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For 60 years, AFP has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. Learn more about AFP, its activities and people, and how you can be involved.

As a group of independent and philanthropic consulting firms from across the nation, we are committed to ensuring that nonprofit organizations of all sizes can engage experienced, qualified counsel by strengthening their abilities, growing the resources, and expanding the knowledge and networks of our members.

It is how today’s fundraiser shows accountability, service, and commitment to making a difference for good. We believe the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is vital to a fundraiser’s professional growth and that it sets the standard for ethical practice in the sector.
More than 8,200 fundraising professionals from over 25 countries and territories are currently CFREs. They work throughout all segments of the nonprofit sector including healthcare, education, and the arts, where they bring adherence to rigorous standards to all aspects of their work.

Established in 1956, The Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed (GuideStar 2017). In 2017, the Foundation reported in its 2016 fiscal year that 921,000 users took advantage of its free tool, Foundation Stats. The data is free and available to the public. It provides invaluable insight into grants and sources of funding.

For over 60 years, fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, donors and volunteers, scholars, and other individuals who work in or with the charitable sector have counted on Giving USA to provide the most comprehensive charitable giving data available. No other source provides the context for annual giving like Giving USA.

Giving USA’s long history is the result of its time-tested adherence to using the most rigorous methodologies available for estimating total charitable giving in the U.S. each year. This includes incorporating the most up-to-date data and methodological approaches available within the estimating procedures it uses year after year.

Its research, conducted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy since 2000, estimates all giving to all charitable organizations across the United States. These national estimates do not show the changes any one organization or geographical region might observe—they calculate total giving by about 53 million households across America, approximately 16 million corporations that claim charitable deductions, over a million estates, and about 82,000 foundations. The donations go to about 1.1 million IRS-registered charities, plus a conservative estimate of 300,000 American religious organizations.

To elevate the practice of charitable gift planning by driving awareness, defining excellence, and ensuring a strong community of professionals and organizations.