2025/2026 Collective Impact Fellowship: Fellow Application

Introducing the inaugural year of the Collective Impact Fellowship Program. This program has combined the current AFP NWA chapter scholarship and mentor/mentee programs to create leadership opportunities for individuals to sit at the table, participate in training, mentorship, networking activities, be a future board leader, and join as full-time members. This will ensure our chapter is representative of our entire community and enrich all our learning experiences. In addition, inclusion will have a wide-reaching impact within the populations of donors, volunteers, and clients with whom fundraisers work.

The Collective Impact Fellowship is a year-long program for fundraisers from underrepresented communities, including fundraisers of color (Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Hispanic, Asian), LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented communities. The Collective Impact Fellowship will provide participants with full access to all the benefits of Chapter membership, including:

Scholarships - Fellows should apply for up to (3) of the below scholarships.

Membership & Orientation

12-Month Membership to AFP Global and the Northwest Arkansas Chapter. Each member will be awarded one of the following named followships: Clay Edwards Fellow, Chamberlain Scholar Fellow (AFP Global), IDEA Champion Fellow (AFP Global), Allison McElroy Fellow, Ten Star Gold Fellow (AFP Global) Fellow, Collective Impact Fellow

Virtual Fellowship Orientation Session: Meet NWA Chapter board members, learn about program commitments and opportunities, sign up for activities, and engage in a community-building exercise with your fellowship class.

Professional Development & Education

Mentoring Program: Fellows are paired with a senior AFP mentor for one-on-one guidance throughout the year, tailored to their experience, interests, and organizational needs.
Six AFP Global Webinars provided through the Northwest Arkansas Chapter.
Five to Six Chapter Luncheon Workshops on a variety of topics, held bi-monthly.
Bi-Annual Summit Educational Event – A full-day program featuring expert speakers and professional development sessions.
Access to AFP Global's Online Educational Resources for continued learning.

Networking & Community Engagement

Two Networking Mixers with AFP general membership.
Two Webinars with Networking & Discussion Sessions for fellows to connect and engage.
Volunteer & Attend National Philanthropy Day, celebrating and recognizing outstanding contributions to philanthropy.

In addition to all the training benefits, fellows will have opportunities to network, meet.leaders in the fundraising and philanthropic sector and participate in leadership. opportunities.

Eligibility: The Fellowship seeks to identify and engage voices that are not currently engaged in the broader nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization fundraising community. Individuals from underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, new nonprofit professionals, emerging fundraisers, and those who work at smaller, under-resourced nonprofits are encouraged to apply. You do not need to be a current member to apply to the Association of Fundraising Professionals organization to be eligible for this opportunity.

Program Timeline

May 21 – June 20, 2025 - Applications Open

July 23rd – Advisor/Fellow Pairing Announcement (Social Media & Newsletter)

August 13th - Fellowship Orientation at 12:00 PM (Virtual) & August 20th - Chapter Educational Event

September 3rd - Lunch & Learn at 12:00PM & Fellow/Advisor Session (1-on-1)

October 15th - Chapter Educational Event

November 15th - National Philanthropy Day Event

December - Fellow/Advisor Session (1-on-1)

January 2026 - Chapter Educational Event (TBD)

February 2026 - AFP NWA Chapter Social & Fellow/Advisor Session (1-on-1)

March 2026 - Chapter Educational Event (TBD)

April 2026 - Fellow/Advisor Session (1-on-1)

May 2026 - Chapter Educational Event (TBD), Fellowship Celebration, and applications Open for 2026–2027 Fellowship Program

June 2026 - Current Fellows/Advisors help recruit and select new fellowship class

For more information or questions, contact Kayla LaCavera - AFP NWA Chapter Board Member, at kayla.lacavera@peelcompton.org

Your Contact Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

Phone *

City *

State *

Zip *

Scholarship Descriptions

Clay Edwards Scholarship (AFP NWA Chapter)

Clay Edwards Scholarship includes AFP ICON conference registration and up to $1,000 towards travel and lodging. Strong preferences will be given to first-time attendees of the AFP International Conference. The Clay Edwards Memorial Scholarship is a Chapter scholarship, named in honor of Clay Edwards, who was associate vice-chancellor of development at the University of Arkansas. Clay was instrumental in the success of the university’s $1 billion “Campaign for the Twenty-First Century.” He always had time to mentor and encourage new fundraisers. He was a committed member of AFP and served on the Chapter Board of Directors.

