Professional Scholarships

The AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter promotes the professional development and career advancement of its members through educational programming and by offering a network of professional resources that can help members generate philanthropic support for their organizations.

We recognize that financial constraints can limit educational opportunities for our members. We are proud to help offset the cost through our scholarships.

Five types of scholarship awards are being offered:

  • The Presidential Membership Scholarships cover a full professional membership to our chapter for a year (up to 5 will be awarded)
  • Fundamentals of Fundraising Scholarships assist in the tuition cost for the spring and fall sessions of our Fundraising master class (2 will be awarded)
  • Seeds Scholarships Provides a Small Organization AFP Membership (up to 3 will be awarded)
  • Chamberlain Scholarship covers the registration fee and travel to the 2024 AFP International Conference – Typically March/April (1 will be awarded)
  • CFRE Scholarships covers CFRE Refresher Course fee AND reimbursement of the exam fee for recipients passing the CFRE exam within one year of taking the Refresher Course.  (up to 5 will be awarded)
  • YP Scholarships covers a full membership to support those who are newer to a career in the development field. (up to 5 will be awarded)
2023 Scholarships Closed

Presidential Scholarship

(Closed until 2024)

“I am excited to be connected with more development professionals and learning opportunities through this AFP Membership. I am deeply appreciative that scholarships of this kind exist, allowing me to grow professionally without straining my organization’s budget. Thank you, AFP!”

~ Laura Berkemeier

The Presidential Membership Scholarship pays tribute to the excellent leadership Kila Hanrahan provided to the Greater Cincinnati Chapter during her 2021 presidency. This gift of appreciation is a meaningful expression of acknowledgement of a job well done and honors Kila’s commitment to professional fundraising and the community. This scholarship award, a one-year AFP Professional Membership, can be redeemed immediately.

In awarding this unique scholarship, the Scholarship Committee will look for candidates who have the potential to excel in the fundraising profession. It is a condition of the award of this one-year scholarship that the recipient contributes back to the Greater Cincinnati Chapter as a committee member.

Scholarship selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Candidate is employed by a non-profit organization operating within the Greater Cincinnati area served by the AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter.
  • Candidate is primarily responsible for fundraising within the nonprofit organization for which he/she is employed.
  • Demonstrate a financial need. Strong consideration will be given to individuals employed by organizations whose budgets are constrained and/or the individual would be responsible for paying their own membership dues.
  • Scholarship is open to a new or existing member.  Candidate must want to advance philanthropy by practicing ethical and effective fundraising that changes our community for the better
  • The individual has not received an AFP scholarship in the past three years
  • Interpersonal skills and ability to engage with others. Does the candidate exhibit a tendency to proactively and enthusiastically build productive relationships with people?
  • Scholarship recipient is required to volunteer on an AFP Committee

2023 Presidential Scholarship Recipients:

  • Laura Berkemeier, Life Learning Center
  • Sherri Allen, Gateway to Grace Foundation

Fundamentals of Fundraising Scholarship

(Closed until 2024)

“Thank you so very much for your time, consideration, and award of the Fundamentals of Fundraising scholarship. I am so very excited to be among a great group of development professionals as I continue to grow my knowledge and experience in the non-profit world. “Unlock your potential and soar to new heights. Embrace the extraordinary within you”

~ Heather Kuhn

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.

Scholarship selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Must be an AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter member in good standing
  • The individual has not received an AFP scholarship in the past three years
  • The number of scholarships to be given each year will depend on availability of funds and the number of qualified applicants
  • 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
  • Scholarship recipient is required to volunteer on an AFP Committee

2023 Fundamentals of Fundraising Scholarship Recipients:

  • Tiarra Comer, FII National dba UpTogether
  • Heather Kuhn, Santa Maria Community Services

Seeds Scholarships

(Closed until 2024)

“As the new Executive Director at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center.  I am eager and determined to take my organization to the next level of excellence in programming and value to the community. This endeavor all depends on my ability to successfully fundraise for the organization so I want to have every opportunity to learn and grow.  I am so grateful for the SEEDS scholarship. I believe I can help the board/staff grow stronger, become a more cohesive team around a clear identity and vision and help staff understand why it’s important to show impact. This membership provides the energy infusion and structure to ensure I have the skills to meet our financial and impact goals.”

~Ramona Toussaint 

The AFP Chapter Seeds Scholarship provides a Small Organization AFP membership.  The AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter is committed to helping small nonprofit organizations get the seed money they need to secure an AFP membership.  This seed money is an investment to help small nonprofits build their fundraising toolbox.  It’s our desire that these fundraising professionals will become long-term members through the kick start funding of a Seeds Scholarship.

