H. Art Taylor Named President and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals
CONTACTS:
Natalie Paskoski, Manager of Communications, (434) 236 – 5583, Natalie.Paskoski@afpglobal.org
(Arlington, Virginia) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the largest association of fundraising professionals in the world, is pleased to announce that after an extensive search, it has named H. Art Taylor as its new president and chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2025.
A respected leader in the nonprofit sector, Taylor brings decades of experience in philanthropy, governance, and nonprofit accountability. He most recently served for 23 years as president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, where he championed charity transparency and ethical fundraising practices, spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in donor trust and technology, and established himself as a leading voice in nonprofit leadership.
Taylor’s career reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. Under his leadership at the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, he expanded charity evaluations, introduced the Accredited Charity Seal as a symbol of trustworthiness, and launched innovative tools such as AskGive.org and GiveSafely.io to empower donors and enhance charitable giving. His dedication to fostering collaboration among nonprofits has led to the creation of vital resources like the Give.org Donor Trust Report and Advancing Collaboration, shaping best practices in the sector. Taylor has also shared his expertise as a lecturer at Columbia University and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Beyond his leadership in nonprofit accountability, Taylor has played a critical role in advancing ethical fundraising practices, donor trust, and nonprofit impact. He is the creator and host of The Heart of Giving Podcast, a nationally recognized show that explores the transformative power of generosity and service, featuring conversations with philanthropic leaders, donors, and change-makers. He also co-authored The Overhead Myth letters, challenging misconceptions about nonprofit efficiency, and collaborated with GuideStar and Independent Sector to create Charting Impact, a framework to help charities communicate their effectiveness. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, he has testified before Congress, contributed to numerous media outlets, and served on boards for organizations such as Franklin & Marshall College, the Salvation Army National Advisory Board, and the Mobile Giving Foundation.
“The AFP Global Board undertook a comprehensive CEO search to find our next leader. Throughout the process, I was impressed with Art Taylor’s leadership, presence, vision for AFP and ability to listen and respond authentically,” said Roger Ali, MBA, C.Dir., CFRE, AFP Global board chair. “He is collaborative and understands the challenges our members are facing in these unusual times. I look forward to working with Art to respond to the needs of our members and better serve the profession. I’d also like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Joyce Mitchell-Antoine, chair of the AFP CEO Search Committee, and the members of the committee for their expertise and commitment to the process.”
"I am deeply honored to step into the role of CEO for the Association of Fundraising Professionals,” said Taylor. “This is a pivotal moment for our profession, as fundraisers continue to be the essential bridge between societal needs and resources. I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for the nonprofit sector to AFP, working alongside our members to advance fundraising excellence and innovation."
A Certified Public Accountant, Taylor holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College, a J.D. from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, and a certificate in Blockchain Strategy from the University of Oxford’s Said Business School. His extensive background in governance, fundraising effectiveness, and donor engagement makes him a transformational leader for AFP and the broader philanthropic community.
Taylor succeeds Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, who has served as president and CEO for the past seven and a half years. “As president and CEO, Mike used his financial expertise to strengthen AFP’s operations and position the organization for future growth,” said Ali. “This foresight was crucial, as it allowed us the flexibility and the stability to help guide our profession through numerous challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, record-breaking inflation, and a shifting political landscape. We are grateful for Mike’s leadership and dedication to AFP and our members, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.” said Ali. Geiger will remain with AFP through the end of April to help ensure a smooth transition and a successful AFP ICON conference.
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Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. The association works to advance effective and ethical philanthropy by providing advocacy, research, education, mentoring, collaboration and technology opportunities for the world’s largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP’s more than 26,000 members in over 220 professional chapters raise over $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, go to afpglobal.org.
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