Scholarships
With the help of our partners, AFP-GPC awards scholarships for the following programs:
AFP-GPC IDEA Fellowship Program
Application Deadline: November 30, 2026
Program: The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Fellowship (IDEA) is a year-long fellowship for two fundraising professionals from historically underrepresented communities. Historically underrepresented communities include, but are not limited to:
- BIPOC
- LGBTQIA+ and/or gender non-conforming individuals
- Early-career or emerging professionals working at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits
The IDEA Fellowship seeks to identify and elevate voices that are not currently engaged in the broader nonprofit fundraising community.
The program is intended to recruit and retain diverse fundraising professionals through education, professional development, and community building in the greater Philadelphia region.
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
- Support from IDEA Fellowship Alumni
In addition to all of the training benefits, fellows have 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: Candidates must have the full support of their supervisor or their organization’s leadership to participate in this educational program. Applicants do not need to be a member of AFP, but must fall within our chapter boundaries to be eligible for this opportunity.
Expectations: Candidates must be committed to attending the programs and events comprising the IDEA Fellows curriculum. Candidates are also expected to:
- Be active members of the IDEA Committee through committee work and monthly meetings
- Attend Leading Philanthropy Conference and National Philanthropy Day
- Be members of the National Philanthropy Day Awards Committee
- Explore other committees, workshops, coffee conversations, events, etc. that align with their interests
- Work closely with their IDEA Co-Fellow
- Other projects as they are identified
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and applicants may be asked to participate in a virtual interview prior to selection. Candidates who are chosen to be IDEA Fellows will be notified by December 18, 2026, and the selected Fellow will need to be available to attend AFP-GPC’s Annual Meeting in January 2027.
M. JANE WILLIAMS AWARD
Application Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026
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.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be a member in good standing of the AFP-GPC at the time of the award presentation at our chapter's National Philanthropy Day luncheon.
- Applicants must have served a minimum of five years in a paid position in the fundraising profession at the time of application.
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the fundraising profession.
- Applicants must attend our chapter's National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at the The Bellevue Hotel, 200 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Individuals from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to:
- BIPOC
- LGBTQIA+ and/or gender non-conforming individuals
- Early-career or emerging professionals working at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits
Award Amount: Applicants receive up to $1,000 and are required to submit receipts for reimbursement.
Please send any questions regarding your application to Valery Koontz, Executive Director, at [email protected].
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ABOUT THE M. JANE WILLIAMS AWARD
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 our chapter's National Philanthropy Day luncheon. The recipient must be present at the event to receive the award.
Leading Philanthropy Scholarship
Application Deadline: Closed for 2026
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.
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.
- 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.
Individuals from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to:
- BIPOC
- LGBTQIA+ and/or gender non-conforming individuals
- Early-career or emerging professionals working at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits
