Our Strategic Plan

The Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Austin Chapter prepared our inaugural strategic plan in 2009, with the goal of providing the Chapter with an attainable plan to serve its members and our community and to reinforce our mission to facilitate ethical and effective philanthropy in Central Texas. Since the development of that first strategic plan, our Chapter has continued to reevaluate and update our plan to guide the work we're doing in the years to come.

AFPGAC 2021-2023 Strategic Plan Update

In 2020, we embarked on building our next three-year strategic plan, using the foundation created by previous plans to further address the opportunities and challenges facing the philanthropic sector and determining how AFPGAC can support members and the community. Developed in partnership with AFP Global and with input from dozens of AFP members and nonprofit leaders, our 2021-2023 Strategic Plan identified four strategic pathways that are guiding our Chapter over the next three years. Our hope is that these strategic pathways will contribute to delivering outstanding value to our membership and building a culture of inclusivity and belonging for our Chapter and fundraising community.

 

 

2021-2022 Progress

PILLAR 1: Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access (IDEA)

  • IDEA Action Plan adopted and to Board roles and responsibilities
  • Created a separate line item in annual budget for IDEA initiatives
  • Created dedicated membership scholarships for Fundraisers of Color
  • Retained Full Humanity Consulting to conduct climate and culture survey, host two-day IDEA strategic board retreat, and guide development of a Strategic Equity Plan to increase equity in Chapter policies, practices and operations
  • Engaged most racially/ethnically diverse board in Chapter history
  • Launched Fundraisers of Color Affinity Group

PILLAR 2: Provide Relevant & High Quality Fundraising Education

  • Launched Values & Skills Institute to increase variety, scope and access to additional education offerings
  • Led successful Legislative Action Day in Spring 2021, in partnership for the first time with other regional and statewide philanthropic and nonprofit advocacy organizations
  • Relaunched in-person Chapter Meetings and One-Day Conference and established partnership with Nonprofit Austin at ACC to host education programs
  • Simplified membership scholarship application 
  • Doubled budget for membership scholarships and expanded them to include free admission to all AFPGAC education programs

PILLAR 3: Increase Capacity & Strengthen Community

  • Mentorship program re-envisioned and launched in Summer 2021 as Member Matching Program
  • Established quarterly “Get to Know Your Chapter” virtual orientation sessions to build community and increase awareness of AFP Global and local resources
  • Increased membership by 15% in 2022
  • New member onboarding currently in development
  • Relaunched in-person community building events (monthly coffees, happy hours)
  • Philanthropy Day continues to be highly visible, more diverse, and well-funded event for chapter 

PILLAR 4: Champion Ethical Fundraising Practices

  • Value & Skills Institute hosted virtual session on CFRE certification
  • Implemented process to ensure every AFP education program provides CFRE credit
  • Raised profile of fundraising ethics through annual participation in October Ethics Awareness Month
  • Thank you notes mailed to EDs/CEOs acknowledging their commitment to ethical fundraising practices through investment in AFP for staff

For 2023

Our goal this year is to take what we have learned over the past 3 years and adapt our strategic plan accordingly. Rather than start from scratch again, we’re going to take what we’ve learned and build upon it. Please see below to learn more about AFPGAC’s successes, and continued areas of improvement for the year to come. We are excited for you to be a part of it with us.

Get Involved

AFP’s Strategic Planning Committee is actively seeking new members to support implementation of our plan. For more info or to get involved, please email Director of Strategic Planning, Heather Henry at [email protected]