Scholarships – Member Exclusive

Fundamentals of Fundraising Scholarship

Deadline:  March 14, 2025

Two full scholarships are offered to attend AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter’s spring or fall session of Fundamentals of Fundraising. This course is a fundraising master class covering various aspects of development. It is designed for newcomers to the field and senior non-profit professionals who want to learn more about fundraising.

After participating in the Fundamentals of Fundraising Course, scholarship recipients should submit an article to the AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter newsletter sharing how the course was beneficial to them.

“As someone new to fundraising, I am extremely grateful to be given an opportunity to participate in the Fundamentals of Fundraising course through AFP. Our current membership with AFP has allowed me to set personal and organizational fundraising and development goals, to make valuable connections with others in the field and to advance our organization’s provision of equitable access to, and delivery of, mental health services through Animal-Assisted Intervention. I plan to utilize the skills I learn in this course to help underserved members of our community overcome financial barriers as well as deeply rooted stigmas around mental illness/mental health that prevent access to treatment services.” ~ Benjamin Crotte

2024 Fundamentals of Fundraising Scholarship Recipients:

• Jenna Montes, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
• Benjamin Crotte, Animal Companion Counseling

Chamberlain Scholarship

Deadline:  September 12, 2025

The Chamberlain Scholarship program is awarded through the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, and honors Ralph E. Chamberlain, CFRE. Mr. Chamberlain had a long and distinguished career of service to the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The Chamberlain Scholarship covers the cost of registration for the 2026 AFP ICON Conference (typically held in March/April) while the matching chapter scholarship provides up to $1,200 for travel and lodging. All recipients must be first-time attendees of the ICON Conference.

The scholarship recipient is responsible for registering for the Conference. After attending the conference, the scholarship recipient will submit expenses for reimbursement. For more information about the International Conference visit www.afpicon.com.

Additional Chamberlain Scholarship Guidelines:

• Candidate must be employed as a fundraising professional or, if candidate is an executive director, a substantial amount of time must be devoted to fundraising
• Candidate has never attended an AFP or NSFRE international conference on fundraising as a registered participant (unless as a member of the Conference Host Committee)
• Recipients must agree to submit an article to the AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter newsletter sharing how the International Conference was beneficial to them

“I am honored to have been selected as the Chamberlain Scholarship recipient. This opportunity will enable me to attend ICON 2025, where I will have the privilege of networking with top fundraising professionals, exploring industry trends, and acquiring invaluable knowledge to enhance my career. I am eager to share my experiences and contribute to the growth of the AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter.” ~ Kaylee Sturwold

2024 Chamberlain Scholarship Recipient: 

• Kaylee Sturwold, St. Joseph Home

CFRE Scholarship

Deadline:  March 14, 2025

The AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter offers up to five scholarships that cover the cost of the CFRE Refresher Course PLUS reimburse recipients for the CFRE exam fee of $700 upon passing the exam.

Five CFRE Scholarships are available each year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all scholarships have been awarded.

Additional CFRE Scholarship Guidelines:

• Must maintain active AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter member status throughout the entirety of this scholarship.
• Applicant is engaged in the practice or study of philanthropy.
• Applicants must pass the exam within one year of receiving the scholarship.
• Scholarship winners may attend the CFRE Refresher Course, but is not required for exam fee reimbursement.
• After passing the CFRE exam, the recipient will submit documents to Admin for reimbursement.
• The recipient will submit an article to the AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter newsletter sharing their experience and offer advice to those who are interested in taking the exam.

“I am so grateful to be a recipient of the CFRE scholarship. Through the CFRE refresher course, I am excited to expand my fundraising knowledge, learn more about the CFRE exam, and keep up with the new industry changes.  I look forward to becoming a CFRE and showcasing all I have learned through the AFP Cincinnati Chapter.” ~Zachary Corbett

2024 CFRE Scholarship Recipients: 

• Zachary Corbett, Maple Knoll Communities
• Sydney Pepper, Children’s Law Center
• Lyndy Rohe, People Working Cooperatively
• Sara Pomeroy, NKU
• Ali Winters, Freestore Foodbank