Fundraising, Authenticity, and Impact How long have you been involved in the nonprofit sector? How and why did you get into fundraising? I’ve been in the nonprofit sector for 13 years, with nearly a decade focused specifically on development and fundraising in LGBTQIA+ missions. I had no plans to be a fundraiser, but my first … Read more
2026 President’s Welcome “I’m especially excited to welcome new voices, uplift marginalized perspectives, and grow the next generation of fundraising leaders.” Watch our Chapter President’s welcome message below! Hi everyone! I’m Matthew Easterwood, my pronouns are he/they, and I’m thrilled to be serving as your 2026 Chapter President for AFP Golden Gate. If we haven’t … Read more
Season of Giving: Creative Holiday Campaigns from Bay Area Nonprofits The holiday season is a special time for generosity and creativity in the Bay Area nonprofit community. Beyond year-end giving, many organizations launched imaginative campaigns to connect with donors, volunteers and supporters in meaningful ways. Looking at some of this season’s standout efforts, a few … Read more
Santa’s Wishlist for Bay Area Fundraisers: What Nonprofits Are Hoping For This Holiday Season The holiday season is the perfect time to think about what Bay Area nonprofits are wishing for. From more engaged donors and stronger community connections to creative campaigns and helpful tools, these “wishes” highlight what fundraisers hope will make a meaningful … Read more
Board Member Spotlight Jarae Clark Executive Director, City of Dreams AFP Golden Gate Chapter How long have you been involved in the nonprofit sector? How and why did you get into fundraising? I have been in the nonprofit sector for about a decade. My education is in Social Work and I spent the first five … Read more
Holiday Giving in Review: Lessons for Fundraising Professionals By Andrew Allanson The holiday season is one of the most important times of the year for fundraisers. Year-end appeals, Giving Tuesday campaigns, and seasonal donor outreach often determine how nonprofits close out their annual budgets. Looking back at this year’s holiday giving, a few clear trends … Read more
IDEA Fellow Spotlight The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Fellowship (IDEA) is a year-long program for fundraisers from underrepresented communities, including fundraisers of color (African-American, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian), LGBTQ and/or gender nonconforming fundraisers, Indigenous, other underrepresented communities, and emerging fundraisers who work at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits. The program is intended to recruit, retain, and educate … Read more
AFP Golden Gate Chapter Trailblazers Column (November 2025) Our monthly Trailblazers column shines a light on our members and other Bay Area development professionals who dedicate their lives and careers to creating a world of generosity and positive social good through fundraising. — Michael Stein and Andrew Allanson. Marisa Melo, CFRE — Founder, Elevar Strategies … Read more
AFP Golden Gate Chapter Trailblazers Column 6 (October 2025) Our monthly Trailblazers column shines a light on our members and other Bay Area development professionals who dedicate their lives and careers to creating a world of generosity and positive social good through fundraising. — Michael Stein and Andrew Allanson. Rita Fuerst Adams, Charitable and Philanthropic … Read more
How to Turn Halloween Spirit into Fundraising Success By Andrew Allanson Halloween is more than costumes and candy. It is also a perfect opportunity for nonprofits to engage supporters in fun, creative ways. With a little seasonal spirit, you can boost participation, raise awareness, and bring in much needed funds for your mission. Here are … Read more