August 2024 Newsletter
President's Message
Greetings Friends!

Earlier this month I attended a webinar that shared the Giving USA 2024 results. Giving USA is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

In 2023, there was $557.16 billion in charitable giving in the United States. Interestingly enough, when adjusted for inflation, 2021 remains the best year of giving on record since they started this research in 1950. 

Comparing the past 40 years of giving from 1983 to 2023, giving by foundations grew from 6% to 19% and individual giving (which includes donor-advised funds) dropped from 82% to 67%. 

Another interesting finding was that since 1983 giving to human services has gone up from 6% to 14% and giving to religious causes which is still the largest slice of the pie has declined from 63% of giving to 24%. 
 
Key takeaways from the presentation: 
  • Online giving has grown to more than 10% of giving
  • Legacy giving, donor retention, and expanding the pipeline are crucial to nonprofit fundraising success
  • Trust is the core of philanthropy

So, are you looking at your donor data? How do your donors give? How do they communicate with you? What is your retention strategy? And, most importantly, do your donors trust your organization?  

Food for thought.
Hope to see you at our August 8th program!
Loren

P.S.: To learn more about the report: https://givingusa.org/ and if that doesn’t work, send me an email and I will send you the webinar slides.
P.P.S.: I am facilitating the Spokes Development Roundtable on August 22 over the lunch hour. Please see below for how to register. AFP members participate for FREE! More information is below in the newsletter!
Join the SLO Chapter of AFP Today!
Are you employed by, donate to, or serve on the board of a San Luis Obispo County nonprofit? If so, please consider joining our chapter. With your membership, you will enjoy a wealth of career-building programs, educational resources, networking opportunities and exclusive member discounts. Learn more.

For our nonprofit friends with small operating budgets under $2 million with less than 2 full time fundraising staff, you may want to consider a Small Nonprofit AFP membership. It’s only $125 plus a $60 chapter dues and is transferable if your development professional leaves, as opposed to the Individual Professional membership, which is $290 plus $45 in chapter dues.  
Programs
Coming Up Next Month
Success in Q4: Planning Effective Giving Tuesday & Year-End Campaigns
Thursday, August 8, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
*program begins at noon*

Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church Fellowship Hall
221 Daly Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA

Tickets
General Admission $35
Member Price w/ Discount $25
Last day to purchase tickets is August 5
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During this event, you will gain valuable insights and strategies to maximize your fundraising efforts during the crucial fourth quarter. Learn from experts about planning and executing successful Giving Tuesday initiatives and EOY campaigns that can significantly boost your organization's donations.

Our esteemed panelists include:
  • Emily L'Heureux, Chief Executive Officer at Woods Humane Society
  • Jenny Meyers, Director of Philanthropy, Operations and Communications at French Hospital Medical Center Foundation 
  • Michael Kaplan, Community Engagement Director at Transitions-Mental Health Association
Thu, Aug 8, 2024 11:30 AM PST
Success in Q4: Planning Effective Giving Tuesday & Year-End Campaigns
221 Daly Ave, San Luis Obispo
Recap of the June Mixer

AFP SLO County members had a wonderful time at our June Mixer held at 15 Degrees C Wine Bar & Restaurant. It was the perfect opportunity to connect and network with fellow fundraising professionals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Attendees enjoyed mingling, unwinding, and fostering valuable connections within the fundraising community. The event was filled with engaging conversations, delightful wine, and a shared passion for philanthropy. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next event, where we can continue to strengthen our professional bonds and support each other's efforts to make a positive impact.
Additional Events
Spokes Resources for Nonprofits
Development Directors Roundtable

Thursday, August 22, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Admission $10
Registration fee waived for AFP members with discount code
*You do not need a Spokes login to register. Simply select the "Click here to register online" button then close the login pop-up window. Input your information and include the coupon code (iamamember) before registering!

Held via Zoom
Link sent upon registering - limited to 12 participants
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This roundtable is a collaboration between Spokes and the Association of Fundraising Professionals of San Luis Obispo County. August's Spokes roundtable is being facilitated by our very own Chapter President, Loren Leidinger!

Spokes roundtables are facilitated, peer networking and problem-solving opportunities held monthly. A hallmark of the roundtables is confidentiality. The explicit norm is “what’s said in the roundtable stays in the roundtable.” This encourages mutual support and a candid exchange of ideas. Participants are required to have their video on.
National Philanthropy Day 2024
National Philanthropy Day NPD logo
Join us for a celebration of philanthropy within the
San Luis Obispo County Community!
November 14, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.


Every year the Association of Fundraising Professionals celebrates National Philanthropy Day to recognize the generosity in our community and the work of fundraisers like you.
Thank You Sponsors!

Becoming a sponsor for National Philanthropy Day 2024, is a great way to not only show support of our chapter, but also support our community. Click below to learn more about the variety of sponsorship opportunities and benefits.
Membership
Member Updates

We welcomed the following new and renewed members to the chapter since May 1st:

Vanessa Nichols, The Foundation at Hearst Castle
Jeremy Riley, Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation
Katrina Cathcart, SLO CASA
K. Samantha Cardenas, Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation
Emily L’Heureux, Woods Humane Society
Debby Nicklas
Krista Elmore
Elise Kathryn Erb
Chapter Job Center
AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter proudly connects individuals and organizations through job opportunities in development and fundraising on the Central Coast. Click here to learn more about each posting. 
Lumina Alliance
Development Director
AFP General Chapter Support Fund
Your donation to the San Luis Obispo County AFP General Chapter Support Fund will support a variety of initiatives aimed at fostering professional growth and networking opportunities for fundraising professionals in our community. If you'd like to support our chapter financially, please see the donation link below for more information. Thank you for your generosity!
Invite Your Board Members
Attending an AFP meeting with a board member is a great way for you to connect with them in a different setting and in a different way. Think about who you could invite to the August meeting and bring them along!
Board of Directors
AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter