﻿From Awareness to Action: Advancing IDEA in Fundraising and Nonprofit Leadership
2025-09-10 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | WNC Bridge Foundation, 294 Overlook Road, Asheville, 28803, United States
September Professional Development | From Awareness to Action: Advancing IDEA in Fundraising and Nonprofit Leadership
The slides from this program are available to download as PDF here.
Join Rochelle Jerry, a seasoned nonprofit leader and fundraiser, AFP Global Board Member & IDEA Committee Chair, for a timely and empowering session on the role of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) in shaping the future of philanthropy. Through compelling data, historical context, and actionable strategies, this session will explore how fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and AFP chapters can be catalysts for lasting, systemic change.
Together, we’ll unpack the history of IDEA in America and within AFP, confront current challenges in the fundraising profession, and highlight innovative practices that prioritize equity and inclusion. Whether your chapter is just beginning or deepening its IDEA journey, this session offers the clarity, tools, and courage to lead with purpose and impact.
Outcomes for Attendees:

Gain historical insight into the roots and evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the U.S. and the nonprofit sector.
Understand the current state of IDEA in fundraising, including key data, trends, and systemic challenges.
Explore best practices from AFP Global and local chapters for prioritizing and implementing IDEA strategies.
Learn how to lead courageous conversations and build inclusive cultures within your organization or AFP chapter.
Walk away with practical action steps to support IDEA initiatives in fundraising, governance, and community engagement.
Connect with tools and resources including AFP Global’s IDEA materials, affinity groups, and accessibility toolkit to support ongoing efforts.

Catered lunch is included in your registration fee. Vegetarian and Gluten Free options will be available.
Zoom attendees should plan to join at 11:45 a.m. via the email you receive on Wednesday morning.

Presented by Rochelle Jerry, CFRM. Rochelle is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience specializing in strategic and fundraising development. Her expertise spans grant writing, board leadership, governance, and volunteer engagement. Throughout her career, she has served prominent organizations in leadership roles, such as American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians (AADEP), Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Society of Surgical Oncology/ The Society of Surgical Oncology Foundation (SSO/SSOF), American Society of Plastic Surgeons/The Plastic Surgery Foundation (ASPS/PSF), Indiana Black Expo, Inc. (IBE), and the Indy Arts Council (IAC) raising over $16.1M of new operating funds.
She is the CEO & Co-Founder of Jerry Consulting Group, adjunct faculty member of Indiana University, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Rochelle holds a B.A. in Marketing from DePaul University where she pursued graduate studies in Nonprofit Management. She has further enhanced her expertise with executive
leadership and fundraising development education from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy The Fund Raising School and earned her Certification in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) as well as a Digital Marketing Science Certification from Indiana Wesleyan University. This certification acknowledges the successful completion of the Google Analytics Certification, the Google Ads Search Certification, and the HubSpot Email Marketing Certification.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

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October Crafted Conversations
2025-10-08 16:00 - 17:30 | River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
October Crafted Conversations
Join your colleagues for some “Crafted Conversations” around fundraising topics you want to talk about! When you register, please add your suggestions, which will help shape the social’s theme. Registration includes a drink ticket. NA options will be available.

The event will be held at River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery Street, Asheville NC 28801.

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Philanthropy Summit 2025
2025-11-12 08:30 - 16:00 | A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Philanthropy Summit 2025
AFP WNC is excited to announce the 2025 Philanthropy Summit, which includes the return of our annual National Philanthropy Day Celebration followed by a half-day professional development conference formerly known as Philanthropy Institute.
The day begins with an elegant breakfast and National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony honoring the visionaries, changemakers, and champions of giving in our region. We’ll celebrate those who give, those who raise funds, and those who put resources to work for the greater good—including the presentation of the prestigious Summit Award to a lifelong leader in fundraising and community impact.
Following the Awards Ceremony, the program transforms into a conference-style Philanthropy Institute, complete with a networking lunch, skill-building workshops, and inspiring sessions for fundraisers and community leaders. Attendees will hear a fundraising-focused keynote, dive into practical breakout sessions, and end the day with a dynamic panel of local foundations and funders offering their perspectives on giving in WNC.
Early Bird Registration is open now through October 6—don’t miss your chance to save and secure your seat.

