History of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fairfield County Chapter

Compiled by Barbie McKelvey

Based on recollections from Marie Allen, David Blackburn, Ninette Enrique, CFRE, Kimberly Hawkins, Marianne Hickey, Judy Holden, Stephen Jakab, CFRE, Joy Nazzaro, Joe Staley and Lisa Ferraro

• 1991/2 George Brakeley, Jr. and Jack Schwartz envision a Fairfield County chapter of National Society of Fundraising Executives (NSFRE), which became what is now known as the Association of Fundraising Professionals. They gather together a small group of fundraising professionals in the Fairfield County area to brainstorm starting a chapter. Both George and Jack are sensitive to Development Association of Southern CT (DASC), an existing organization, and include members from that organization on the planning committee. Planning committee members included: William Austin, Mary Franco, Kim Hawkins, Doug Krofina, Barbie McKelvey, Georgianne Phipps, and Michael Valentine, as well as George and Jack.
• 1993 In July, the Board of Directors of NSFRE grants an official charter to new Fairfield County Chapter. George Brakeley, Jr. becomes president.
• 1993 Fairfield County Chapter (FCC) begins with breakfast meetings, held at the Landmark Club in Stamford. All area development professionals are invited to attend. Attendance begins slowly as colleagues learn about the chapter and its benefits.
• 1994 Meetings are moved to Marriot Hotel in Stamford and changed to luncheons. Attendance at meetings grows and membership in FCC increases.
• 1995 Kim Hawkins becomes president after founder George Brakeley steps down.
• 1995 FCC sets aside money for a scholarship fund for NSFRE national conference (Chamberlain Scholarship) and CT Philanthropy Day, which are presented annually to individual(s), generally new in the field, whose organization is has a small budget without training funds.
• 1996 FCC becomes a Metro II Chapter with over 50 members.
• 1996 Chapter meetings continue as luncheons and move to a more central location: Giovanni’s II in Darien.
• 1998 FCC hires an administrator, Marianne Hickey, to assist with growing administrative duties.
• 1998 FCC begins partnership with CT Chapter: the two chapters work jointly on annual CT Philanthropy Day conference.
• 1998 – 2005  Membership roster swells from 92 to over 164.
• 2001 In January, National Society of Fundraising Executives changes its name to Association of Fundraising Professionals.
• 2001 FCC offers Survey Course and CFRE examination in October at Norwalk Community College.
• 2001 As membership expands and more colleagues come from locations throughout Fairfield County, the Board struggles to find a central, affordable location. Chapter meetings moved to The Peppermill, in Westport.
• 2001 In order to highlight more intensely our valued philanthropic individuals, corporations, foundations and youth philanthropy awards are removed from CT Philanthropy Day conference and are presented at a separate event. Organization of Philanthropy Awards luncheon is shared by both FCC and CT chapters.
• 2002 – 2007 FCC receives the prestigious 10-star award from AFP International, which recognizes the chapter’s efforts to increase professionalism within fundraising and public awareness of the role of philanthropy in society. President Steve Jakab attributes the AFP Award to the chapter’s educational activities, diversity initiatives, and professional certification programs.
• 2002 FCC wins the prestigious Gail Freeman Award for strongest Metro II participation in the Every Member Campaign.
• 2002 FCC hosts first Philanthropy Forum at Fairfield University in December. Paulette Maehara, President & CEO of AFP, Patrick Rooney of the Indiana Center on Philanthropy and Hank Goldstein of the Oram Group discuss current trends in the industry. Ms. Maehara attends Chapter meeting to follow and congratulates FCC on winning the prestigious Gail Freeman Award for strongest Metro II participation in the Every Member Campaign.
• 2002 – 2006 Attendance at luncheons soars with the majority attracting well over 60 professionals. The record attendance is 102, set in June 2004.
• 2003 DASC merges with FCC. One board seat is reserved for a former DASC member and DASC members are offered discount membership to FCC. With that merger, DASC gives FCC significant funds to be used for educational programs and workshops.
• 2003 – 2007 FCC offers scholarship to CT Philanthropy Day, in addition to the AFP annual conference.
• 2003 Founders George Brakeley and Jack Schwartz are given emeritus status.
• 2003 FCC becomes a Metro III chapter with 150 members.
• 2003 – 2007 FCC offers audio conferences at various locations. These prove highly successful as measured by attendance, particularly for those professionals with smaller shops. In 2006 and 2007 these conferences are offered on a monthly basis.
• 2004 FCC hosts Second Philanthropy Forum at Fairfield University in March. Bill Shore, author of The Cathedral Within, is the featured speaker.
• 2004 – 2005 George Brakeley donates his significant library of fundraising books to the Chapter. With his approval, the Chapter donates his books along with others recommended by AFP International to Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation’s Resource Center to establish an AFP affiliate library there.
• 2005/07 FCC hosts the CFRE course and examination.
• 2006/07 FCC designs a comprehensive 3-year strategic plan. Implementation will begin in 2008.
• 2007 Chapter meetings moved to Quattro Pazzi in Norwalk.
• 2011 AFP International begins initiative to address diversity.  Board holds Strategic Planning session review and update the Chapter’s Strategic Plan.  Linked In Group and Facebook page were created for AFP Fairfield County Chapter.  Chapter Website is Updated.  National Philanthropy Day Conference host more than 240 attendees.
• 2012 Fairfield County Chapter hosted the AFP Fundamentals in Fundraising Course at Sacred Heart University.  National Philanthropy Day Conference held at the Trumbull Marriott.  Fairfield County Chapter continues to earn the 10 Star Award every year. The Chapter increases dues to $50. Simone Joyaux and Tom Ahern present at the Chapter’s spring seminar.
• 2013 Monthly Luncheon Programs move to the Norwalk Inn. Laura Fredericks presents at the Chapter’s spring seminar event. The Chapter celebrates its 20^th Anniversary with an event at the Franklin Street Works Gallery in Stamford. The Board Expectation Policy was approved.
• 2014 The Board created a new Strategic Plan for the next three years 2015-2018 in line with the new AFP International Strategic Plan. The Chapter By-Laws were revised and approved. National Philanthropy Day Celebration was held at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. Chapter hosted several networking socials throughout the year.
• 2015
  Chapter had a busy year, in addition to our monthly luncheons, we presented the CFRE Course Review in partnership with the CT chapter for 8 students participated.  Presentations were made by many of the Fairfield Chapter members including  Holly Lemoine, Steve Jakab, Patricia Scharr, Lisa Ferraro, Paul Sutera and Lyla Steinbergen.  Many of the attendees have reported passing the exam and earning their CFRE designations
  In November, the Chapter co-hosted another successful National Philanthropy Day Awards Breakfast recognizing outstanding philanthropists and volunteers from throughout Connecticut.
  The Board realigned the chapter committees to better reflect our goals in the strategic plan with a particular emphasis on member benefits, recruitment and retention.

