AFP's Commitment to Our IDEA Principles and Next Steps

There are many important conversations about racism taking place in our society, in the fundraising sector, and within the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) and the AFP chapters.

AFP Global is fully committed to our work towards Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) and we acknowledge there is much work to do.  

We stand against oppression and injustice in the AFP community and encourage our chapters and members to continue to engage with us and each other on this journey. 

AFP is committed to systemic change and transformation at the global and chapter levels in order to nurture a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community of fundraisers. We are grateful that we collectively have the gift of learning that will guide us forward in the continuation of change and transformation.

There are legal actions taking place around certain allegations of racist behavior.  As a result, we have been advised by legal counsel not to make any comments that could be misinterpreted while these legal actions are ongoing.

To be clear, separate from these legal actions, the Association of Fundraising Professionals remains fully committed to our IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) principles (a key pillar of AFP’s strategic plan) and we continue our efforts to support this most needed work.

So, to answer the daily question of what is AFP Global currently doing? 

Our number one priority is reviewing how our IDEA principles are interwoven in all aspects of our AFP Community. 

Led by AFP Global’s new Head of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access, our first steps include:

• A full and thorough review of our chapter and individual awards, 

• A full and thorough review of our volunteer pathways, and 

• A full and thorough review of our processes and requirements for becoming volunteer leaders within all levels of the AFP Community. 

In each of these steps, it is our intent to make these important aspects of the AFP Community more inclusive, equitable, accessible, and diverse. We will be inclusive of all voices in this process, and we will keep our AFP Community updated on our progress.

Thank you.