Scholarships

With the help of our partners, AFP-GPC awards scholarships for the following programs:

AFP-GPC IDEA Fellowship Program

AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter is pleased to announce the next round of the IDEA Fellow program. The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Fellowship is a year-long program for fundraisers from underrepresented communities, including fundraisers of color (African-American, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian), LGBTQ+ and/or gender nonconforming fundraisers, Indigenous, other underrepresented communities, and emerging fundraisers who work at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits. The program is intended to recruit, retain, and educate diverse nonprofit fundraisers with the intent to increase the number of diverse fundraising/nonprofit professionals in the Philadelphia Area.

The IDEA Fellowship program was envisioned to provide leadership opportunities for individuals to participate in training, mentorship, networking activities be future board leaders, and join as full-time members. This will ensure our chapter is representative of our entire community and enrich all of our learning experiences. In addition, inclusion will have a wide-reaching impact within the populations of donors, volunteers, and clients with whom fundraisers work.

The fellowship provides participants with full access to all the benefits of AFP- Greater Philadelphia Chapter, including:

• Complimentary one-year membership to AFP Global and AFP-GPC

• Orientation session

• Invitations to the chapter’s complimentary programs

• Free access to three AFP-GPC programs

• Complimentary ticket to Leading Philanthropy, AFP-GPC’s signature one-day conference

• Complimentary ticket to National Philanthropy Day

• Participation in the AFP-GPC mentorship program with an IDEA-focused mentor

• Opportunities to network, meet leaders in the fundraising and philanthropic sector, and participate in leadership opportunities (committees)

• Support from a senior chapter member throughout the fellowship

In addition to all of the training benefits, fellows have the opportunities to network, meet leaders in the fundraising and philanthropic sector, and participate in leadership opportunities, while they build fundraising capacity and increase mission impact. This will be conducted virtually or in person.

Eligibility: The IDEA Fellowship seeks to identify and engage voices that are not currently engaged in the broader nonprofit fundraising community. Individuals (preferred but not required) from underrepresented communities, including fundraisers of color (African American, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian), LGBTQ+ and/or gender nonconforming fundraisers, Indigenous, other underrepresented communities, and emerging fundraisers who work at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be committed to attending the programs and events comprising the IDEA Fellows curriculum and have the full support of their supervisor and their organization’s leadership to participate in this educational program. You do not need to be a member of AFP, but must fall within our chapter boundaries to be eligible for this opportunity. 2026 IDEA Fellow Application will open in the Fall 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

2026 Leading Philanthropy Scholarship

Apply for complimentary registration to the Leading Philanthropy: What Fundraising & Philanthropy Require Now being held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 8 am to 5 pm at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center.

The Leading Philanthropy Scholarship provides nonprofit fundraising professionals with the opportunity to attend this premier regional conference at no cost. This one-day, action-packed event offers practical, actionable insights from leading experts in the field, along with meaningful opportunities to connect with nonprofit peers from across the region.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your fundraising strategy, expand your professional network, or gain new ideas to advance your organization’s mission, Leading Philanthropy is designed to support your growth and impact.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must be:

• Current member of AFP
• Employed by a non-profit 501© (3) organization located in the Greater Philadelphia Region
• Employed as a fundraising professional or, if candidate is an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising.
• Complete an online evaluation form about his or her experience at the Leading Philanthropy Conference.

Please note: Only one individual per organization may be selected for a scholarship award.

As a community of inclusion, AFP seeks, embraces, and engages diverse individuals, groups, and organizations representing a broad range of experiences, perspectives, thoughts, and cultures within the fundraising profession. We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

APPLY HERE

M. JANE WILLIAMS AWARD

Applications for this award have closed for 2025.

The AFP-GPC Scholarship Committee is thrilled to present the M. Jane Williams Professional Development Award. This award is exclusively available to AFP-GPC Members who are interested in advancing their knowledge, leadership skills, and service to the fundraising profession. 

To be eligible:

• Applicants must be a member in good standing of the AFP-GPC at the time of application.
• Applicants must have at least five years of paid experience in the fundraising profession and demonstrate a commitment to the fundraising profession.
• Applicants must be available to attend the NPD event on Wednesday, November 12th at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia where the award will be presented.
  
  

This award is in honor of M. Jane Williams, a beloved leader and mentor in the fundraising community. Jane had a remarkable career spanning over five decades, achieving extraordinary success as a development leader, author, and consultant to numerous nonprofit organizations. In 1993, she was the first woman to be recognized as the AFP-GPC’s Fundraising Executive of the Year. 

Jane's colleagues and friends funded this award, and it is administered by AFP-GPC. The award is a grant of up to $1,000, which can be used to support any professional development activity related to fundraising. The recipient will be selected and presented with the award at the annual National Philanthropy Day event on November 12, 2025. The recipient must be present at the event to receive the award.

Chamberlain Scholarship

The Chamberlain Scholarship covers the registration fee for the AFP International Conference, which will take place in San Diego, April 26-28, 2026 . The scholarship awardee must pay a $10 processing fee and all travel and lodging accommodations.

More details to come later!