Presidents of Fairfield County Chapter – AFP

• 1993 George Brakeley, Jr.
• 1994 George Brakeley, Jr.
• 1995 Kimberly Hawkins
• 1996 Kimberly Hawkins
• 1997 Kimberly Hawkins
• 1998 Douglas Krofina
• 1999 Richard Popilowski/Douglas Krofina
• 2000 Stephen Jakab, CFRE, & Rhoda Votaw
• 2001 Stephen Jakab, CFRE
• 2002 Stephen Jakab, CFRE
• 2003 Warren Sarasin
• 2004 Marie Allen
• 2005 Joy Nazzaro
• 2006 Victor D’Ascenzo
• 2007 Patricia Scharr, CFRE
• 2008 Patricia Scharr, CFRE
• 2009 Holly D. Lemoine, CFRE
• 2010 Jack Hickey-Williams/David C. Schlakman
• 2011 David C. Schlakman
• 2012 David C. Schlakman
• 2013 Diane Reese Tucker
• 2014 Lisa Ferraro, CFRE
• 2015 Gervais Hearn
• 2016 Gervais Hearn
• 2017 Kristen Runk
• 2018 Colleen Harkey, CFRE
• 2019 Colleen Harkey, CFRE
• 2020 Lorraine Gibbons
• 2021 Sarah Motti
• 2022 Kimberly Pugh
• 2023 Pam Rittman
• 2024 Margaret Reynolds