The recipient is expected to use the awarded funds exclusively to attend the next ICON, AFP International Conference. If they become unable to attend, they must immediately notify the Chapter President and return the scholarship funds. The awardee must register for the ICON Conference by AFP International during the early bird conference rate and submit travel expense receipt following the conference. Reimbursement conference registration and travel expenses up to $1,000 will be paid out in July for the conference year. The recipient is required to write a letter to Sandy Ewards highlighting their experience from the conference by June 30 of the conference year. One will be awarded.

Chamberlain Scholarship (AFP Global)

Chamberlain Scholarship and Clay Edwards Scholarship Application- this application is for both the AFP Foundation Chamberlain Scholarship and the Chapter Clay Edwards Memorial Scholarship. You will apply once for an opportunity to receive one of the two scholarships. AFP Foundation Chamberlain Scholarship (Conference Registration Fee Paid, plus $1,000 Travel and Lodging. Must be a first-time attendee at the ICON AFP International Conference.

AFP International provides the awardee of the Chamberlain scholarship the cost of the registration fee for attending the Spring 2024 AFP International Conference except for a $10 processing fee. The Northwest Arkansas Chapter reimburses an additional $1,000 to defray other costs of attending the conference. The recipient is required to write a letter to AFP Chapter Board of Directors highlighting their experience of the conference by June 30 of the conference year. One will be awarded.

[The Chamberlain Scholarship program honors Ralph E. Chamberlain, CFRE. Mr. Chamberlain had a long and distinguished career of service to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), beginning in the 1960s when the organization was formed, until his death in 1999.]

Allison A. McElroy Fellowship (AFP NWA Chapter)

Supported by AFP NWA Chapter co-founder, Allison A. McElroy, one of the following three types of membership scholarships to defray the costs of joining or continuing an AFP membership. One will be awarded.

IDEA Champion Fellowship (AFP Global)

Intended for fundraising professional who self identifies as coming from an eligible diverse community as defined by AFP (African-American/Black, Asian, Disabled, Faith-based, LGBTQ+, Hispanic, Jewish or Rural) or fundraising professional/fundraising executive director employed by an eligible AFP diverse community where 50% or more staff members are from that diverse community or work for a nonprofit organization that serves a 50% or more eligible AFP diverse community client base. One will be awarded.

Ten Star Gold Scholarship (AFP Global)

AFP of Northwest Arkansas awards three types of membership scholarships including Small Nonprofit Organizational Membership, Young Professionals Scholarship, or Professional Membership to defray the costs of joining the Association of Fundraising Professionals. One will be awarded.

Collective Impact Fellow Scholarship (AFP NWA Chapter)

AFP of Northwest Arkansas awards three types of membership scholarships including Small Nonprofit Organizational Membership, Young Professionals Scholarship, or Professional Membership to defray the costs of joining the Association of Fundraising Professionals.Five will be awarded.

Organization Name * The field Organization Name is required.

Current Title * The field Current Title is required.

I am a current member of AFP NWA * The field I am a current member of AFP NWA is required.

Organization's Annual Budget * The field Organization's Annual Budget is required.

Organizations Annual Development Budget * The field Organizations Annual Development Budget is required.

Organization's Professional Development Budget * The field Organization's Professional Development Budget is required.

Percentage of time fundraising in current position * The field Percentage of time fundraising in current position is required.

Length of time fundraising for current org * The field Length of time fundraising for current org is required.

Total years in fundraising. Note full vs part time * The field Total years in fundraising. Note full vs part time is required.

a Select up to three scholarships to apply for: * The field a Select up to three scholarships to apply for: is required.

Need Statement - Please provide a brief statement describing why you and/or your organization would benefit from an AFP NWA Chapter Scholarship. * The field Need Statement - Please provide a brief statement describing why you and/or your organization would benefit from an AFP NWA Chapter Scholarship. is required.

I am a full-time fundraising professional or spend at least 50% of my time fundraising on behalf of a non-profit. I understand I am expected to attend AFP education sessions. * The field I am a full-time fundraising professional or spend at least 50% of my time fundraising on behalf of a non-profit. I understand I am expected to attend AFP education sessions. is required.

Supervisor’s Authorization - I verify that my supervisor approves my application for scholarship. Additionally, my supervisor gives me permission to attend AFP education sessions. * The field Supervisor’s Authorization - I verify that my supervisor approves my application for scholarship. Additionally, my supervisor gives me permission to attend AFP education sessions. is required.