Mike's Monday Message: Happy New Year: Get Involved with AFP in 2025
Happy New Year!
Surprise!!! I’m still here – at least for a little while longer.
If you’ve been reading AFP’s updates in 2024, you may know that I had initially intended to retire at the end of the year.
However, as the search for the next president/CEO is still underway, the AFP Global board has asked me if I would consider to staying on until the new CEO is hired and brought on board. While this was not in my plans, I’ve agreed to stay on as president and CEO to provide continuity and leadership during this incredibly important search and transition period.
With that being said, I want to kick things off by recognizing the incredible work that all of you put in, throughout this past year, but particularly the year-end giving season. I know those last few months are always a whirlwind for our community, filled with countless appeals, heartfelt donor conversations, and meticulous planning. Your dedication makes a world of difference, helping organizations fulfill their missions and transform lives.
Thank you for your passion, persistence, and professionalism. Your impact is essential to driving meaningful change and strengthening our communities. I hope you’ve had a chance to celebrate your successes and take a well-deserved moment to recharge.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for AFP and the fundraising profession. We’re starting off this year with renewed energy and numerous opportunities for you to further your career, grow your network, and enhance your professional skills.
1. Attend AFP ICON 2025: ICON is more than a conference—it’s a transformative experience. This year’s gathering in Seattle promises inspiring keynotes, practical sessions, and unparalleled networking. Registration is now open, so be sure to secure your spot early and take advantage of our advance rate discount, which ends February 7!
2. Share Your Story: AFP member spotlights are a recurring series of interviews with AFP members, highlighting the unique individuals and career paths that exist within the fundraising profession. In 2025, we'd like to hear from even more of you! Complete our new submission form, or forward it to a colleague who you would like to see highlighted this year. We look forward to sharing your stories!
3. Invest in Your Professional Growth: If you’re not already a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), make 2025 the year you earn your credential. AFP members receive a 20% discount on CFRE initial certification and recertification fees. There are also numerous courses to help you sharpen your skills before the exam, such as AFP’s Fundamentals of Fundraising or the CFRE Test Prep course being offered at AFP ICON.
4. Listen to AFP’s Podcast: Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast, highlights the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of the next generation of nonprofit leaders and serves as a resource for new fundraising professionals. Join us as we delve into the essential strategies, insights, and experiences that shape successful fundraising careers. Look for new episodes on the third Thursday of every month.
5. Advocate for the Profession: Advocacy is a key pillar of AFP’s mission, and we plan to continue this important work in 2025. In the U.S. we will be promoting passage of the Charitable Act, legislation which would restore and expand the universal charitable deduction, providing a much-needed incentive for individual giving from small donors. You can get involved by submitting the form on our website to reach out to your Members of Congress or donating to the AFP PAC. In Canada, we will continue to push for a dedicated federal secretariat for the charitable sector. Check out AFP Canada’s government relations priorities.
6. Stay Connected: Engagement is at the heart of AFP, so make sure you join the conversation! Our members-only discussion forum, AFP Connect, is the perfect place to seek advice from your fellow fundraisers and share your expertise with our community. You can also follow AFP Global on our social media channels, such as LinkedIn, for updates, insights, and educational opportunities.
7. Engage with Your Local Chapter: For many AFP members, chapter engagement is the first step to getting more involved at the global level. If you’re not already active within your local AFP community, find out more about the opportunities near you.
As we dive into this new year, I encourage you to set one goal for your professional development or engagement with AFP. Whether it’s attending ICON, posting on AFP Connect, or checking out a chapter event, every step you take strengthens our community and advances philanthropy worldwide.
Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place through your work. Here’s to an amazing 2025!
As always, please feel free to email me at mike.geiger@afpglobal.org or connect with me directly on X at @AFPMikeGeiger. I’d love to hear from you.