Association of Fundraising Professionals Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter

🎉 Thrilled to see long-time former board member, Jim Moore recognized on this list! This honor is so well deserved and speaks to the lasting difference he continues to make in our community. 🏳️‍🌈Congratulations 👏✨

BizTimes Milwaukee is proud to present our recognition of Notable LGBTQ+ Executives. Nominated by their peers for their contributions to local business and inclusive leadership, these professionals are steering southeastern Wisconsin toward a more diverse and equitable business community.

- Trenice Ferguson; operations director, Community Development Alliance
- Deb Anguil; chief operating officer, Anguil Environmental Systems Inc.
- Charlie Nash; executive director-product, JPMorganChase
- James Moore; vice president of operations, Waukesha County Community Foundation
- Rebecca Monti; principal assistant city attorney, City of West Allis
- Brandon Hill; president and CEO, Vivent Health

Congratulations to the Notable LGBTQ+ Executives! 🎉🎉 Learn more about each leader at the link in the comment section.

Do you know someone making an impact in the community? Now is the perfect time to recognize their work and inspire others through their story.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Philanthropy Day Awards!

Award categories include:
🟨 Philanthropist of the Year
🟦 Wisconsin Organization Philanthropy Award
🟨 Volunteer of the Year
🟦 Philanthropic Youth of Today
🟨 IDEA Champion of the Year
🟦 Fundraising Professional of the Year

Nominations must be submitted by July 1, 2026. Learn more and submit a nomination here: https://fs27.formsite.com/wwbic/ypseuysb6d/index

And remember to save the date for National Philanthropy Day on Thursday, November 19, 2026! 🎉 Join us in celebrating the incredible generosity, compassion, and community spirit that make a difference every day.

Save the date for National Philanthropy Day on Thursday, November 19, 2026! 🎉

Join us in celebrating the incredible generosity, compassion, and community spirit that make a difference every day. Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Philanthropy Day Awards!

Award categories include:

🟨 Philanthropist of the Year
🟦 Wisconsin Organization Philanthropy Award
🟨 Volunteer of the Year
🟦 Philanthropic Youth of Today
🟨 IDEA Champion of the Year
🟦 Fundraising Professional of the Year

Do you know someone making an impact in your organization or community? Now is the perfect time to recognize their work and inspire others through their story.

Nominations must be submitted by July 1, 2026.

Learn more and submit a nomination here: https://fs27.formsite.com/wwbic/ypseuysb6d/index

AFP ICON 2026 in San Diego brought together 3,200+ fundraising professionals from around the world—including a strong showing from AFP Southeastern Wisconsin!

Big themes this year: shifting funding priorities, the need to grow and diversify donor bases, and thoughtful use of AI in our work.
Beyond the sessions, it was all about connection—highlighted by a memorable networking night at Petco Park. ⚾

Congrats to our scholarship recipients Connor Grossnickle, Dan Baldwin and Andrea Homan (pictured in the first pic with our Chapter President, Mimi Laflin).

Join fellow seasoned development professionals in a confidential space to connect, reflect and exchange ideas! Facilitated by Gwen Griffin and Amalia Schoone, this SIG group meets (virtually) the first Wednesday of each month from 8:30 – 9:30 AM.

Whether you’re leading a team or a department of one, this group is built for those with 10+ years of experience who are making or contributing to decisions that shape their organizations.

What’s keeping you up at night? Those are the topics that will drive the conversation. Bring your big questions, tough challenges or need for a gut check. Together we’ll dive into thoughtful discussion and brainstorming with peers who truly get it.

Learn more and register at https://www.afpsewi.org/events/

Welcome new AFPSEWI Board Member, Anita Alfaro!

"I’m truly honored to join the AFP Southeastern Wisconsin Board. As someone who has dedicated my career to connecting communities with opportunities that drive equity and impact, I value AFP’s commitment to professional growth and ethical fundraising. I’m excited to collaborate with fellow leaders to strengthen our local philanthropic community and support meaningful change across our region." - Anita Alfaro

Anita is the Development and Donor Relations Manager at the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, Inc. Welcome!

