Closing the Gap: Women’s Impact Initiative Track at AFP LEAD 2025

Take just a moment and think back on your life 25 years ago. What were you doing? Where were you going? What did you envision for the future?

Let’s face it . . . our world was very different 25 years ago than it is today.  

25 years ago the first mobile camera phone was released — there was no such thing as an Android or iPhone. Today, there are over 7.4 billion smartphones in use, growing at approximately 3.5% every year.  

25 years ago, Facebook didn’t exist. Today, over one third of the world’s population actively use the social media platform on a monthly basis.

25 years ago, less than 7% of the world was online. Today, over half the global population has access to the internet and AI is dramatically changing the way we do things.

In this world, there is one thing that remains constant. Change.    

And yet, in a world full of change, progress, new discoveries, and advancements, the needle has barely moved on the continuing lack of equity in compensation between men and women in the workplace.    

25 years ago, women earned 76 cents for each dollar earned by men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today, women still only earn an average of 83% of what men earn . . . a mere 7% change in 2 and a half decades. The gap persists even for those with college degrees or advanced degrees, with women earning significantly less on an hourly and annual basis. Further, the gender pay gap is substantially wider for women of color.  

With the many sweeping changes in our world today, why have we yet to significantly close the gap and create a more level playing field for professional women?  

In 2018, AFP launched the Women’s Impact Initiative (WII) to assess, address, and highlight the specific issues and challenges women in the fundraising profession face: pay equity, harassment, inclusion in leadership, and more.

Created in accord with AFP’s dedication to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), the Women’s Impact Initiative’s objectives are multi-faceted and action oriented, focused on research, education, program development/implementation, awareness, guidance and support.

WII programs like the AFP/Alford Group Women’s Mentor Program provide executive coaching, webinars, and one-on-one mentoring experiences.  Our Working Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group offers peer support and community among mothers and caregivers in the fundraising sector.

And in concert with WII, AFP partnered with Ohio State University and conducted the Sexual Harassment Survey, a first-of-its-kind study on this challenging issue faced by many women in the profession.  Out of this research came the “Speaking Truth to Power Toolkit,” a resource rich with tools for navigating power imbalances and creating safer, more inclusive work environments.  

And now, building on the first Women’s Impact Summit held in 2018, a new Women’s Impact Initiative track is being launched at AFP LEAD in Atlanta, October 16 –18.

At AFP LEAD, you will discover WII specific educational sessions designed explicitly for women in the profession. You can choose from great opportunities to learn with and from leaders in the field on topics such as:

• Advancing Women, Advancing Philanthropy
• Breaking Barriers and Negotiating Your Worth:  Women in Fundraising Leadership
• Kindness as a Leadership Superpower: Creating Teams That Thrive
• Lead Boldly: Shaping the Future of Inclusive Leadership
• Negotiation Mastery:  How to Ask for What you Deserve
• Own Your Own Power: How Not to Make Yourself Small so Others are More Comfortable
• Owning Your Power: Overcoming imposter Syndrome with Executive Presence

You will meet and form new relationships with other women who share your experiences, hopes, and dreams. And become empowered to make a difference and improve equity in the fundraising profession.

What can you do to make a difference, move the needle, and close the gap?

Join AFP’s Women’s Impact Initiative and help change the landscape of the fundraising profession for the next 25 years! 

And, join the WII track at AFP LEAD! Register today for AFP LEAD 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, October 16 –18. 

You can make a difference and create a more equitable tomorrow!