Collegiate Chapters

(L-R) Jenn Heitmeyer, ’16, Connor Hooper, ’16, and Catherine Elliott, ’16
volunteer at the Central Ohio AFP Chapter’s 2015 National Philanthropy Day.

“Our students graduate with a deep understanding of the nonprofit world,
primed for rewarding careers serving our community.”
-Stephanie Mizer, The Ohio State University; Chair, Central Ohio AFP Collegiate Chapter Committee

For nearly seven years, the Central Ohio AFP Collegiate Chapters have connected students interested in nonprofit careers with current professionals and employers. The Columbus area currently boasts two collegiate chapters at The Ohio State University and Otterbein University. For those interested in mission-oriented careers, gaining hands-on experience before entering the nonprofit workforce is invaluable. 

“The AFP Collegiate Chapter has enabled me to stand out among fellow students by opening the door to a network of professional mentors and facilitating the development of fundamental fundraising skills,” shares Connor Hooper, a class of 2016 undergraduate and president of The Ohio State University AFP Collegiate Chapter. “I encourage any student interested in philanthropy or nonprofits to engage with AFP and take this important first step to launching a meaningful career.”

It’s a win-win-win. Students, nonprofit agencies, and local professionals all benefit from the collegiate chapters.

Students gain hands-on experience across the nonprofit sector, including service projects, networking, job shadowing and mentorships, resume reviews and mock interviews, nonprofit professional speakers series, and Central Ohio AFP events.

Nonprofits advance mission awareness among the local student population, with the opportunity to recruit the next generation of mission-oriented employees.

Professionals inspire and guide students through mentorships, speaking engagements, and membership on the Central Ohio AFP Collegiate Chapter Committee.

Capital University’s Dustin Grovemiller hopes the committee’s work will ultimately lead more students to work in nonprofits. “As fundraising professionals, we want to inspire the next generation to choose careers that will benefit society. So many young people want to change the world, but need more guidance to help them find a path. We owe it to them – and our community – to help them explore the nonprofit field and understand the difference they can make. I wish I’d had an opportunity like this in college!”

Check out our events calendar!

Core Purpose

To expose undergraduate and graduate students to fundraising as a profession, the importance of philanthropy, and the vital role of ethics in professional practice.

Vision
Involvement in an AFP collegiate chapter will instill in students the rewards of professional fundraising as a career path and motivate them to pursue it as a career after graduation, as well as highlight the critical role philanthropy plays in our society.

Mission
The AFP collegiate chapters allow students to identify a cause to support, learn and apply ethical fundraising principles, and support the cause in which they believe, giving them a solid base of understanding and welcoming them into philanthropic and fundraising communities. The core activities to fulfill this mission include education, real-life fundraising experience, mentoring and networking.

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Scholarships & Collegiate Chapter Chair

Tiffany Priest, MPA

Managing Director of Development - City Year

Contact Me

614-586-4522

Learn More

Position Title: Scholarships & Collegiate Chapter Chair

Capacity: Board Member

Reports to: Vice President for Membership

Key Responsibilities:

• Organizes and chairs Committee meetings
• Recruits and enlists committee members; monitors the work of volunteers to ensure timely completion of assignments
• Assists in developing and running operations for AFP Central Ohio Collegiate Chapters
• Recruits and appoints Central Ohio AFP Collegiate Chapter professional Advisor to work with Collegiate Faculty/Staff Advisor and Collegiate Chapter Members
• Works with Collegiate Chapter Members to ensure Collegiate Chapter remains in good standing and retains charter status by complying with AFP Global regulations including:
  • Maintaining an active program consistent with the objectives of the Association of Fundraising Professionals
  • Maintaining ten paid collegiate chapter members
  • Elects officers and holds regularly-scheduled meetings
  • Follows Chapter Accord process and provides requisite information to AFP Global by deadline
• Assists Collegiate Chapter leaders and members to plan and implement education programs and philanthropic project
• Plans and implements a mentoring program and job shadowing opportunities for Collegiate Chapter members
• Supports Collegiate Chapter participation at education programs and National Philanthropy Day
• Develops and submits a budget to the Treasurer by designated deadline; monitors committee income and expenditures
• Provides timely and up-to-date content to Chapter Administrator and Marketing Chair for website and digital publications
• Works to successfully achieve goals outlined in Chapter Strategic Plan
• Ensures there is a succession plan to cultivate a new chair to take his/her place as needed
• Determines, coordinates and awards all scholarships for the Chapter 
  • Scholarships include: AFP International Conference, CFRE Exam, Certificate courses, AFP Education Courses,  membership, etc.
  • Communicates scholarships deadlines and application procedures to the Chapter
  • Informs scholarship recipients and non-recipients in a timely fashion
  • Submits all necessary documentation to AFP Global for AFP Conference scholarship recipient (Chamberlain Scholar)
• With the Volunteer Coordinator and Mentoring Chair Tracks and assures committee involvement of mentees and scholarship recipients
• Works with the Vice President of Communications and Marketing Chair to outline strategies for communicating all scholarship opportunities to membership
• With Committee, personally promotes scholarship opportunities through group and one-on-one communications, and implements the review/award process
• Develops and submits a budget to the Treasurer by designated deadline; monitors committee income and expenditures 
• Provides timely and up-to-date content to Chapter Administrator and Marketing Chair for website and digital publications
• Works to successfully achieve goals outlined in Chapter Strategic Plan
• Celebrates success; ensures that celebration includes expressions of gratitude to volunteers
• Adheres to policies and Board responsibilities as adopted by the Board of Directors
• Upon leaving office, transfers all records to successor