AFP, Kansas Heartland Chapter

06/16/2026

🚨 AFP ICON Challenge 🚨

Can you identify which of these came from the world's largest fundraising conference?

🐷 A superhero pig teaching kids about philanthropy
🦭 Sea lions as part of a morning run
📞 Advice from nationally known fundraising leaders
🤝 Networking with high school classmates
😲 Museum exhibits on race, beer, and cannibalism
💡 A reminder that stewardship isn't stewardship if you're asking for money
🎤 Sessions that completely changed the way attendees think about donor relationships

Answer: ALL OF THEM.

Join Laura Roddy and Trent Jones on June 24 as they share their favorite moments, biggest surprises, and most practical takeaways from AFP ICON 2026.

Because bringing great ideas back to the Kansas Heartland is what AFP is all about. 🌻

📅 June 24, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Wichita Habitat for Humanity

Register today: https://www.afpkansasheartland.com/event-details/best-icon-takeaways-2

06/14/2026

☕ Fundraiser Poll Time!

You've got a donor visit, a board meeting, and a BIG grant deadline all happening this week.

What's your survival tool of choice?

☕ Coffee
📅 A color-coded calendar
📊 A really good CRM
💛 Pure determination

Tell us in the comments!

06/12/2026

✨ Sponsor Spotlight: Kinetic ✨

Because of partners like Kinetic, our work doesn’t just continue, it grows.

Their support helps fuel meaningful connections, professional development, and resources that empower fundraisers across Kansas to do their best work every day.

They understand that strong nonprofits build strong communities, and we are so grateful to have them alongside us in that mission.

Thank you, Kinetic, for being part of what makes AFP Kansas Heartland stronger.

06/10/2026

🎒 Laura and Trent went to AFP ICON so you don't have to.

Well...technically you should absolutely go if you ever get the chance. 😄

But since not everyone could spend the week soaking up fundraising wisdom in San Diego, our Chapter President and President-Elect brought the best ideas home to Kansas.

What did they learn?
✅ Fresh, practical ideas for planned giving
✅ Ethics lessons from some of the profession's most respected voices
✅ A few fundraising practices that deserve to be retired

And yes, there may be stories involving sea lions, museums, and conference swag.

Join us June 24 and get the highlights without the airfare: https://www.afpkansasheartland.com/event-details/best-icon-takeaways-2

📅 June 24, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Wichita Habitat for Humanity

06/02/2026

⏰ Last chance! National Philanthropy Day nominations close this Friday, June 5!

Do you know an individual, business, foundation, volunteer, fundraising professional, or young person making a difference through philanthropy in your Kansas community?

National Philanthropy Day is one of the most meaningful ways we celebrate the people whose generosity and leadership strengthen the Kansas Heartland.

But they can only be honored if someone nominates them.

Don’t assume someone else will do it. Take a few minutes today to share their story. 🌻

Submit your nomination:
https://www.afpkansasheartland.com/national-philanthropy-day

05/28/2026

⏰ Time is running out to submit your National Philanthropy Day nominations!

Do you know an individual, organization, fundraiser, volunteer, foundation, or young person making a meaningful difference through philanthropy across the Kansas Heartland? Now is the time to help us celebrate them. 🌻

National Philanthropy Day honors the people and partners whose generosity, leadership, and service strengthen our communities every day - but nominations close soon!

📅 The deadline to submit nominations is June 5.

Award categories include:
✨ Outstanding Philanthropist
✨ Outstanding Corporation
✨ Outstanding Fundraising Professional
✨ Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
✨ Outstanding Private Foundation
✨ Outstanding New Professional
✨ Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

Help us recognize the incredible people moving philanthropy forward across Kansas.

Submit your nomination here:
www.afpkansasheartland.com/national-philanthropy-day

05/19/2026

🌻 What a year for philanthropy across the Kansas Heartland.

Our 2025 AFP Kansas Heartland Impact Report is a celebration of the people, partnerships, learning opportunities, and generosity that continue moving our profession — and our communities — forward.

In 2025, together we:
✨ Hosted 10 educational sessions
✨ Welcomed more than 300 attendees to monthly learning opportunities
✨ Grew to 97 chapter members representing 82 organizations across Kansas
✨ Awarded scholarships to support professional growth and access
✨ Celebrated philanthropy through National Philanthropy Day with 272 attendees and 8 honorees

Most importantly, we continued building capacity and competency for professionals advancing philanthropy across our state.

Thank you to every member, Chapter and event sponsor, speaker, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this year possible. We’re excited for all that’s ahead as we continue strengthening philanthropy together. 💛

https://www.afpkansasheartland.com/_files/ugd/917c2b_1c6f776f6e7046c5a11fad7cdfa70da2.pdf

05/15/2026

📣 Have you registered for our May AFP Kansas Heartland learning session yet?

Join us on Thursday, May 28 for:
From Connection to Commitment: Securing Transformational Gifts

We’re excited to welcome Darin Kater to share practical strategies for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts. Drawing from his experience leading high-level fundraising efforts, Darin will explore how to:

✨ Build authentic donor relationships
✨ Align donor passions with organizational priorities
✨ Confidently guide conversations toward transformational giving

Attendees will gain insight into the key elements that inspire significant philanthropic investments and leave with actionable approaches to strengthen their own major gift efforts. 🌻

📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM
📍 WSUFAE Conference Center
1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS

🎟️ Register today:
https://www.afpkansasheartland.com/event-details/from-connection-to-commitment-securing-transformational-gifts



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Join us for our May Professional Development Event!

05/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to AFP Kansas Heartland members and professional fundraisers Trent Jones (First Tee Greater Wichita), Felicia Saunders (Wichita Habitat for Humanity), and Courtney Sendall (WSU Tech Foundation) on being recognized as part of the Wichita Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 class! 🌟

We love seeing professional fundraisers recognized as leaders in our community - because this work truly is leadership work. Fundraisers are relationship builders, strategists, storytellers, advocates, conveners, and changemakers who help fuel the missions that strengthen our region every single day.

This recognition is a powerful reminder that philanthropy doesn’t happen by accident. Behind thriving nonprofits and stronger communities are passionate professionals helping connect generosity to impact.

Congratulations to Trent, Felicia, and Courtney on this well-deserved honor. We are proud to have each of you as part of the AFP Kansas Heartland community and grateful for the leadership you bring to the nonprofit sector across Kansas. 💛🌻

05/01/2026

🌟 Do you know someone making a difference in our community? 🌟

Now is the time to nominate them for National Philanthropy Day Awards!

These awards celebrate the individuals, organizations, and leaders who are shaping generosity across the Kansas Heartland - and we need your help to recognize them. 💛

You can submit nominations in the following categories:
• Outstanding Philanthropist
• Outstanding Corporation
• Outstanding Fundraising Professional
• Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
• Outstanding Private Foundation
• Outstanding New Professional
• Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

Think about the people and partners who inspire you - and take a few minutes to share their story.

⏰ Nominations are due by June 5th

👉 Submit your nomination here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeH-ZtdpYmF_b_Owjm1xj_SUUQM2tC_Ny2j7nmCZpCgeA1Xlg/viewform

Let’s celebrate the generosity that makes our communities stronger. 🌻