On March 18, members of AFP spent the day diving into all things events. In the morning, Amanda Dykstra of Life Navigators led a session on how to create successful events and maximize event ROI. She encouraged participants to think strategically and intentionally about event planning, sharing these key tips:

🟨Assess whether a specific type of event truly fits your organization—just because a golf outing works for one group doesn’t mean it’s right for your audience
🟦Establish clear metrics for success that go beyond financial outcomes
🟨Build and follow detailed event timelines to minimize surprises
🟦Promote your event widely—you never know who people know, and expanded reach can lead to new attendees
🟨Be mindful of scheduling conflicts with organizations that share a similar audience or mission

In the afternoon, Bill Prom of the Bob Woodruff Foundation moderated an expert panel featuring Sarah Fierek (Center for Veterans Issues), Joel Censius (Arts At Large), and Courtney Kihslinger (Children's Wisconsin). The panel sparked a dynamic conversation, giving attendees a deeper look into what truly drives successful events. Key takeaways from the panel included:

🟨Gather input from a wide range of stakeholders—both internal and external—to strengthen planning and create shared ownership
🟦Keep your mission front and center in all event messaging and materials
🟨Prioritize relationship-building and engagement, even over immediate financial goals
🟦Personalize follow-up with donors based on the events they attend and how they engage
🟨Build flexible, cross-functional event teams that can step in wherever needed
🟦Use committees strategically—they often reflect and help shape your event audience

Overall, the day reinforced that successful events are not just about logistics or revenue—they are about intentional planning, strong relationships, and aligning every detail with your mission.

Have you registered for the March education session: Mastering Fundraising Events: From Foundations to Inspiration at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park on 3/18? This special education session is designed for fundraisers at every level.

Morning Session: Events 101

Perfect for those newer to event planning or anyone looking for a refresher. Learn the essential elements you need to plan and execute a successful fundraising event.

Presenter: Amanda Dykstra, Marketing & Development Director at Life Navigators

Afternoon Session: Event Masterclass: Decisions, Ideas, Inspiration

This interactive panel session will explore big-picture decisions: when to launch or cancel an event, creative ideas to engage your audience, and strategies to keep events fresh and inspiring.

Panelists Include:

- William Prom, Moderator
- Courtney Kihslinger, Director of Stewardship at Children's Wisconsin
- Joel Cencius, Executive Director, Arts At Large
- Sarah Fierek, Fund Development, Center for Veterans Issues

Attend one session or both: either way, you’ll gain practical insights to elevate your events! Lunch will be provided for participants registering for both sessions.

Register now at https://www.afpsewi.org/events/mastering-fundraising-events-foundations-inspiration

Join us this Thursday, March 5 from Noon - 1 pm for Preparing For Transitions & Turnover: Systems That Sustain Your Team with guest speaker Ginny Finn at the MATC Foundation.

Staff transitions happen. People leave for new opportunities (whether they are happy or not), take a new role within the organization, get promoted, or even return to school. This session focuses on how we can prepare before change happens. Less disruption and protected relationships, momentum, and morale are the goal!

We’ll explore how to build systems, cross-training practices and documentation that keep your department moving forward when roles change. Whether you lead a large team or a small shop, this session will help you think proactively about continuity, capacity, and care.

Key takeaways include:
• Preparing for staff transitions while fully staffed
• Cross-training and shared ownership of key functions
• Documentation, calendars, and standards that support continuity
• Managing role transitions when experience is correlated but not identical
• Planning for donor and partner relationships tied to departing staff - including you

Register now at:

Preparing for Transitions & Turnover: Systems That Sustain Your Team Join AFP-Southeastern Wisconsin for the final session of a three-part HR Essentials winter virtual series! *Note: This is a rescheduled session from February 5th.

💻 Join us virtually on Thursday (2/26) from Noon - 1 pm for Retention and Growth: Supporting Fundraisers for the Long Term with guest speaker Sheila Wordell from Baird.

Retention continues to be one of the most pressing challenges for fundraising teams. At Baird, retention isn’t just driven by compensation or titles, it’s shaped by culture, clarity, and how associates experience their work every day.

In this session, we’ll hear from a corporate culture specialist who helps create environments where people feel supported, empowered, and connected over the long term.

Together, we’ll explore how intentional communication, a sense of purpose, and meaningful connection contribute to stronger engagement and long‑term retention on fundraising teams, while also looking at practical ways to strengthen belonging, reinforce shared values, and support associate well‑being, key elements of the Baird experience and of any sustainable retention strategy.

Register now at https://www.afpsewi.org/events/retention-growth-supporting-fundraisers-long-term