By Gary Laermer

In my first article for Fundraising Matters I would like to begin by thanking my fellow Board members for their continuing support of the Chapter and our important work.  I recognize their efforts to move our agenda forward and make a powerful statement about their belief in the impact philanthropy professionals have on our City. 

I would also like to welcome our 2018 class of new members to the Board of Directors:

Veronica Bainbridge, Director of Development, Madison Square Park Conservancy

Mindee Barham, Vice President of Development, Grameen America

Leah Heister, Senior Director, CCS Fundraising

Carmel Napolitano, Senior Consultant, DRG, Inc.

Toby Pearce, Director of Development, Hudson River Park Friends

Michael Rodgers, Vice President Development & Philanthropy, New York Road Runners

Susan Shapiro, President, shapiroassociates

Our collective work over this year will be centered on our commitment to our members and the all philanthropy professionals in New York City.

The Chapter board is working to ensure the programs we provide are focused on:             

• Providing best-in-class professional development and education services
• Consistently elevating those working in the philanthropy ecosystem
• And celebrating the extraordinary impact that philanthropy professionals have in our great City, regardless of the size of the agency, zip code or nonprofit cause they are working to support.

Fundraisers make a vibrant New York City possible. AFP-NYC trains fundraisers to create more sustainable organizations that fuel this city and contribute to the lifeblood of its social safety net, its revenue and employment.  Funding the missions of our social service, educational, healthcare, cultural and all other nonprofits is more important than ever, and working with donors to fulfill their aspirations for change and improvement makes us a powerful force for good. 

By demonstrating the importance of trained development professionals, setting standards for professionalism, and training development staff, AFP helps nonprofits to raise more money so they can do more, be more effective in fulfilling their missions, and contribute to New York City.  Thank you to all philanthropy professionals, service providers, consultants and partners for being engaged in this critically important effort.

What better way to express the spirit and power of philanthropy than through the magic of storytelling! This intriguing event not only shared the success stories of five outstanding nonprofit professionals, but underscored the unparalleled power of storytellingin touching the hearts and minds of those who support the 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States. In an age where many funders have placed an ever-increasing emphasis on data and metrics, it is eye-opening to learn that science indicates inspirational stories are far more likely to motivate generosity than numbers. Studies of the brain have shown that compelling narratives light up the brain making potential donors highly receptive to stories that move the heart and provide a genuine struggle with which to identify. In the end, for fundraisers it’s a balancing act—providing the data that many funders require, while never forgetting that if you are seeking to ignite the spark of philanthropy—it’s all about the stories!

From Susan Shattuck

Happy New Year! I hope 2018 is a good year for us all.  As my term as Chapter President ends, I want to thank you for your support of Fundraising Matters and of the Chapter.  These past two years have whizzed by and I’ve truly enjoyed them.

My first article for this newsletter was January 8, 2016 and in it I thanked my predecessor Mark Hefter for his terrific work and said I hoped I could leave the Chapter in as good shape for the next President.  With the help of the board, members and sponsors, I believe we’ve accomplished a lot.  A few of these efforts include creating an advocacy program in Albany to represent the nonprofit sector; development of a dynamic and holistic Diversity and Inclusion program; building on and enhancing our many programs including Fundraising Day, NPD NY Stories in Philanthropy and year-round Mentoring. 

I’m delighted to turn over the reins to the Chapter’s new President, Gary Laermer. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Gary as our President-Elect and board member, and of receiving his wise and discerning assessments. I can say with confidence the Chapter is in excellent and capable hands.  

From Gary Laermer:

I would like to begin by thanking my fellow Board members and committee chairs for making me feel so welcome as I transition into this new role as Chapter President.  I must also acknowledge and thank Susan Shattuck for her long-standing commitment to the Chapter and the entire profession.  Susan is an inspirational leader who has helped advance our work tremendously.

I look forward to getting to know our members even better and learning from each of you, how the Chapter can best serve you.  I hope you’ll get to know me as well.  As the Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer of the YMCA of Greater New York, I have great respect for those who have chosen a professional role in philanthropy.

In the coming months, I will seek your input and advice on how the New York City Chapter can continue to provide each of you and your organization’s even greater value for your involvement.  We’ll focus our collective work on further strengthening our position as the area’s leading professional development organization for fundraisers and as the “go to” source on issues of philanthropy, as well as continuing to elevate our profession.

Thank you for your confidence and please accept my sincerest best wishes for a great 2018!

The New York City Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-NYC) has elected new leadership to take office on January 1, 2018. Ascending to the office of president is Gary Laermer, Sr. VP and Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Greater New York.  Susan Shattuck, who served the chapter for 2 years, transitions to Immediate Past President. Succeeding Laermer as president-elect is Steven G. Jacobson, Principal of Jacobson Consulting Applications, Inc. Craig Shelley, VP of Orr Associates, Inc. takes office as treasurer, while Jill Scibilia, VP, Philanthropy & External Relations with the Girl Scouts of Greater New York  continues as Secretary.

AFP-NYC also welcomes seven new Directors to the Board, elected by membership referendum to one-year terms starting January 1. They are: 

• Veronica Bainbridge, Director of Development, Madison Square Park Conservancy
• Mindee Barham, Vice President of Development, Grameen America
• Leah Heister, Senior Director, CCS Fundraising
• Carmel Napolitano, Senior Consultant, DRG Executive Search
• Toby Pearce, Director of Development, Hudson River Park Friends
• Michael Rodgers, Vice President, Development and Philanthropy, New York Road Runners
• Susan Shapiro, President, shapiroassociates

In addition, the Chapter is welcoming new staff leadership as executive director Holly Koenig steps down. Chapter associate director Alexandra Cantor Owens will take over as Executive Director on January 1. Owens is a senior account executive with Kellen. Koenig, a VP at Kellen, remains on the team for strategic counsel.

The new leadership joins current Board of Directors members Immediate Past President Susan Shattuck, Co-Founder and Principal, Special Events Unlimited; Gregory Boroff, Chief External Relations Officer, City Harvest; Richard Brown, RB Consulting; JuWon Choi, Director of Learning, Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.; Hank Goldstein, President,  The Oram Group, Inc.; Edward Griffin, Director of Alumni Relations, Trinity School; Margaret Holman, President, Holman Consulting, Inc.; Vikki Jones, Planned Giving Officer, Weill Cornell Medicine; Trish Lambe, Associate Vice President for Special Events, The New York Botanical Garden; Brigid Lang, Executive Director, Grace Institute; John Linder, Consultant; Richard Martin, Director of Development, Ronald McDonald House of NY, Inc.; Robin Merle; Jennifer Moore, Director of Institutional Advancement, Young Audiences New York; Sarah Nannery, Director of Development, Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey; Denise Nelson, Chief Development and Communications Officer, FPWA; Sunil Oommen, Senior Director of Development, Human Rights First; Michael Ostroff, Founder and President, The Ostroff Group, Inc.; Poonam Prasad, Founder and President, Prasad Consulting & Research; Nancy Raybin, Senior Consultant & Principal, Marts & Lundy; Andrea Schwartz, President, ADS Creative & Mailing; Cathy Sharp, Director of Development, Care for the Homeless; Arik Thormahlen; Kerry Watterson, Senior Director of Development, Year Up; Honorary Directors, Mark Hefter, Associate Vice President of Planned Giving, American Technion Society and Penny Stoil, Founder and Director Project Plus, Inc.