The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals responsible for generating philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable organizations. Founded in 1960, AFP (formerly the National Society of Fund Raising Executives) advances philanthropy through its nearly 30,000 members in more than 200 chapters throughout the world. For the past 50 years, AFP has been the leader for professionalism in fundraising. AFP advances philanthropy by enabling people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fundraising.
To promote stewardship, donor trust, and effective and ethical fundraising, AFP:
- promotes consistent and high standards of professional practice to ensure donor trust and guard against abuses that can occur in the fundraising process.
- requires members to comply with a Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice (known as the "Code") that is designed to provide concrete guidelines for fundraising professionals in philanthropic organizations. The Code is supported by an enforcement process managed by the AFP Ethics Committee.
- creates and maintains the Donor Bill of Rights, a document that outlines what donors have the right to expect from charitable organizations to which they contribute.
- created and administers a partnership certification program through Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International. The CFRE credential, held by thousands of fundraising professionals, verifies experience and knowledge of fundraising and philanthropy. AFP also provides the Advanced Certified FundRaising Executive (ACFRE) credential for senior professionals.
- provides educational fundraising programs including the annual International Conference on Fundraising; the Hemispheric Congress on Fundraising in Latin America; Leadership Academy; CFRE Review Course; and AFP Webconferences.
- provides information through the Fundraising Resource Center, a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, speeches, and audio/visual materials on fundraising and the nonprofit sector.
- encourages research on fundraising and philanthropy, including the annual State of Fundraising Survey, the sector’s first look at how organizations fared in their fundraising each year.
- publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Advancing Philanthropy, featuring current issues in philanthropy and a book series covering topics related to fundraising and charitable giving.
- raises public awareness and interest in philanthropy and charitable giving through programs such as National Philanthropy Day®, Youth in Philanthropy, and the AFP Awards for Philanthropy.