AFP Michiana Chapter Membership Grant Program 

Purpose, Benefits & Expectations 

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Purpose
 The Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP) Michiana Chapter is delighted to offer the AFP Membership Grant Program. This program is an outreach initiative of the AFP Michiana Chapter to allow small, grass roots organizations the opportunity to become familiar with the programs and benefits available as a member of AFP. The Chapter's objective is to offer educational resources and the collective professional expertise of our membership - in accessible and user-friendly formats - to assist individuals and the organizations they serve in building capacity and increasing professional fundraising skills. This, in turn, will allow small organizations the opportunity to establish plans and programs that will provide greater financial resources and allow for continued growth and development.

The Chapter's ultimate goal is to enhance the fundraising abilities of smaller budget agencies by encouraging their leaders and fundraisers to become active members of AFP Michiana Chapter, AFP International and our profession. We believe the result will be of significant mutual benefit, with the Chapter demonstrating AFP's value to those not familiar with the Association, and with recipients helping AFP to become more responsive to their needs and to those of the wider fundraising community.

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Benefits and Expectations of Participation 

Regular attendance is expected in this 12-month program that will provide the following benefits to selected grant recipients: · Discounted admission to Chapter programs (8-10 offered each year) · Complimentary admission to all audio conferences offered by the Chapter · Complimentary admission to Salute to Philanthropy Day · The assistance of a mentor selected from the AFP Michiana Chapter Board of Directors By attending 50% of all AFP Michiana Chapter educational offerings during the initial membership year, participants qualify to apply for a second year of membership to be paid by this grant program. A detailed calendar will be provided and regular attendance is expected. Most program events will be held in the South Bend area.

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Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must: 

• Be responsible for fundraising in a Michiana area 501(c)(3) organization with an annual operating budget of $1 million or less.
• Have the full support of their supervisor and their organization's leadership to participate in this one-year educational program. 
• Be employed by an organization that does not pay for national memberships. 
• Be available to attend the programs and events presented by AFP Michiana Chapter, as detailed in the attached Program Schedule. 
• Not currently be a member of AFP and be open to becoming a paid member at the conclusion of the Membership Grant Program.

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To Apply

 Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and candidates chosen to be grant recipients will be notified in writing. Candidates should complete and submit the Membership Grant Application Form and attach the following: 

• A current job description 
• A current resume 
• An IRS tax exempt letter for your organization 
• A signed statement of support from your supervisor endorsing your participation (see attached template in Section III). The statement should describe your qualities of leadership, responsibility and follow-through, your interest in and commitment to the field and your work, your potential and the potential benefit of this program to your career and organization. Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that his/her supervisor's letter of support arrives with the application or under separate cover.

The completed application and the supervisor's letter of support should be submitted to:

Kate Lee, CFRE, 
Manager of Development 
The Foundation of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center 
4215 Edison Lakes Parkway, Suite 300 
Mishawaka, IN 46545 
Phone: 574-247-8791 Fax: 574-247-8798 
E-mail: leeka@sjrmc.com

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