How to Form a Collegiate Chapter

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents more than 30,000 members in more than 240 chapters worldwide.  AFP works to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs.

 How To Start a Collegiate Chapter
 

• How to Start a Collegiate Chapter Guide
• AFP Requirements Checklist
  • Chapter Information Form
  • Charter Petition
  • Sample sponsorship letter
  • Collegiate Chapter Leadership Form
  • Collegiate Chapter Membership Invitation
  • Standardized Collegiate Chapter Bylaws
  • Conformance to Bylaws
  • Chapter Affiliation Agreement
• Roles and Responsibilities of Collegiate Chapter Officers
• Cost: Collegiate Membership- $35.00 + Collegiate Chapter Dues

Purpose for Category

• To expose students to fundraising as a career choice
• To give students the opportunity to network with the local chapter and eventually join their local chapters and become Young Professional Members upon graduation 
• To explain and expand the AFP Code as part of the core principles of fundraising.
• To work with colleges and universities with an ethnically- diverse student population to expand diversity in the profession and among AFP members
• To create alliances with college age students to further the goals of the Youth in Philanthropy program, which includes exposure to philanthropic programs, volunteerism and community service. 

Criteria for Membership

1. Must subscribe to the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice.
2. Must be a student and be enrolled in a degree-granting, certificate or diploma program at an accredited college or university. Part time graduate students are eligible unless they are working full time for a nonprofit organization, in which case they are urged to join their AFP chapter. 

Example of a Qualified Collegiate Member

Students in a two- or four-year full time degree granting, certificate, or diploma program at an accredited college or university. 

Member Benefits

• Fundraising experience through the Collegiate Chapter’s Philanthropic Project
• Invitation to Emerging Fundraisers Academy
• Discounted International Conference Registration rate
• Networking with professional fundraisers through the AFP Chapter
• AFP Member Gateway website
• Ability to apply for the AFP Fundraising Certificate
• eWire
• On-Line Membership Directory
• Advocacy – Legislative, Regulatory and Media Relations
• AFP Awards for Philanthropy; National Philanthropy Day®
• Educational Seminars
• Scholarships
• Is able to serve on local or international committees or task forces (not eligible for voting at the international level and may not serve as a CPC Representative) 

The AFP Collegiate Chapter program educates students about fundraising as a career and about philanthropy in general. 
Requirements

1. The chapter must be formed on a campus of an accredited 2 or 4 year college or university.
2. At least 10 active members who are current students at the university must complete membership applications (Link to collegiate applications).
3. The chapter is able to determine their chapter dues amount (if they chose to charge additional chapters dues).
4. Hold a yearly philanthropic project.
5. Hold yearly education sessions.
6. Remain engaged with the local Professional Chapter.
7. Appoint a Faculty Advisor to serve as the mentor and chapter guide.
8. Must be sponsored by the local professional AFP Chapter who has a Collegiate Chapter Advisor who will serve as the liaison between the collegiate chapter and the professional chapter.
9. Each collegiate chapter member must be an AFP International member and pay a dues fee of $35/per year to AFP.
10. All members must sign their adherence to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards on the membership application. 
11. Chapters may charge additional dues to chapter members.
12. Chapter must have a board of directors including a President, President-elect, Treasurer and Membership Chair. All officers must submit a membership application and become and AFP member.
13. The Chapter must adopt AFP Standardized Collegiate Chapter Bylaws.
14. All Chapters must sign the Chapter Affiliation Agreement. 

Getting Your Collegiate Chapter Started

University/College Requirements
Consistent with the rules for student organizations at your institution, a faculty advisor must be appointed. Determine the other requirements by your university/college to form a chapter or club.  These requirements must be fulfilled before or in conjunction with the AFP requirements for a chapter charter. 

Many college/university campuses have budgeted money to help with startup costs, dues or other expenses for college approved clubs or chapters.  Check into this as a possible resource to offset some expenses.