BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan Chapter - ECPv6.17.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan Chapter
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://afpwm.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan Chapter
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T093000
DTSTAMP:20260804T165911Z
CREATED:20260803T175455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T165911Z
UID:10000152-1787301000-1787304600@afpwm.org
SUMMARY:Keeping Donors\, Keeping Your Sanity
DESCRIPTION:Description: \nFundraising is changing\, and so are the challenges we face every day. From keeping donors engaged to preventing burnout and connecting with the next generation of philanthropists\, today’s development professionals are being asked to do more than ever before. \nJoin the Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan for an insightful and energizing session with Tamela Spicer\, Chief Changemaker at The Intentional Catalyst. Drawing on decades of experience in fundraising\, nonprofit leadership\, and philanthropy\, Tamela will share practical strategies and fresh perspectives to help you navigate three of the biggest challenges facing our profession today: \n\nDonor retention: Building lasting relationships in an increasingly competitive fundraising environment.\nBurnout: Protecting your passion while thriving in a demanding profession.\nNext generation donors: Understanding what motivates emerging philanthropists and how to inspire their support.\n\nWhether you’re new to fundraising or a seasoned professional\, you’ll leave with actionable ideas\, renewed energy\, and strategies you can put to work right away. \nPresenter: \nTamela Spicer is the principal of The Intentional Catalyst\, LLC\, where she helps nonprofit organizations strengthen their impact through strategic planning\, philanthropic advising\, storytelling\, and change management. Her career has included leadership roles with The Salvation Army\, the Arthritis Foundation\, Flat River Outreach Ministries\, and the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University\, where she also taught fundraising\, strategic planning and management\, and grant writing in the master’s program. \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\nLocation: Humane Society Of West Michigan\, 3077 Wilson Dr NW\, Walker\, MI 49534
URL:https://afpwm.org/event/keeping-donors-keeping-your-sanity/
CATEGORIES:Friday Breakfast Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://afpwm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-01_48_37-PM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="AFP West Michigan":MAILTO:areeg@hollandhospital.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T074500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T090000
DTSTAMP:20260804T170008Z
CREATED:20260804T165821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T170008Z
UID:10000153-1790322300-1790326800@afpwm.org
SUMMARY:Engaging Your Board in Fundraising: Practical Strategies That Actually Work
DESCRIPTION:Description: Most nonprofit boards understand they have a role in fundraising\, but many organizations struggle to turn good intentions into meaningful action. This session will provide practical\, proven strategies for engaging board members in ways that match their skills\, comfort levels\, and relationships—without expecting everyone to become a solicitor. \nDrawing on 30 years of campaign and fundraising consulting experience\, Keith Hopkins will share real-world approaches for recruiting\, training\, motivating\, and supporting board volunteers to become effective ambassadors\, advocates\, and fundraisers. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can implement immediately to strengthen board engagement and improve fundraising results. \nPresenter: Keith Hopkins has dedicated nearly 30 years to helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their fundraising and achieve ambitious goals. Throughout his career\, he has served in higher education and healthcare in teaching\, administration\, and advancement leadership before spending eight years with a regional fundraising consulting firm serving nonprofits across the Midwest. \nHis broad experience spans more than 300 nonprofit organizations representing virtually every sector\, including education\, healthcare\, faith-based organizations\, human services\, arts and culture\, museums\, libraries\, camps\, athletic organizations\, and community nonprofits. Collectively\, these organizations have raised more than $750 million with Keith’s guidance and counsel. \nIn 2007\, Keith founded Hopkins Fundraising Consulting\, a boutique firm specializing in campaign readiness assessments\, feasibility studies\, capital campaign planning\, and campaign counsel. He is recognized for providing practical\, candid advice that helps organizations build fundraising capacity\, engage volunteer leadership\, and successfully complete major fundraising initiatives. \nKeith is an active community volunteer and a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids. He has served as Chair and Vice Chair of the West Michigan Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and previously served on the Executive Board of the Thornapple Valley Baseball League. He has completed advanced fundraising coursework through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and holds degrees from Hope College and Ohio University. \nBreakfast is included. \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\nLocation: Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown by IHG Grand Rapids\, MI
URL:https://afpwm.org/event/engaging-your-board-in-fundraising-practical-strategies-that-actually-work/
CATEGORIES:Friday Breakfast Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://afpwm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-4-2026-12_40_26-PM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="AFP West Michigan":MAILTO:areeg@hollandhospital.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261030T074500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261030T090000
DTSTAMP:20260804T170309Z
CREATED:20260804T170250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T170309Z
UID:10000154-1793346300-1793350800@afpwm.org