Sponsored by:

Scholarship selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Candidate is employed by a small non-profit organization with a budget under $1M operating within the Greater Cincinnati area served by the AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter
  • Candidate is the person primarily responsible for fundraising within the nonprofit organization for which he/she is employed
  • Demonstrate a financial need. Strong consideration will only be given to individuals employed by small nonprofit organizations whose budgets are constrained.
  • Scholarship is open to a new or lapsed member. Candidate must want to advance philanthropy by practicing ethical and effective fundraising that changes our community for the better.
  • The applicant/nonprofit organization has not been an AFP scholarship recipient in the past three years
  • All scholarship recipients are required to volunteer on an AFP Committee

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

2023 Seeds Scholarship Recipients:

  • Amanda Sinclair, Changing Gears
  • Derek Chiteve, Sisters Awake For Action
  • Ramona Toussaint, Wyoming Fine Arts Center

Chamberlain Scholarship

(Closed until 2024)

“I am honored and grateful to AFP Cincinnati for selecting me as the Chamberlain Scholarship recipient.  Because of this scholarship, I will have access to the ICON Conference which will place me in a space to garner valuable knowledge, networking opportunities, and access to information about the current industry trends. The opportunity will also enhance my business skills to grow my business and contribute to the success of the nonprofit organizations for which I assist.  Thank you for this amazing opportunity to further my professional growth and development.”

~ Tephra Fields

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 2024 AFP International 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 International Conference.

The scholarship recipient is responsible for registering for the Conference. For more information about the International Conference visit www.afpicon.com.

Guidelines:

  • Must be an AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter member in good standing
  • 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
  • The individual has not received an AFP scholarship in the past three years
  • All scholarship recipients are required to volunteer on an AFP Committee

2023 Chamberlain Scholarship Recipient: 

  • Tehpra Fields, Built to Last Nonprofit Solutions, LLC

CFRE Scholarship

(Closed until 2024)

“I am beyond honored to receive the CFRE scholarship. The Cincinnati chapter is one of the only chapters in the country that provides such an amazing opportunity to obtain a scholarship and provides a world-class CFRE refresher course. The CFRE will showcase your abilities, knowledge, and passion for the fundraising profession and will display how much of an asset you will be for any organization.”

~Jarrod Williams, MBLI, CFRE Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

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. For reimbursement, applicants must pass the exam within one year of attending the CFRE Refresher Course.

Guidelines:

  • Must be an AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter member in good standing and engaged in the practice or study of philanthropy
  • Scholarships will only be available for first-time applicants
  • The applicant has not been an AFP scholarship recipient in the past three years
  • Applicants must submit documentation of passing the exam within one year of attending the CFRE Refresher Course.
  • The amount and number of scholarships to be given each year will depend on availability of funds and the number of qualified applicants
  • After passing the CFRE exam, the recipient should 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
  • All scholarship recipients are required to volunteer on an AFP Committee

2022 CFRE Scholarship Recipients: 

  • Sara Kahmann, Women Helping Women
  • Jarrod Williams, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Young Professional Scholarships

(Closed until 2024)

“I am so excited to join the AFP Cincinnati Chapter. Being a Young Professional Scholarship recipient will give me an opportunity to meet like-minded people and learn more about the field. I am thrilled to be able to make new connections and help communities in the Greater Cincinnati area.”

~Daria Denysenko

The AFP Young Professional Scholarship supports those who are newer to a career in the development field. Five YP membership scholarships will be awarded to individuals who are looking to further their professional development, gain knowledge and take part in all that AFP has to offer to its members.

The YP Mission Statement: The YP Committee looks to integrate and develop the voice of all young professionals across the Greater Cincinnati chapter.

“Young Professional” is someone who is 30 years of age or younger.

Guidelines:

  • Available to AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter individual members in good standing and engaged in the practice or study of philanthropy looking to renew their membership OR an individual looking to pursue a new membership with AFP Greater Cincinnati Chapter
  • The applicant has not been an AFP scholarship recipient in the past three years
  • This scholarship is limited to young professionals: Someone who is 30 years of age or younger.
  • All scholarship recipients are required to volunteer on an AFP Committee

2023 Young Professional Scholarship Recipients: 

  • Daria Denysenko, Ohio Valley Voices
  • Hannah Holderby, Cincinnati Boychoir
  • Sarah Farwell, Cincinnati Song Initiative

Questions: please email admin@afpcincinnati.org

2023 Scholarships Closed

**Note: The amount and number of scholarships to be given each year will depend on availability of funds and the number of qualified applicants