Dr. Ruth Hansen Appointed as 2025-2026 AFP Foundation Research Council Chair

Advancing knowledge about the nonprofit sector, giving behavior, and the work of fundraises has played an important role in the growth of the profession since AFP’s (NSFRE) earliest days. For many years, AFP’s Research Council has provided guidance and input on the profession’s need for research. Now under the banner of the AFP Foundation, the Research Council is a key resource and leader for research about the fundraising profession. 

Under this mission, the Council supports and encourages research on fundraising through various competitive grants (the Levis research grant, the Emerging Scholar Award, and the Skystone Partners Research Prize), convenes academics and practitioners semiannually for robust conversation, disseminates research findings through a variety of channels, and engages members and researchers to identify research topics that would benefit the field. 

For many years, Lori Overmyer, MBA, CFRE, has chaired the Research Council, bringing insights from her consulting practice working with a diverse set of nonprofit organizations. The AFP Foundation thanks Ms. Overmyer for her invaluable and enthusiastic service. And, it is pleased to announce that Dr. Ruth Hansen, associate professor at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has been appointed as the new Research Council chair, serving a two year term. Dr. Hansen is a two-time recipient of the AFP Foundation Levis Research grant and was named a 2024 AFP Emerging Scholar. Her research is informed by her decades of experience as a fundraiser and she cares deeply about translating research for practice to strengthen philanthropy. “It matters what questions you ask,” said Hansen. “We have an opportunity to bring philanthropic practice into deep conversation with research practice, and nurture seeds that will help us strengthen the nonprofit sector.”

“I appreciate how much that Ms. Overmyer has done for the Research Council, and I’m excited for the future under the leadership of Dr. Hansen.  Our profession continues to face challenges, and it’s research on giving and donor behavior that helps us make more advances toward best practices in fundraising,” said Catherine M. Connolly, CFRE, MBA, chair of the AFP U.S. Foundation for Philanthropy Governing Board. 

Over the last year, the Research Council and the AFP Foundation have been particularly focused on identifying pressing and emerging trends and issues impacting fundraisers specifically, and the nonprofit sector, generally. Members of the Council have provided invaluable insights from their unique vantage points. Through a series of robust, focused conversations, understanding of the “next big thing” for the sector has coalesced around the idea of donor psychology as it relates to a decline in giving. Of special interest is the role that trust plays in giving. As additional programming around the topic rolls out this year, we are guided by the following question: “What about the donor experience is causing the decline in giving?” We look forward to having a deeper understanding of this issue that will guide educational opportunities for members and future advocacy work in 2026 and beyond. 

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The AFP Foundations for Philanthropy champion philanthropy and volunteerism by strengthening the nonprofit sector’s current and future leaders, welcoming diverse new voices into the charitable world, and rigorously upholding the highest standards of ethics. The Foundation currently focuses on developing fundraising leadership programs, supporting research on critical issues in the profession, building a stronger sector through a more diverse workforce, and renewing public trust in charitable organizations. More information about the Foundation can be found at https://afpglobal.org/USFoundation
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