SUMMARY:Growing Sustainable Support – Monthly Giving and Peer-to-Peer Strategies
DESCRIPTION:Description: \nThis session breaks down the strategies and benefits of recurring giving and crowdfunding\, exploring what makes them uniquely effective and how they can be an important component of a sustainable fundraising model. \nWe’ll explore what motivates donors to give in this way\, share real‑life examples from\norganizations already using these strategies effectively\, and outline practical steps to implement and grow them in your own organization. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how these approaches can become a predictable\, reliable source of funding—and how to build the internal capacity to sustain and scale them. \nPresenter: \nLaura Kruisenga: As President & CEO\, and owner of Kennari\, Laura provides the strategic vision driving the firm’s growth and long-term sustainability. Since joining the company in 2010 as the founder’s first hire\, she has been a cornerstone of its development\, eventually taking full ownership in 2022. Beyond her executive leadership\, Laura remains deeply committed to client success\, working directly with organizations to architect and implement high-impact fundraising growth strategies. \nBreakfast is included. \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\nLocation: Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown by IHG Grand Rapids\, MI
URL:https://afpwm.org/event/growing-sustainable-support-monthly-giving-and-peer-to-peer-strategies/
CATEGORIES:Friday Breakfast Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://afpwm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-4-2026-12_45_48-PM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="AFP West Michigan":MAILTO:areeg@hollandhospital.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261105T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261105T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T201401Z
CREATED:20260330T173146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T201401Z
UID:10000148-1793867400-1793885400@afpwm.org
SUMMARY:National Philanthropy Day
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE\n\nCelebrated across the United States\, NPD is a longstanding tradition in our region where we recognize and honor the generosity\, leadership\, and commitment of those who strengthen our community through philanthropy. \nSCHEDULE \n8:30am – 11:30am: Mini-Conference (includes light bites and coffee) \n-Session A: 9:00am – 10:00am \n-Session B: 10:15am – 11:15am \n11:30am – 12:00pm: General Networking \n12:00pm – 1:30pm : Luncheon & Awards
URL:https://afpwm.org/event/putting-the-ai-in-fundraising-a-facilitated-discussion/
LOCATION:Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park\, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49525
CATEGORIES:Friday Breakfast Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://afpwm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NPD-Logo.png
ORGANIZER;CN="AFP West Michigan":MAILTO:areeg@hollandhospital.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T074500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T090000
DTSTAMP:20260804T171428Z
CREATED:20260804T171320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T171428Z
UID:10000155-1795160700-1795165200@afpwm.org
SUMMARY:The Loneliness Epidemic - How Nonprofits are Uniquely Poised to Help
DESCRIPTION:Description: \nThe Loneliness Epidemic continues to loom large. People crave more connection and meaning in their lives but are unsure where to start — and intimidated about the process. Nonprofits to the rescue … This session explores how nonprofits are uniquely poised to: \n\nAddress isolation in creative and meaningful ways\nPosition these solutions as benefits to donors and volunteers\nPosition these solutions as novel and effective stewardship opportunities\n\nDiscover how savvy nonprofits can present these opportunities to donors\, volunteers and prospects as unique benefits — and use them as low-cost stewardship strategies \nYou’ll leave this energizing conversation with: \n\nData to support the case for including this concept in your messaging and fundraising communications\nSpecific ideas and examples of how to envision and position your organization as a welcoming third space for constituents\nHow to involve current volunteers\, donors and board members\nThe right questions to consider as you position your nonprofit as a connector and hub for meaningful interaction and friendship\n\nPresenter: Monica Tiffany\, M&C\, Creative Director/Principal \nMonica Tiffany specializes in developing effective communications strategy for companies and organizations. She has written for Shriners Hospitals for Children\, National Geographic\, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Red Cross\, to name a few. \nMonica served as VP of Marketing and Communications for the Association of Fundraising Professionals—Greater Kansas City Chapter. She also served on the Reach Out and Read KC Community Council and Jackson County CASA board of directors. A Mizzou graduate\, Monica currently serves on the MU English Leaders Development Board helping to promote the university’s English Department and connect recent graduates with career opportunities. She’s on the board of directors for both Literacy KC and The Arts Council of Johnson County and is a member of WIRED KC. \nAs a professional creative director and copywriter\, she speaks to both local and national audiences about copywriting\, messaging and creative strategy. Prior to joining M&C\, Monica spent five years in nonprofit association management. \nLink for participants will be shared prior to the presentation via the email provided. \n  \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\nLocation: Online; Link for participants will be shared prior to the presentation via the email provided.
URL:https://afpwm.org/event/the-loneliness-epidemic-how-nonprofits-are-uniquely-poised-to-help/
CATEGORIES:Friday Breakfast Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://afpwm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-4-2026-12_51_59-PM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="AFP West Michigan":MAILTO:areeg@hollandhospital.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR