Annually, AFP sends a chapter-nominated Chamberlain Scholar to the AFP International Conference. The nominee must be a fundraiser who has never attended an AFP or NSFRE conference. The scholar pays $10 toward the event and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy pays the $500 scholarship directly to the conference registration account. See below for additional scholarship funds available through AFP-West Michigan to help with travel, food and lodging expenses.

Sponsored by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, the Chamberlain Scholarship honors the memory of Ralph E. Chamberlain, CFRE, a founding member of the Greater New York Chapter and a longtime supporter of the Foundation.

For more information or for an application, click here or contact Kim Loftus at or 269.343.2601.

Purpose

The purpose of the AFP Scholarship Fund is to promote and enhance the professional development of fund development professionals in our service area and encourage involvement and membership in the AFP-West Michigan Chapter.

Guidelines

AFP-West Michigan Programs

The AFP Scholarship Fund will consider funding up to 100% of the cost of local AFP-West Michigan programs, not to exceed $500 per year per member.

Regional Programs

The AFP Scholarship Fund will consider funding 50% (not to exceed $500) of the cost of tuition (including room and board) of a regional fund raising program, such as those offered by GVSU, the Fund Raising School at IUPUI, or other approved program.

To be considered the scholarship applicant must be an AFP Member for at least two years, and must have attended at least two local programs in the past year.

National Programs

The AFP Scholarship Fund will consider funding 50% (not to exceed $1,000) of the cost of tuition (including room and board) of a fund raising program, such as the AFP International Conference.

To be considered the scholarship applicant must be an active member of the local chapter. The applicant must be an AFP Member for at least two years, an active program participant and AFP or NPD volunteer.

Further Qualifications

Recipients must have development responsibilities within the qualified 501(c)(3) in which they work. One scholarship per individual per organization will be given each year.

Applications

Applications are accepted throughout the year and awarded at next available meeting of the AFP board after submission. Applicants will be notified within 30 days of receiving the application.

Applicants must submit a one-page summary that includes the following:

• Name of individual taking the course/program and name of the organization where he/she works
• The number of years the applicant has been an AFP Member
• A list of the local AFP program(s) the applicant has attended in the past year
• A statement of how the applicant has served the profession in the past year or a list of their volunteerism with AFP, such as NPD
• A copy of the organization's IRS 501(c)3 determination letter
• A copy of the class or program registration
• The amount requested by the applicant
• Submission can be sent to AFPWM, c/o Chapter Administrator, P.O. Box 6302, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6302 or to the Scholarship Committee Chairperson