Scholarship Opportunities

Ralph Chamberlain Scholarship

The Ralph Chamberlain Scholarship provides a scholarship for a member of the Greater Dallas Chapter to attend the annual AFP International Conference. Candidates must be employed as a full-time fundraising professional or spend at least fifty percent of their time fundraising for their employer. Candidates may have never attended a prior AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising as a registered participant. Candidates must agree to complete an online evaluation form about his or her experience at International Conference.

Application Process

Applicants must complete the Greater Dallas AFP Chapter application and return to by Monday, December 2, 2024.
The scholarship will be paid directly to the International Conference registration.
Chamberlain Scholars will receive instructions from AFP International for registering themselves for the conference.
Scholars are responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements, if any.

Ralph E. Chamberlain, CFRE had a long and distinguished career of service to the Association of Fundraising Professionals, beginning in the 1960s and until his death in 1999. Because of his long-time support of the Foundation's annual fund and generous planned gift, the International AFP Board of Directors renamed their Conference Scholar Program in 2000 to honor Mr. Chamberlain's memory and commitment to the Association.

Past Presidents' Scholarship Fund Honoring the Memory of Scott Buchanan and John Davis

Funds were set up at the time of their deaths to honor these two stellar AFP leaders and will be supported in part by the Past Presidents of AFP with gifts made at their semi-annual meetings.

The fund provides scholarships to Executive Directors, Development Officers and other senior staff members of organizations who spend at least 50% of their time in fundraising activities. The Scholarship award may be used for new members to join the AFP organization, for regular memberships, for professional development costs, or other fees related to membership and training. The award will pay up to 50% of those approved costs and the individual or their organization will be responsible for the remainder of the costs.

Scott Buchanan, CFRE, was an advertising and public relations executive turned fundraising consultant. He served as president of the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter and was a member of the Association of Fund Raising Council and the National Committee on Planned Giving (now PPP), as well as a partner in the International Advancement Counsel. He was honored as the 2003 Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter.

John A. Davis, Jr., CFRE, was a longtime fundraising consultant, leader and mentor. A past president of the Dallas Chapter of NSFRE (now AFP), and member of the NSFRE National Board, he was instrumental in the development of the DFW Annual Philanthropy Conference and was named Outstanding Professional Fund Raising Executive by the Dallas Chapter of NSFRE in 1994. The Davis Scholarship Fund was originally established through a bequest from his estate.

Application Process

Applicants must complete an application and submit it to the Scholarship Committee for consideration.
Applicants must identify which specific scholarship (Past Presidents, Chamberlain, or Diversity) is being requested.
Applicants other than Executive Directors must have the approval of their supervisor.
When the recipient is ready to pay for their AFP membership or training, she/he can request to receive the scholarship funds or the recipient may pay for the membership or training and request reimbursement for the costs.
The scholarship recipient must use the scholarship funds within one year of award date.

Note to Applicants: The Chapter has benefited from Scholarship Recipients who have chosen to be active in the Chapter, particularly those who volunteer for Committee or Board Service. We encourage new recipients to consider giving their time and talent to support the Chapter.

Barbara Minor James Friend of Diversity Scholarship Fund

AFP defines diversity as a core value. It is an inclusive concept encompassing, without limitation, race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or identity; religion, nationality, age, economic class, educational level, language, physical, mobility and ability, geography, and marital and parental status. The state of being diverse means having the broadest possible representation of individuals, experiences, and perspectives in all-encompassing terms.

The Barbara Minor James Friend of Diversity Scholarship provides scholarship opportunities to AFP members and non AFP members from diverse populations who spend at least 50% of their time in fundraising endeavors. Scholarships will provide half of the cost (up to $175) of a one-year membership to the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Dallas Chapter. The individual or their organization will be responsible for the remainder of the costs.

Barbara Minor James, CFRE, was a trailblazer in the fundraising profession as the first African-American member of the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter in 1984. She was honored as the 1990 Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter. The Barbara Minor James Friend of Diversity Scholarship was created to honor her and the AFP-Greater Dallas Chapter's national designation as a Friend of Diversity.

Application Process

Applicants must complete an application and submit it to the Scholarship Committee for consideration.
Applicants must identify which specific scholarship (Past Presidents, Barbara Minor James Friend of Diversity) is being requested.
Applicants other than Executive Directors must have the approval of their supervisor.
When the recipient is ready to pay for their AFP membership or training, she/he can request to receive the scholarship funds or the recipient may pay for the membership or training and request reimbursement for the costs.
The scholarship recipient must use the scholarship funds within one year of award date.