Professional Development I’ve Found Invaluable at AFP — and You Will Too

When I first started in fundraising in 1998, my boss encouraged me to attend my local AFP chapter’s monthly meetings.

At the time, I had no idea that simple suggestion would help shape my entire career. That suggestion led to nearly 30 years of growth, opportunity, and meaningful colleagues and friendships.

Not long after joining AFP-NJ, I got involved with the annual New Jersey Conference on Philanthropy. What started as raising my hand to volunteer on a committee turned into several years on the conference committee, including serving as conference chair.

In turn, that experience led me to the chapter board and eventually to serving as Chapter President.

Building Professional Relationships

Looking back, I’ve attended almost every AFP-NJ chapter conference for three decades. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Professional development isn’t just about education — it’s about engagement and service.

Yes, the content is valuable. You stay current on trends, hear new ideas, and gain fresh perspectives.

But the real value? It’s the relationships.

The colleagues and connections I’ve built are what keep me coming back year after year. The learning is constant, but the community is what makes it meaningful.

The Privilege to Speak at AFP ICON

For more than 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at AFP ICON, our profession’s international conference. This year is no different, and I’ll be sharing a new talk I’m developing:

Anyone Can Raise $1M or More, in Any Economy — Even You!

Here’s the session description:

Calling all nonprofit leaders who want to raise a $1M or more: In this powerful talk, Amy Eisenstein will challenge the assumptions that keep nonprofits small and reveal the mindset shift that changes everything about leadership and fundraising. Join Amy to learn the fastest path to transformational fundraising for you and your team. (Hint: it’s not events, emails, or celebrities.)

A year from now, the difference between organizations that struggle and those that thrive will not be the economy. It will be the courage to think bigger, to ask bigger, and to believe that transformational gifts are not reserved for other nonprofits — they are available to you.

Note: there’s an outdated description in the ICON program, so go based on the one above.

Attending this year? Let’s Connect!

If you’re attending AFP ICON in San Diego, I’d love to see you!

• Add Sunday at 4:30 PM for my session to your calendar.
• Join me immediately afterwards for a drink and snacks (on me).

Guide Your Own Professional Trajectory

Attending one ICON can absolutely change your professional trajectory.

But it was the years I spent at local chapter meetings, long before I ever attended a national conference, that made the biggest difference.

That’s where I built my foundation of both knowledge and professional community.

Wherever You Are in Your Professional Journey…

Whether you’re just starting out or well into your career, it’s never too late to get involved.

Your future network, knowledge, and opportunities are waiting for you.

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Are you attending ICON this year? What session or speaker are you most excited about? I’d love to hear! Leave a comment below.