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Association of Fundraising Professionals
Greater Atlanta Chapter
Diversity Fellows Program - 2009
The Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is pleased to announce our 2009 Diversity Fellows Program.
Chapter’s History of Diversity
Since its inception in 1967, the Greater Atlanta Chapter of AFP has initiated both informal and formal diversity initiatives. In its early years, individual members with an interest in engaging minority nonprofit fundraisers worked to present the Chapter as a welcoming professional organization. In recent years, the Chapter has become increasingly more committed to inclusiveness; diversity activities have been elevated to the position of Vice President on the Board of Directors and the Chapter has established a working, fully-staffed Committee on Diversity. Furthermore, the Chapter has sought to improve its approaches to addressing diversity in programming by visiting with and securing information from other chapters in the AFP network that have been successful in attracting and keeping representative numbers of minority members.
Despite these laudable efforts, the Greater Atlanta Chapter of AFP feels it has yet to become an organization where diversity is truly visible, celebrated, and appreciated. Specifically, the Chapter aims to improve its effectiveness in attracting and sustaining representative numbers of minority members and participants. It is this commitment that led the Chapter to launch the Diversity Fellows Program (with generous support from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta) in 2007. The first two years of the Program have been a rousing success. A total of 10 Fellows have been engaged in a full calendar of activities that have contributed to their growth as professionals and encouraged their involvement in the Chapter. As the second class of Fellows nears its graduation, the Chapter is eager to continue this important initiative.
Program Objectives
The 2009 Diversity Fellows Program will continue to serve as an outreach initiative of the Greater Atlanta Chapter by providing opportunities for inclusion in the chapter’s membership to minority populations. The Diversity Fellows Program is intended to:
• Increase awareness of the mutual benefits of diversity and inclusion for Chapter members;
• Offer guidance to minority fundraising professionals in achieving their career objectives and;
• Provide networking and professional development opportunities to minority fundraising professionals.
Program Timeline
The 2009 Diversity Fellows Program will run from January 2009 to December 2009. The Program will accept five (5) Fellows. All Fellows and Mentors will be required to attend an orientation dinner in December. The orientation date will be included in all acceptance letters.
Fellow Eligibility
• Applicants must be Fundraising Professionals with at least 2 years of experience, but no more than 5 years
• Applicants must be in full time staff positions with substantial responsibility for fundraising
• Applicants must be representative of minority populations in the profession and in the Greater Atlanta AFP Chapter, as determined by the Greater Atlanta Chapter Program Committee
• Applicants must agree to participate in a Fellow Alumni Program upon completion of their term
• Applicants must be currently employed with an organization whose budget is between $250,000-$5,000,000
• Applicants must have written support from direct supervisor
• Applicants must complete an application to be considered
• Applicants’ organization must agree to cover 25% of the cost of AFP membership ($62.50)
Fellow Requirements
• Participants must serve on at least one committee within the Greater Atlanta Chapter
• Participants must serve as volunteers (if necessary) at AFP events
• Participants must submit a monthly activity report to the Diversity Committee
• Participants must agree to participate in all required activities, unless excused by the Diversity Committee**
**Professional Development Programs are planned through out the year for AFP Diversity Fellows. Fellows who miss three consecutive programs are subject to be replaced by an alternate Fellow.
Fellow Benefits
• Participants will receive complimentary admission to monthly breakfast programs
• Participants will receive a complimentary seat at the 2009 National Philanthropy Day
• Participants will receive complimentary attendance at the AFP International Conference (Fellows Program will cover registration, room and board, and airfare)
• Participants may be recognized in the chapter membership newsletter, National Philanthropy Day and in press releases
• Participants will be paired with a team of Mentors: at least one AFP member who is senior development professional and one AFP Diversity Committee Member
• Participants will receive valuable training and professional development opportunities program activities and other AFP events
• Participants will have opportunities to interact with the committee and other Fellows at quarterly luncheons
Fellow Application
Mentor Component
Mentoring is an extremely important way to support increased opportunities for emerging professionals, encouraging reflection, learning, visioning, goal setting and accountability. This relationship is mutually beneficially; the experiences causes mentors to reflect on their own careers and feel validated as talented professionals. A strong relationship between the Mentor and the Fellow is integral to the objectives of the Diversity Fellows Program. The Program strives to provide a structured and trusting relationship in which a novice professional fundraiser (the Fellow) is matched with a seasoned fundraising professional (the Mentor) who will offer advise, support and guidance in career development.
