AFP Affinity Group Creates Web Page for
GLBT Fundraisers and Donors

AFP is now hosting a web page - http://www.afpnet.org/GLBT - developed by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) affinity group active through AFP’s diversity program. Through its strategic plan, AFP is committed to increasing diversity and fostering inclusion in the profession. This online opportunity is available to affinity groups that have the interest in creating this resource.

The new AFP GLBT page offers AFP members resources and information related to GLBT funders and donors and consists of four main sections: GLBT community (including a new GLBT blog), GLBT articles/resources, GLBT funders and a GLBT mentors program.

“We are hoping that any and all AFP members will find this site beneficial to their efforts in reaching GLBT donor prospects and in finding funding sources from GLBT-friendly foundations and organizations,” says Jim McBride, director of development at ALRP in San Francisco and member of the AFP Diverse Communities in Fundraising Task Force. “Additionally, GLBT AFP members will find the community section a great place to interact, network and communicate.”

AFP members are encouraged to help keep the site content current by sending in articles, website links, surveys, presentations, funder information/links and other relevant content. Instructions for posting to the site are found in each section.

“This AFP GLBT subsite is the first of what we hope will be many diverse community subsites,” McBride adds. “Any AFP diverse community with at least 100 members is eligible to create a subsite at www.afpnet.org. Current AFP diverse communities include African-American, Asian, faith-based, GLBT, Hispanic, Jewish and rural.”

Getting Involved

“When I decided to transition mid-career from the corporate to the nonprofit sector, one of the first things I did was join AFP,” says Thomas Negron, senior manager, corporate relations, United Way of New York City and writer for the GLBT blog. “It seemed a great way to start learning about what it means to be a fundraiser. When I helped search for articles and websites that would be of GLBT interest, I was surprised to learn there was not a lot of information readily available. Our hope is that, by bringing together everything in one place, we'll create a foundation for the membership to build upon by contributing additional resources.”

“One aspect in particular I'm excited about is the potential to connect people for mentoring,” Negron adds. “AFP already offers mentoring through the chapters, but I think partnering with someone with firsthand knowledge of the discrimination GLBT individuals face will add another dimension to the relationship.”

“I personally want to thank AFP for its responsiveness, flexibility and support of diverse AFP members and affinity groups, and for its professionalism and efficiency in getting this first diverse community subsite up and running,” McBride says. “Additional thanks go to Thomas Negron and the members of the AFP Diverse Communities in Fundraising Task Force for their contributions and support.”

The GLBT web page can be found at http://www.afpnet.org/GLBT or by going to www.afpnet.org and clicking on “Diversity” under the “About AFP” tab.

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