September Professional Development | Navigating Sticky Situations As fundraising professionals we are committed to ethical practices and work to avoid questionable situations. But sometimes they find us! Join us this month for a lively group discussion about real world, sticky situations and how your peers have navigated them. Whether it’s really obvious (you want me to do WHAT?!?) or something you never considered an ethical dilemma  (I shouldn’t do THAT when I change jobs?), you need to be equipped with strategies and peers to support you. Bring your bag lunch and we’ll bring the strategies and peer support. [...]

October Professional Development | From the Donors: Insight into Motivations, Do's and Don'ts How do our donors think about giving? What motivates them? Do they do it for the benefits or for tax reasons? Come hear directly from a panel of local donors to find out what they look for in an organization to support, what they like and dislike about philanthropy and nonprofit relations, and how you can be a better donor-centric fundraiser. This is your chance for a candid conversation about what you can do better to earn their support! This event will be in person, [...]

December Professional Development | Dogwood Health Trust's 2024 Grantmaking Mark Constantine, Dogwood Health Trust's Senior Vice President of Community Investment, will share an overview of how Dogwood will approach grantmaking in 2024, including a single cycle for Strategic Priority Grant Opportunities, a rolling application process for community and racial equity, policy and advocacy, sustainable organizations, and impact investing, visits to all counties and the Qualla Boundary, the start of their Broadband Initiative, and streamlining their processes to better serve their partners.   Presented by Mark Constantine. Mark joined the Dogwood Health Trust team [...]

January Event and Social Gathering Start the new year networking with your development peers and learn about our 2024 offerings to support you in your work. Afternoon snacks, a drink ticket and door prizes provided! Let's ring in a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! Raffle prizes include various gift cards, French Broad Chocolates and Chocolate Factory Tour, Poppy Popcorn, and a "Golden Ticket" for a year of free AFP WNC programs! Plus, savor a special small-batch brew made just for AFP WNC! This is a drop-in style event and your first drink is on us. NA options [...]

February Professional Development | Grow a Better Board: The 3 I’s of Board Engagement Nonprofit boards are not realizing their full potential. Engage board members in a way that is mutually fulfilling for both board members and the organization they serve. Doing so can help your organization achieve more and develop advocates deeply committed to lifelong philanthropy. This interactive session will give you a roadmap you can put into practice now—to transform your board AND transform your mission. Catered lunch will be included with your registration fee. Vegetarian and Gluten Free options will be available. [...]

March Social Gathering Join your colleagues at the Wedge Foundation's Cloud Room for some "Crafted Conversations" around fundraising topics you want to talk about! When you register, please add your suggestions, which will help shape the social's theme. Registration includes a drink ticket. This is a drop-in style event and your first drink is on us. NA options will be available. Event venue is located at Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy Street #10, Asheville, NC 28801 and takes place in the Cloud Room. Register

July Social Gathering Join your colleagues at The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage for some "Crafted Conversations" around fundraising topics you want to talk about! When you register, please add your suggestions, which will help shape the social's theme. Registration includes a drink ticket. This is a drop-in style event and your first drink is on us. NA options will be available. Event venue is located at The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803. Register

August Professional Development | Doing More with Your Giving Day(s) Giving days are a national trend, from Giving Tuesday to organizational anniversary dates—but have we reached peak giving days? Western Carolina University has bucked national trends for Giving Tuesday and has also just successfully completed the second annual One Day for Western, an all-in giving day focused on different university priorities. This session will present ideas to help you rethink your approach to running a giving day campaign at your organization. Catered lunch can be included with your registration fee. Vegetarian and Gluten Free options will be [...]

September Social Event Crafted Conversations: Bright IDEAs Join your colleagues at White Labs Kitchen & Tap for networking and rich discussion at September's Crafted Conversation. This month we are diving into all things IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access). What inclusive practices are you proud of as a fundraiser? How do your fundraising campaigns support access for people living with disabilities? Why is diversity and equity essential to forwarding your mission? Let's discuss! Registration includes a drink ticket and the chance to win raffle prizes, including self-care items from C&Co.® Handcrafted Skincare! NA options will be available. This event [...]

October Professional Development | How You Can Put More ‘Zing’ Into Your Recurring Donor Program This event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for 2025. In challenging times, monthly donors are true lifesavers. They keep the lights on. They keep your mission going, no matter what happens in the world.  Erica Waasdorp (who wrote two books and lots of resources on monthly giving) will show you how to do exactly that.  After this session, you’ll have the magic combination of tiny stories to share and tools to apply to bring in new monthly donors and how [...]

December Networking In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we recognize the great need to come together and support each other. Knowing that, we will be covering the cost of a catered lunch for you on December 11. We'll gather for a festive meal and fellowship. Please note the new location in the "Church of the Advocate Room" at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street in downtown Asheville. Enter the building through the red door (not the main gate.)     Register