“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have several highly-respected, senior professionals with whom I could share ideas and seek advice informally from time to time. Their guidance has proven invaluable and has helped me to be a better development professional and a more successful leader. The AFP Diversity Fellows Program will do the same thing for five aspiring fundraising professionals.”
--Dave Pass, 2007 Mentor and AFP-Atlanta Chapter’s President Elect
Mentor Eligibility
• Mentor applicants must be Fundraising Professionals with 7 + years of experience.
• Applicants must be active Fundraising Professionals or Consultants
• Applicants must be current AFP members
Mentor Requirements
• Mentors must agree to participate in group activities and attend meetings with the Fellows
• Mentors must agree to arrange at least one face-to-face meeting with their Mentor each month of the Program
• Mentors must agree to remain active with the Fellows through the Program year by initiating phone calls, sending emails and general follow up
• Mentors may be asked to lead a workshop or serve as a speaker for the Fellows at group gatherings
• Mentors will be asked to submit a year-end report upon completion of the program
• If necessary, Mentors may assume small financial costs associated with the mentor role
• Mentors will be required to attend mandatory orientation in January 2009
Mentor Benefits
• Mentors may be recognized in the chapter membership newsletter, National Philanthropy Day and in press releases
• Mentors will have an opportunity to help shape leaders for AFP and for the Development Profession
Application Process
All Applications will be accepted between October 21, 2008 – November 21, 2008.
All Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2008.
Fellow Applicants will be required to complete an application packet, which will include three (3) essay questions, a resume, and 2 letters of support (one from direct supervisor).
Mentor Applicants will be required to complete an application, which will include three (3) essay questions and a resume.
Applications will be reviewed by the Diversity Committee.
Applicants will be notified by December 5, 2008.
All 2009 Diversity Fellows and Mentors selected should plan to attend an invitation only AFP Diversity Fellows/Mentors Welcome Dinner on Thursday, December 11, 2008.
Mentor Application
Program Management
The Diversity Fellows Program will be managed by the Diversity Committee.
Association of Fundraising Professionals
2008-2009 Diversity Committee
Greater Atlanta Chapter
Tina Jones Dantzler, AFP VP Diversity
Independent Consultant
JD Consulting
tmjdantzler@aol.com
Quisa Foster Witttingham, Co-Chair
College Relations Director
The Tom Joyner Foundation
qfwittingham@bellsouth.net
Dianne Thomas, 2008 Diversity Summit Chair
Ankhasha Enterprises, LLC
ankhashaenterprises@comcast.net
Christal Cherry, Co-Chair
National Director, Groups & Alumni Development
United Negro College Fund
christal.cherry@uncf.org
Shana Chance
Director of Development
21st Century Leaders
shana@21stcenturyleaders.org
Pamela Ware Brooks
Development Services Manager
Emory University
pwbrook@emory.edu
Quanda M. Allen,
Philanthropic Relationship Manager
Bank of America
quanda.allen@bankofamerica.com
Jeanette Burroughs
Director of Development and Communications
Georgia Legal Services Program, Inc.
jburroughs@glsp.org
Audrey L. Jacobs, JD.
Director, The Center for Family Philanthropy
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
ajacobs@atlcf.org
Charles R. Stephens
Managing Partner
Skystone Ryan, Inc.
charlesrstephens@att.net | 
