AFP Announces 2018 Diverse Communities Scholars for International Conference

December 12, 2017

The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, the AFP Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Committee, and the AFP Diversity Scholarship Task Force are proud to announce the 23 fundraisers who comprise the 2018 class of Diverse Communities Scholars to the AFP International Fundraising Conference in New Orleans, La., on April 15-17, 2018.

The Diverse Communities Scholarship Program was started in 2012 when a group of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) fundraising professionals had a discussion at the AFP International Fundraising Conference about supporting others from diverse communities who were not able to afford attendance at the conference.

From that early idea, the Diverse Communities Scholarship Program was created. The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy has since awarded 107 scholarships valued at more than $150,000 since the program’s inception. Each scholarship is valued at $1,500, which includes the conference registration as well as travel assistance.

Reflecting on this year’s cohort, Nick Stinson, chair of the Diversity Scholarship Task Force, said, “Each year, AFP ICON is enriched by the presence of these brilliant and diverse scholars, all of whom would have been unable to attend without a Diverse Communities Scholarship. These first-time conference attendees bring an essential perspective to our profession. And they return home as more effective fundraisers and leaders in their respective communities. Our deepest gratitude goes to the generous donors who have sent these 23 scholars to New Orleans!”

This year’s class of scholars includes:

Ana Claudia Aguayo
Development Officer
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Bentonville, Ark.
AFP TX, Greater Houston Chapter Named Scholarship

Brittini Allen
Director of Philanthropy
YWCA Clark County
Vancouver, Wa.
African American Development Officers Named Scholarship

Karolina Bednarska
Development Specialist
The Arc of Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
AFP DC, Washington DC Metro Chapter Named Scholarship

Daniel Berman
Director of Development
The Alliance for Independence
Lakeland, Fla.
AFP FL, First Coast Chapter Named Scholarship

Michele Brewer
Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Michelle’s Place
Temecula, Calif.

Chelsea Brown
Development Assistant
The SEED School of Maryland
Baltimore, Md.
In honor of Ruth T. Goddard Named Scholarship

Crystal Brown, MSW
Executive Director
Brethren Housing Association
Harrisburg, Pa.

Tammy Ebuen
International Program Manager
Beautiful World Canada
Toronto, Ont.
AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada Named Scholarship in honour of Ruth T. Goddard

Sandra Gaddy
CEO
Women’s Resource Center
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Helen Arnold, CFRE Named Scholarship

Mikki Gillette
Major Gifts Officer
Basic Rights Oregon
Portland, Ore.

Justin Hongeva
Resource Development Manager
Hopi Education Endowment Fund
Kykotsmovi, Ariz.
AFP AZ, Greater Arizona Chapter Named Scholarship

Rickesh Lakhani, CFRE
Executive Director
Future Possibilities for Kids
Toronto, Ont.
AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada Named Scholarship

Iris Maute-Gibson
Grants Coordinator
North Cascades Institute
Sedro Woolley, Wa.
AFP IL, Chicago Chapter, Pat Broughton, CFRE & John Huebler, CFRE Named Scholarship

Laura Christine McCullough
Director of Philanthropic Services
Frederick, Md.
In honor of Ruth T. Goddard Named Scholarship

Rosemarie Genvieve Michel, BA
Development Officer
Amici Camping Charity
Toronto, Ont.
AFP ON, Greater Toronto Chapter Named Scholarship

Matthew Alexander Randolph
Development Coordinator
Asylum Access
Oakland, Calif.

Catriona Reynolds
Executive Director
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic
Homer, Alaska
AFP GA, Greater Atlanta Chapter Named Scholarship

Alina Michele Santillan
Major Gifts Officer
KEXP
Seattle, Wash.

Aisha Truss-Miller
Development Manager
Metropolitan Tenants Organization
Chicago, Ill.

Brenda Turner
Associate Director of Individual Giving
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Atlanta, Ga.
AFP GA, Greater Atlanta Chapter Named Scholarship

Lamaya Covington Williams
Director of Operations
Big Brothers Big Sisters Services Inc.
Winston Salem, N.C.
Patrick Feeley, CFRE Named Scholarship

Kay Wilson
Executive Director
LeaderSpark Inc.
Columbus, Ohio
AFP KY, Bluegrass Chapter Named Scholarship

Kayla Wingert, BS
Executive Director
The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health
Pawtucket, R.I.

