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History of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeast Indiana Chapter

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With the Indianapolis chapter acting as sponsor, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeast Indiana Chapter submitted an application for chapter status to the AFP national office on September 30, 2001 and received its charter the following October. The first officers were:

  • Jeffrey Garrett, President
  • Tammy Zonker-Jarosh, VP Programs
  • Jane McGraw, VP, Membership
  • John Milentis, VP External Affairs
  • Marty Kocks, Treasurer
  • Priscilla Greene, Secretary.
The chapter’s first monthly program speaker was Dr. Larry Rottemeyer of Taylor University, on “Marketing for the Not-for-Profit Organization,” on September 26, 2002 at noon at the Holiday Inn Downtown. More than 20 people attended. By the end of 2002, the chapter had 22 members.
 
In 2003, the chapter held its first Board retreat and hosted ten monthly programs. By December, membership had grown to 49 and the chapter won a national award for the greatest percentage of growth in one year in the Metro I division.
 
In 2004, the chapter held its first CFRE Review Course, added audio conferences to the slate of programs, and offered our first Chamberlain Scholarship to attend the 2005 International Conference. With the United Way of Allen County as a partner, we celebrated our first National Philanthropy Day event, where we presented four Outstanding Philanthropists Awards. By the end of the year our membership was at 55.
 
During 2005, the attendance at some of our monthly programs exceeded 40 people. We added the Essentials of Fundraising series to our educational offerings, designed and implemented a website, and offered our first Advanced Professional Executive Forums. The NPD celebration was expanded to a full day of activities, including nationally acclaimed breakfast and luncheon keynote speakers, educational seminars, a trade show of select exhibitors, and a gala awards luncheon celebration. Ten scholarships were offered to attendees. Chapter membership held steady at 55.
 
Over the next few years, the chapter expanded the number of Essentials of Fundraising workshops offered, taking them to locations outside of the immediate Fort Wayne area, and began an active outreach program to solicit and grow membership from a more diverse population. The National Philanthropy Day celebration was expanded in scope, with more workshops and more exhibitors. Chapter membership remains steady at 65 members, 11 of whom hold the CFRE credential.