarship recipients are required to serve on a Central Ohio AFP committee between January 2023 and December 2023. (Recipients may opt to begin serving in 2023, if they so desire but must stay active through December 2024.)
2024 AFP International Conference (ICON) Scholarship:
Open to all current members of the Central Ohio AFP chapter who meet the criteria of the specific scholarship for which the applicant is applying (Chamberlain, Emerging Scholar or Attendance Scholarship). The committee will consider a number of criteria including applicants’ need and involvement in the chapter when awarding. Members who have received a scholarship to attend the AFP international Conference (ICON) in the previous three years are not eligible to apply. All scholarships are funded as reimbursements. The Chamberlain Scholarship recipient will be provided a special registration link for 2024 ICON Conference.
Fundamentals of Fundraising Registration Scholarship:
- Who is able to apply? All current members of the Central Ohio AFP chapter as well as non-Central Ohio AFP members are invited to apply. Full and half tuition scholarships are available for AFP members and half tuition scholarships are available for non-members. The committee will consider a number of criteria including applicants’ need and involvement in the chapter when awarding.
- Are consultants able to apply? Yes.
- How is the scholarship awarded? The Fundamentals of Fundraising Scholarships are reimbursement scholarships. Full tuition and half tuition reimbursements will be provided for the 2022 Fundamentals of Fundraising Course hosted by Central Ohio AFP. (Note: Only AFP members are eligible for full tuition scholarships.) There is no reimbursement for any other fees or expenses associated with the course.
- Can I apply for other scholarships when I apply for this scholarship? Yes, however, the committee will take into consideration other scholarships you have received in the past.
- Do I have any requirements for accepting the scholarship? Yes, recipients are expected to fully participate in the course and are required to serve on a Central Ohio AFP committee for a one year period.
CFRE Application/Exam Fee Scholarship:
- Are consultants able to apply? Yes, if the consultant is a current member of AFP of Central Ohio.
- How is the scholarship awarded? The CFRE application/exam fee scholarship is a reimbursement scholarship. The reimbursement covers up to 50% of the application/exam fee plus the administrative fee. A reimbursement form will be provided to the final scholarship recipients. The form and proof of registration, payment, and completed exam before receiving reimbursement.
- Do I have to take the exam in 2023 to receive the reimbursement? Yes.
- Do I have to pass the exam to receive the reimbursement? No.
- Can I apply for this scholarship to cover application fees for renewals or a subsequent attempt to pass the exam? This scholarship does not cover renewal application fees. Members may only apply for the scholarship if working on initial certification.
- Can I apply for other scholarships when I apply for this scholarship? Yes, however, the committee will take into consideration other scholarships you have applied for through our chapter.
- Do I have any requirements for accepting the scholarship? Yes, all scholarship recipients are required to serve on a Central Ohio AFP committee between January 2024 and December 2024. (Recipients may opt to begin serving in 2023, if they so desire but must stay active through December 2024.)
LEAD Scholarship:
- Who is able to apply? Current AFP members.
- Are consultants able to apply? Yes, if the consultant meets the criteria for AFP membership and has a membership that has been expired 30 days or more at time of applying.
- How is the scholarship awarded? The LEAD scholarship is awarded as a reimbursement for the full cost of registration for LEAD. Scholarship recipients must apply and register before receiving reimbursement. A form and proof registration must then be submitted to the AFP treasurer to receive reimbursement.
Other Educational Opportunities Scholarships:
- Who is able to apply? All current members of the Central Ohio AFP chapter. The committee will consider a number of criteria including applicants’ need and involvement in the chapter when awarding.
- Are consultants able to apply? Yes.
- How is the scholarship awarded? The educational opportunities scholarships are reimbursement scholarships. Recipients will be reimbursed for 50% of the registration fee up to $400 after providing proof of registration. Recipients are expected to attend the session. There is no reimbursement for any other fees or expenses associated with the course.
- Which courses qualify? The committee will not be vetting the educational courses applicants propose. Applicants may apply for this scholarship to attend a session put on by AFP, COPGC/PPP, CASE, University of Indiana School of Fundraising, and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. As part of the application, applicants will provide a link to information or the course brochure.
- Can I apply for other scholarships when I apply for this scholarship? Yes, however, the committee will take into consideration other scholarships you have received in the past.
- Do I have any requirements for accepting the scholarship? Yes, recipients are expected to fully participate in the proposed educational program and are required to serve on a Central Ohio AFP committee for a one year period.
- I am a consultant. Who should write my recommendation letter? A principal from your consulting firm, a client, an AFP Board member or the chair of the AFP committee you are serving on.
Scholarships & Collegiate Chapter Chair
Tiffany Priest, MPA
Philanthropy Officer - Lutheran Social Services
Learn More
Position Title: Scholarship Chair Capacity: Board Member Reports to: Vice President of Professional Development Key Responsibilities: