Volunteering: The Engine That Moves Our Profession Forward
Posted by [email protected] on May. 27, 2026 / Membership & Spotlights / Subscribe 0
Author: Kristen Brooks | AFP-GPC Volunteer Coordinator and Board Member | Director of Volunteer Leadership Strategy at Haverford College
If you’ve spent any time in fundraising, you already know this truth: nothing meaningful happens without people showing up. Volunteering isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s how organizations grow, how ideas turn into action, and how communities such as AFP-GPC sustain themselves over time.
That’s especially true for AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter (AFP-GPC). At its core, AFP-GPC is a 100% volunteer-driven organization. Every program, event, and initiative you benefit from exists because someone stepped forward and said, “I’ll help!”
And here’s the reality: we can’t do what we do, and be successful, without you.
Why Volunteering Matters For You
Volunteering within AFP-GPC isn’t just about giving back; it’s one of the smartest professional moves you can make. I am a testament to that!
First, it’s a built-in career builder. You’re gaining leadership experience, expanding your network, and developing skills that directly translate to your day-to-day work in advancement. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned professional, volunteering adds depth and dimension to your professional (and I’d even say personal) story.
Second, it’s genuinely enjoyable. This isn’t transactional work, it’s energizing. You’re surrounded by people who understand your world, your challenges, your wins, and even your losses. These are like-minded professionals who care deeply about fundraising and the impact it creates on the Great Philadelphia community.
More importantly, AFP-GPC is an amazing community in itself. And in a profession that can sometimes feel isolating, overwhelming, and flat-out exhausting, having a group of peers - no matter where they are in their career - to turn to is invaluable to the longevity of your career in fundraising. Whether you’re navigating a tough donor conversation, thinking through strategy, celebrating a milestone, experiencing a loss of a beloved volunteer, or having the best ROI on an event you have ever had, you’re not doing it alone.
And let’s not ignore the visibility factor. Volunteering increases your presence within the Greater Philadelphia fundraising community. It puts you in rooms (and conversations) you might not otherwise be part of. Over time, that visibility builds credibility that can ultimately lead to opening doors.
What Volunteering Can Look Like
One of the best parts? There’s no single way to get involved.
As a member of AFP-GPC, you can start small by volunteering at an event such as Leading Philanthropy (LP) on September 23, 2026 at Drexelbrook or National Philanthropy Day (NPD) on November 19, 2026. As an attendee of the conference or NPD, you can help with logistics, greet attendees, or support programming. It’s a great entry point and a quick way to meet people.
If you’re ready to go deeper, consider joining a committee. This is where you can contribute more strategically, help shape initiatives, and build stronger relationships with peers. Currently, we have over 10 different committees you can join. You can choose to work on a committee in your current field, or try something new!
For those looking to take on leadership roles, board service offers the opportunity to influence the direction of the AFP-GPC chapter and the profession locally. It’s meaningful work—and incredibly rewarding. Check out our current Board of Directors and connect with them at an event.
No matter your skill set, years of experience, your area of expertise, and/or your availability, we want you to volunteer for AFP-GPC!
The Opportunity Is There- Now It’s Your Move
Here’s the bottom line: the opportunities are there. The only question is whether you’ll take advantage of them.
If you’re curious, start by having a conversation. Talk to me about what volunteering with AFP-GPC could look like for you. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; we can find something that aligns with your interests, your industry, your schedule, and your goals. Contact me at [email protected].
If you prefer a more structured entry point, complete this simple interest form that I use to help match members with opportunities. I promise you that your email will not go unnoticed. I will respond! After you complete the form, I will reach out and have a real conversation about how you want to engage.
Here’s the truth: this profession is built on relationships. And AFP-GPC is here to remind you that you are not in this alone in this fundraising journey. Whether you’re entry-level, mid-career, or a senior leader, there is a place for you to contribute and to grow.
At the end of the day, purpose matters. Volunteering is what keeps us motivated, connected, and moving forward. It brings that purpose into sharper focus. So don’t leave your future to chance. Ground your fundraising career in community, stretch yourself in new ways, and give back to the profession that gives so much.
Get involved. Show up. And watch what happens next!
A Personal Perspective
Throughout my career in Philadelphia, I have participated in AFP-GPC intermittently, but it never stuck. As I moved through various fundraising and stewardship roles, I often gravitated toward CASE or leaned on colleagues for expertise.
That changed when I stepped into a Director of Development role at Peter’s Place, a grieving center for children. After leaving a seven-year tenure at a local independent school, where I managed a team of 14, I was energized by the idea of being a one-person shop and making my own mark.
But that independence came with an unexpected reality: isolation. While NACG (a network of grieving centers) provided strong industry-specific support, development guidance was limited. I needed my people, the ones who understood fundraising at its core.
So I turned to AFP-GPC for one more try. And here’s the punchline: I never left. That was in 2018.
Since then, AFP-GPC has become a second home, both professionally and personally. What started as committee involvement has grown into board service. Along the way, I’ve helped lead events, supported fellow fundraisers in their career journeys, connected volunteers to meaningful roles, collaborated with some of the most talented professionals in the region, and built relationships that have turned into real friendships.
Belonging to AFP-GPC hasn’t just supported my career, it’s expanded it in ways I didn’t expect.
Getting started is easy. But fair warning: once you’re in, you may be like me and never leave.
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