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Approximately 270 people gathered together to celebrate eight individuals that made an impact by Meeting the Moment. These 2021 National Philanthropy Day Award Recipients, supported by family, friends, and colleagues shared their stories and gratitude. Gratitude was the highlight of the event on Tuesday, November 9th at The Pfister Hotel. Gratitude for loved ones, for the honor, for the opportunity to serve, for the supportive community, and for greater Milwaukee Area  non-profits. It was a truly rewarding event.   

The annual Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southeastern Wisconsin (AFPSEWI) National Philanthropy luncheon is back! After convening virtually last year due to the pandemic, local community leaders will gather in person on Tuesday, November 9 at the Pfister Hotel to celebrate the power and impact of philanthropy. This year’s theme, Meeting the Moment, pays tribute to the philanthropists, volunteers, organizations, and development professionals who rose to the occasion—in the midst of the pandemic—to make our community a better place for all. A highlight of the event will be the awards presentation honoring…

In response to questions from the moderator and attendees, panelists reflected on what it will take to achieve meaningful change. Major takeaways included...

We fundraisers are committed to philanthropy.  But some things are even more important, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us: "Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary." Read AFP’s Milwaukee Business Journal column and get involved in NPD 2020.

Almost by definition, communities unify people for collaborative action and shared benefit. That’s why 2020 will be remembered as a year when the unifying powers of community were put to severe test. When circumstances divide us, it’s too easy to lose sight of what unites us. Together, let’s commit to change that on November 10.

The 2020 National Philanthropy Day Committee is excited to share with you that we are thinking creatively and working collaboratively to plan a special celebration in November, in the context of our current world. It is going to look a little different this year, since we can’t be together in person – but we can still appreciate the power of our collective impact.

More than 450 community leaders gathered at AFPSEWI’s National Philanthropy Day celebration at the Pfister Hotel on November 12, hoping to be inspired by this year’s honorees. Those receiving the six awards did not disappoint, as affirmed by some of the outstanding quotes from their words of thanks:

To create an inspiring work, an artist translates a beautiful vision into reality. It’s the same for a philanthropist: starting with their vision of a better world, they wield brushstrokes of passion, creativity, insight and generosity. Their works don’t just inspire us – they lift our whole community’s quality of life.

It turns out, there is such a thing as a free lunch! All members who nominate a project for the 2019 NPD Impact Awards will receive one free admission to a 2020 AFPSEWI Educational Luncheon of their choice! Individuals or organizations may self-nominate projects completed within the past three years. Each nominated project must include the work of at least one Association of Fundraising Professionals member to be eligible to win.

Did you know that your AFP membership includes two nominations to acknowledge and celebrate your closest donors and supporters? Submit Partners in Philanthropy (PIP) by October 4 for the chance to win two tickets to NPD!

Build awareness for your cause, your mission, and for philanthropy. The Milwaukee Business Journal's Partners in Philanthropy (PIP) special edition is what you have been waiting for.

The National Philanthropy Day committee is working hard, and we are pleased to announce plentiful opportunities for members to show their talents, and contribute to the celebration on Tuesday, November 12, at the Pfister Hotel. Here are some quick updates:

The Impact Awards will be presented at the 2019 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon to recognize the important work that goes on ‘behind the scenes’ and to celebrate the Art of Philanthropy. In the coming weeks, AFP SEWI will be seeking member nominations for the following awards:

Quick: what’s the biggest thrill of being a fundraiser? Surely it’s the opportunity to associate with selfless humanitarians every single day. Admit it: you’ve got at least one donor or volunteer whose incredibly generous commitment gets you a little choked up… buoys your belief in society’s future…restores your faith in humanity…

“I have attended hundreds of these during my tenure as AFP President and yours ranks at the top! It was very well done, the awardees were outstanding and I think the audience really enjoyed themselves. Congratulations to your AFP Chapter for an outstanding National Philanthropy Day event.” - Paulette Maehara, CFRE

The 40th Annual National Philanthropy Day on Tuesday, November 13th, will be an event to remember.

Play in the leaves, pick some apples...and celebrate top philanthropists at NPD

"I would highly encourage other fundraisers to recognize their own volunteers and donors at NPD." Patti Oliver tells how it pays off in deeper donor relationships.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southeastern Wisconsin (AFPSEWI) Announces Awardees for National Philanthropy Day® 2018

You see their names on buildings. You read their names on plaques. But behind all the brass and calligraphy, what really motivates our community’s philanthropists?

AFP member Michelle St. Clair has good things to say about how her donor’s National Philanthropy Day award paid off in stronger relationships and sound stewardship:

Quick: what’s the biggest thrill of being a fundraiser? Surely it’s the opportunity to associate with selfless humanitarians every single day. Admit it: you’ve got at least one donor or volunteer whose incredibly generous commitment gets you a little choked up… buoys your belief in society’s future…restores your faith in humanity…

The scene: last November’s National Philanthropy Day celebration in Milwaukee. There I sat, in the crowd of 600-plus diners, listening to heartwarming thank-yous as our area’s leading philanthropists and volunteers received awards from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. I tried to put myself in their shoes, imagining how such public acclaim for altruism, generosity and community commitment must be like a dream come true for the honorees. Then suddenly it struck me:

National Philanthropy Day (NPD) is the day that thousands of people around the world come together to put that word into action as well as to recognize the many people who have contributed to making our society a better place. On November 13, 2018, we will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary in the Southeastern Wisconsin AFP Chapter—a very special occasion for our Chapter and the Milwaukee community.

AFP SEWI Chapter – Member Profile of the Month Does AFP participation hold the key to your organization’s next $1 million gift? It did for Dan Mueller.

Join us in saluting these 2017 award recipients who through their involvement demonstrate the best in community engagement. Their actions and responsible conduct make the following individuals, corporations, foundations, and youth the leaders in Southeastern Wisconsin.

There is still time to nominate your favorite volunteer, your top donor or a well-respected fundraising colleague for a National Philanthropy Day Award. The process is easy and the rewards to your organization are priceless! If you’re skeptical check out what AFP member Shavonn Montgomery Brown has to say.

Milwaukee is known as a great, family-oriented community: People here know that giving to a family member in need is not only the right thing to do, but results in a warmer and stronger family environment that benefits everyone. Fair enough. But there’s a special group among us who take this even farther – who see all of us as family. These people extend their giving spirit to the community at large – and the result is a warmer, stronger metro Milwaukee.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southeastern Wisconsin Announces Awardees for National Philanthropy Day® 2016. Philanthropists strengthen the community by enabling innovation, inspiring engagement, and spreading goodwill. The following awardees are being honored at the event this year:

Americans gave more than $373 billion to charity in 2015 – a new record, according to the Giving Institute’s Giving USA report released last week. Clearly, philanthropy is not just a uniquely American force for building community – it’s also big business. So to promote a robust culture of generosity locally, who better to partner than the Milwaukee Business Journal and the Association of Fundraising Professionals?