“We’re excited to welcome all of these fundraisers to the 2018 AFP International Conference in New Orleans next year,” said Mike Geiger, president and CEO of AFP. “Their energy, passion and outlook will add not only to the conference, but also to our profession. I’m looking forward to meeting them in New Orleans and hearing their ideas and perspectives to help us build a stronger and more effective AFP and fundraising profession.”

The donors listed below generously provided named scholarships to the AFP Diverse Communities Scholarship Program. Thank you very much for their important support of this program.

The African American Diversity Scholarship Fund

African American Development Officers Network

The General Diversity Scholarship Fund

AFP AZ, Southern Chapter

AFP DC, Washington DC Metro Chapter

AFP FL, First Coast Chapter

AFP GA, Greater Atlanta Chapter (2 scholarships)

AFP KY, Bluegrass Chapter

AFP ON, Greater Toronto Chapter

AFP TX, Greater Houston Chapter

AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada

Helen Arnold, CFRE

Patrick Feeley, CFRE

In honor of Ruth T. Goddard

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Diversity Scholarship Fund

AFP IL, Chicago Chapter, Pat Broughton, CFRE & John Huebler, CFRE

The following donors are recognized for their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the fundraising profession and have made a generous contribution to the Diverse Communities Scholarship Campaign.

The African American Diversity Scholarship Fund

Tolani Afolabi, MA

Karolo Aparicio, CFRE

Andrea Arthur, CFRE

Birgit Smith Burton

Linda Frank, CFRE

Jaleith Zakiya Gary

Beverly L. Herbert, CFRE

Thomas M. Hull, CFRE

Anthony Spearman-Leach, CFRE

The General Diversity Scholarship Fund

Dr. Chandra Alexandre, CFRE, PHD, MBA

Andrea Arthur, CFRE

Bingo Participants at the 2017 Leadership Academy

Lisa Blackwelder

Brian Bonde, ACFRE

Jan Brazzell, ACFRE, PH.D.

Marianne G Briscoe, ACFRE, PH.D.

Birgit Smith Burton

James D. Clark, CFRE

Susan Corlett

Christie Cotterill, CFRE

Coxe Curry & Associate, Inc.

Michael Delzotti, CFRE

Paul A. Dunne, CFRE

Linda Frank, CFRE

Joseph K. Goepfrich, CFRE

Lori Gusdorf, CAE

Ann Hale, CFRE

Cindy Hall, CFRE

Doug Hartjes, CFRE

Robbe Healey, ACFRE

Susan Earl Hosbach, CFRE

John Huebler, CFRE

Simone Joyaux, ACFRE

Marci Leveillee, MSW, BA

Stephen & Marjorie Levy

Claudia Looney, FAHP

David J. Madson, ACFRE

Heba Mahmoud

Lenore McDonald, CFRE

P.T. McEwen

Nick Ricci

Gwen Sobolewski

Nick Stinson

Steven Titlebaum, CFRE

Jan Zeigler, CFRE

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Diversity Scholarship Fund

William Bartolini, Ph.D., ACFRE

Brenda K. Betts, CFRE

John Dawe, CFRE

Linda Frank, CFRE

Bethanie Hemingway

Thomas M. Hull, CFRE

Troy Nuss

James Phelps, ACFRE

Pride Foundation

Michael Slaymaker

Scott C. Staub, ACFRE

Tim Whalen

Marci Wing, CFRE

Chapter Impact Campaign Gifts to Diversity

AFP AL, North Chapter

AFP CA, Desert Communities Chapter

AFP CA, Greater Los Angeles Chapter

AFP CA, Greater San Fernando Valley Chapter

AFP LA, Greater New Orleans Chapter

AFP MA, Western Chapter

AFP Minnesota Chapter

AFP New Mexico Chapter

AFP OH, Northeast Ohio Chapter

AFP OR & SW Washington Chapter

AFP PA, Eastern Chapter

AFP PA, Northeast Chapter

AFP SK, Regina Chapter

AFP WI, Southeastern Chapter

Congratulations to the twenty-three 2018 Diverse Communities Scholars, and thank you to the donors who made this possible.