National Philanthropy Day

What is fundraising about?

The act of raising funds? Bringing people together? Inspiring others to get involved?

Yes, yes, and yes. Those all very important aspects of fundraising. But for me they all lead to one word that really defines what we do: Impact.

Our ability to work with communities around the world to create impact that changes the world.

That’s why we celebrate National Philanthropy Day. And I mean celebrate—because our sector and our profession have created so much impact and done so much for the world, and sometimes, we take that for granted.

Imagine what our world would be like without philanthropy. Seat belts. Drunk driving and underage drinking laws. Treatments and therapies for diseases and conditions once thought incurable. Equal rights for all. Those are things that would not have happened without charities pushing those causes—and in many cases, continuing to push for those causes.

This month, over 100 AFP chapters will host National Philanthropy Day events involving more than 50,000 people. Each one is celebrating the impact and the change we have helped to make locally in our communities and around the world.

AFP Global is recognizing honorees from different chapters throughout the month of November in our Daily newsletter and on our official National Philanthropy Day website: https://afpglobal.org/NPDLove. If you’d like us to recognize one of your chapter’s honorees, email their information to npd@afpglobal.org.

In addition, countless charities are now celebrating National Philanthropy Day in their own way, honoring their own volunteers and or using the day as part of their fundraising events. I am excited about that because it means word is getting out about National Philanthropy Day and the spotlight is shining even brighter on the importance of giving, volunteer and fundraising. That’s impact in a different way, but one that’s just as important for our work.

Fundraising is the IMPACT profession, and today, on National Philanthropy Day, I want to thank all of you for the work, the sweat, and the sacrifices you make for your causes.

You do so much for your organization—bringing people together, inspiring them to action and raising funds and support. Your efforts change the world, in ways big and small, through the impact you create every single day.