Building the Future of Fundraising: Advancing Leadership, Equity, and Impact in the Nonprofit Sector

Nonprofit organizations are essential pillars in our society, working tirelessly every day to improve lives and create lasting change. Whether providing critical services or advocating for important causes, these organizations impact individuals and communities in every corner of the country. However, their ability to fulfill their missions depends on having skilled and effective leaders, particularly in fundraising roles.

Unfortunately, current trends reveal significant challenges in nonprofit leadership, especially for fundraisers. Over the next decade, employment of fundraisers is projected to grow 6%, faster than the average for all occupations, with an average of 10,000 openings for fundraisers annually, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics September report. Alarmingly, the 2024 Chronicle of Philanthropy State of Nonprofit Leadership Survey found that 22% of nonprofit leaders plan to leave the sector altogether within the next two years leaving a significant gap. Additionally, people of color hold only about 30% of nonprofit executive roles, creating a disconnect between leadership and the communities they serve, according to Candid’s The state of diversity in the U.S. nonprofit sector.

This leadership gap threatens the future of nonprofits and the critical work they do. Far too often, the leadership of social impact organizations does not reflect the communities they serve. In our increasingly diverse nation, the failure to recruit and develop diverse nonprofit leaders prevents us from achieving our highest ideals as a society. The lack of well-trained, representative leaders is a tremendous challenge for our community of nonprofits and for the entire country. 

The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy (The Foundation) and its supporters, including AFP chapters around the country, have worked to address these critical issues. Several AFP chapters support national efforts aimed at intentional training. Programs like the AFP Leadership Institute are designed to equip nonprofit professionals with the skills needed to transition into executive roles, while initiatives like the Mentoring Program and Diverse Communities Scholarships support the growth of diverse leaders in the sector. These efforts are essential to building a strong leadership pipeline. Through annual major gifts to The Foundation, AFP chapters make a significant impact.

As Carrie Logue, president for the Orange County Chapter in California explains, “Growing leadership is a real need in Orange County as well as nationwide. Our chapter felt a responsibility to invest in the Leadership Institute to help provide meaningful leadership training opportunities to professionals from our community and the entire country. We need to keep amazing people in the fundraising profession. The only way to do that is to equip them as leaders and rally around each other in support.”

Since August 2023, four successful Leadership Institutes have been held where almost 100 professionals completed week-long cohort programs with intentional curriculum focused on building capable fundraising leaders who can help create stronger bridges between the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants reporting increased confidence in their ability to lead their organizations to success. It is evident that the programming fills a void for fundraising professionals that will enable them to help their nonprofit organizations be better managed, governed, and led.

But leadership development alone is not enough. AFP and The Foundation are also committed to promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) in all aspects of their work. The Greater Atlanta Chapter, for example, has invested in scholarships and mentorship programs that connect diverse fundraisers with the resources and support they need to thrive.

“When I reflect on AFP’s IDEA statement of principle, the phrase that resonates with me most is ‘Recognition of others as different, but equal.’ This idea inspires my perspective on how local AFP chapters can contribute to national IDEA initiatives. Each local chapter is unique, offering distinct insights and strengths. It's vital that we ensure individuals from diverse backgrounds have access to ICON and other essential programs. 

The AFP Greater Atlanta Chapter is proud to be a long-time supporter of The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, and we believe that by promoting equity and providing training opportunities and scholarships, we empower individuals to better serve their communities. Ultimately, our profession must be inclusive, fostering a sense of belonging for all. This commitment not only enriches our work but also serves the communities we represent, helping to secure resources that enhance access for those we support,” said Danielle Wilkes, president of the Greater Atlanta Chapter of AFP.

Multiple IDEA initiatives work in tandem on the national and local chapter levels to make positive impacts. For example, AFP is partnering with other professional organizations representing diverse groups to develop stronger educational programming and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to take leadership roles within charitable organizations. To better meet the needs of women, young professionals, Black and African American, LGBTQIA2S+, and other diverse communities, the AFP IDEA Impact program is conducting a deep dive to assess, highlight, and address the needs of diverse fundraising professionals.

Programs like the Women’s Impact Initiative (WII) further address critical issues such as gender pay inequity and sexual harassment in the nonprofit sector. The WII creates educational materials on all aspects of gender equity and equality and develops new policies and procedures to be used as a model for the association and charities around the world. Mentorship, executive coaching, and cultural awareness programs to advance women’s issues have been launched as well.

Brenda Asare, president and CEO of The Alford Group shared, “Alford Group is proud to sponsor the mentor program for the fifth consecutive year. We believe that the Women's Impact Initiative Mentoring Program's holistic approach to building a leadership pipeline will help the sector for years to come. Our leaders will be empowered to navigate the complexities of nonprofit organizations, ensuring their resilience and making their missions more possible. A vibrant nonprofit community is essential for helping countless families, children, and individuals realize their full potential. Our leaders are on the forefront of creating pathways to greater opportunities for all.”

The work of AFP and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy is vital to the success of nonprofits across the country. By supporting leadership development and promoting IDEA principles, they help create stronger, more resilient organizations that are better equipped to fulfill their missions. Building a community of trust, inclusion, respect, and equity is paramount to the nonprofit sector’s ability to serve our society. Throughout history, philanthropic endeavors have been the foundation of our communities, lifting them up in times of need and serving the most vulnerable.

We invite you to join us in this important work. Your support of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy is not just an investment in the future of fundraising—it’s an investment in the sector. AFP membership might be seen as something you do for yourself and for your career. Supporting the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy is something you do for all nonprofits, to make a difference in our collective community. Together, we can ensure that nonprofits have the leadership and resources they need to continue making a difference.

The Foundation serves the entire sector, providing education, research, and programs that are vitally needed, but that each individual nonprofit could not provide for itself. Our organization delivers strategic initiatives that advance fundraising nationwide, enabling change to the systems that change the sector. Nonprofits can solve society’s toughest challenges and advance the voices of the most vulnerable, but only with adequate resources. Professional fundraisers are essential to mission fulfillment, and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy is an integral partner in their work.

Please consider supporting the sector with a gift to The Foundation for Philanthropy today.