Honing Donor/Prospect Engagement Skills Through Service on AFP-GPC’s Sponsorship Committee
Posted by [email protected] on Sep. 22, 2021 / Subscribe 0
Kelly E. Grattan, PhD, MBA, CFRE
Vice President, External Affairs, AFP-GPC
You may think that, from the very title of this blog post, I’m trying to convince AFP-GPC members and non-members alike to join AFP-GPC’s Sponsorship Committee, and you’d be right! Service on one of our chapter’s many committees is a great way to volunteer your time, build your network, and engage with like-minded, high-performing individuals in the field. Sure, there are other committees that – while no less robust, productive, or critical to our very existence – do not come with the same responsibility to engage supporters and prospects that we have in our “day jobs,” but as fundraisers, engagement of key stakeholders is our jam!
We, as development professionals, come to AFP with a unique skillset that includes understanding motivations to support a certain cause, building relationships with individuals and institutions around those motivations, and stewarding and recognizing those supporters. So, what better way to further develop that skillset than working with a great team to secure critical support for your local AFP-GPC chapter?
The AFP-GPC Sponsorship Committee has given me the opportunity to work with a smart and strategic team of experienced executive fundraisers. The collective brainpower is both energizing and inspiring. Together, we come up with creative solutions that I have shared in my day-to-day activities that makes me look like a hero! It is a win-win investment of my time and expertise. – Marge King, InfoRich Group
As someone who has served on the Sponsorship Committee for a few years now, I know the value of this volunteer service to my own professional development, particularly in my “day job” as a development consultant working with organizations on their mid-level, major gift, and institutional giving programs. I’m practicing my relationship-building skills on a regular basis and in a relatively low-stake environment. My confidence has grown exponentially, especially when I partner with fellow Committee members to secure new sponsorships, learning from those more experienced than I, feeding off their energy, and collectively celebrating our successes. Every “win” means our chapter can provide member benefits at lower costs, bring in more renowned experts as part of our educational programming, offer more scholarships, and more… and I had a small part in that! The “ask” is easy, but the impact on my development as a fundraising professional has been incredible.
My service on this committee, and every committee I have had the opportunity to serve on as a member of AFP-GPC, has been bother personally and professionally fulfilling. I have been able to develop as strong network of advancement professionals who have helped me strengthen my skillset, increased my enthusiasm for my profession, and have become good friends. – Kevin Quinn, Quinn Strategic Advancement
Have I convinced you to reach out to Doris, Kevin, Marge, or myself to see if volunteering on the AFP-GPC Sponsorship Committee might be the right fit for you? We’re happy to chat anytime about this great opportunity to get more involved with our AFP chapter!
Kelly Grattan
[email protected]
Doris Parent
[email protected]
Kevin Quinn
[email protected]
Marge King
[email protected]
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