Register as an AFP Member
Register as a Non-member

Cancellation Policy
Refunds and/or credits are not available for or applied to Philanthropy Summit. If payment is ‘pending at the door’ and an attendee is unable to attend, an invoice will be emailed following the program.

December Crafted Conversations & Holiday Social
2025-12-10 16:00 - 17:30 | Highland Brewery, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
December Crafted Conversations
Join your colleagues for “Crafted Conversations” around fundraising topics you want to talk about! This year-end celebration event is free of charge and registration is required. Each attendee will receive a drink ticket. NA options will be available.

Register

February Crafted Conversations
2026-02-11 16:00 - 17:30 | 12 Bones South, 2350 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC, 28704, United States
February Crafted Conversations

Let’s love on each other’s work (Valentine’s pun fully intended!), because fundraising—at its core—is about relationships.
This February Crafted Conversations is all about embodying what makes AFP WNC special: fundraisers supporting fundraisers. Attendees are invited to show up as colleagues—sharing real assets, offering thoughtful feedback, and strengthening one another’s work in real time.
This is not a critique session. It’s a generous exchange of ideas, language, and inspiration, grounded in our shared commitment to Western North Carolina and the communities we serve.
The Ask
We invite each participant to bring one fundraising asset they’re willing to share—polished or still in progress—such as:

A donor email or appeal letter
A sponsorship pitch or flyer
A social media post or campaign graphic
A stewardship touchpoint
A grant narrative excerpt
A board-facing fundraising tool

Printed copies or digital versions on a phone or laptop are both welcome.
Come ready to give encouragement, borrow inspiration, and leave with ideas you can actually use. This is what a community of practice looks like—and we can’t wait to share the space with you.
We hope you’ll join us at 12 Bones for connection, collaboration, and a little fundraiser love.

Registration includes a drink ticket. NA options will be available.

The event will be held at 12 Bones Smokehouse & Brewing, 2350 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704

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AFP WNC Presents: 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
AFP WNC Presents: 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy

Join AFP Western North Carolina for a timely virtual presentation with Dianne Chipps Bailey, Managing Director and National Philanthropic Strategy Executive at Bank of America Private Bank. Dianne will share key findings from the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy, one of the field’s most influential research reports on charitable giving trends, motivations, and behaviors.
This year’s study highlights insights nonprofit professionals can use to strengthen fundraising strategy, deepen donor relationships, and adapt to a changing philanthropic landscape. From giving patterns to volunteer engagement and donor decision-making, attendees will gain practical, data-informed knowledge to support their work in the year ahead.
Zoom link will be sent closer to the event date.

Presented by Dianne Chipps Bailey. Dianne is a trusted advisor to influential, impactful philanthropists and a passionate advocate for the nonprofit organizations they support. Dianne’s current role is Managing Director and National Philanthropic Strategy Executive for Bank of America. Her team delivers customized consulting and advisory services on topics including strategic visioning, mission advancement, high-impact grant making, leadership development, governance and board dynamics. Dianne is a frequent speaker and commentator on topics related to best practices and trends in philanthropy. Her insights have been featured in Axios, Barron’s, Business Insider, Fortune, Town & Country, Washington Post and New York Times, among other publications. In her TEDx Talk, Dianne makes The Case for Fierce Optimism. Dianne has more than twenty-five years of experience working with operating charities, grantmakers and social entrepreneurs.
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April Crafted Conversations
2026-04-16 16:00 - 17:30 | River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
From Transaction to Trust: Community-Centered Donor Stewardship in a Changing Landscape

Join AFP WNC for our April Crafted Conversations as we explore how donor expectations are changing and what that means for stewardship, communication, and retention.
This month’s conversation is designed for fundraisers across experience levels and organizational contexts, with three guided discussion tracks:

Starting Strong (0 – 3 years experience)
Strengthening Systems (4 – 10 years experience)
Leading for Long-Term Trust (10+ years experience)

Each track will be facilitated by an AFP WNC board member with relevant experience and designed to foster practical conversation, shared learning, and meaningful connection.
Come connect with fellow fundraising professionals and leave with fresh ideas you can bring back to your work.

Registration includes a drink ticket. NA options will be available.

The event will be held at River Arts District Brewing (13 Mystery St. Asheville, NC 28801)

Register
