2026/2027 Collective Impact Fellowship: Fellow Application

Program Overview:

The Collective Impact Fellowship brings together AFP scholarship opportunities and professional mentorship to create a year-long leadership development experience. Fellows gain access to training, mentorship, and networking opportunities while building a pathway to deeper AFP engagement and future board leadership, and Advisors help develop knowledgeable, ethical, and confident fundraisers through individual mentorship.

The 12-month program supports fundraisers from underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, emerging professionals, and those from smaller or under-resourced nonprofits. Fellows receive full access to AFP professional development and are paired with experienced Advisors for one-on-one guidance throughout the program.

Eligibility and Expectations of a Fellow:

Collective Impact Fellows are fundraising professionals from underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, emerging professionals, and those working in smaller or under-resourced nonprofits. Applicants must work for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and do not need to be current AFP members to apply.

Fellows commit to active participation throughout the program, including engaging with their Advisor, attending education sessions and events, and taking advantage of networking opportunities. Fellows are expected to take ownership of their growth by setting goals, maintaining communication with their Advisor, and participating fully in the Fellowship experience.

Collective Impact Fellowship Benefits:

Fellows receive a complimentary one-year AFP membership (Global and NWA Chapter), supported through a combination of AFP Global and Chapter-funded scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for membership support.

The program includes one-on-one mentorship with an experienced AFP professional, tailored to each Fellow’s goals and experience. Fellows also have access to additional scholarship opportunities for continued education. Fellows build relationships through cohort meetups, networking events, and engagement with AFP NWA board members and the broader fundraising community.

Professional Development & Networking:

Bi-monthly chapter education sessions
Bi-annual education summit
Access to AFP Global’s online learning resources
Chapter networking mixers and Lunch & Learn sessions
Opportunity to attend and volunteer at National Philanthropy Day (Nov. 4th)
Access to all AFP Global webinars

Program Timeline:

May 20 - June 19, 2026: 2026/2027 Fellowship applications open

July 22, 2026: Advisor/Fellow pairing announcement (social media and newsletter)

August 13, 2026 from 9:00-11:00 am: 2026/2027 Fellowship kick-off and orientation

August 19, 2026 @ 8:30 am: Chapter education session

September 2026: Fellow/Advisor session (1-on-1)

October 21, 2026 @ 8:30 am: Chapter education session

November 4, 2026 @ 11:00 am - National Philanthropy Day event

December 2026: Fellow/Advisor session (1-on-1)

January 2027: Chapter education session (TBD)

February 2027: AFP NWA Chapter Social & Fellow/Advisor Session (1-on-1)

March 2027: Chapter education session (TBD)

April 2027: Fellow/Advisor Session (1-on-1)

May 2027: Chapter education session (TBD), Fellowship graduation (TBD), outgoing class of Fellows/Advisors helps recruit new fellowship class

For more information or questions, contact Fellowship Co-Chairs Lauren Husband at lhusband@springdalear.gov or Kayla LaCavera at klacavera90@gmail.com.

Your Contact Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

Phone *

City *

State *

Zip *

Personal Information

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 total annual budget * The field Organization's total annual budget is required.

Organization's annual development budget * The field Organization's annual development budget is required.

Your department's annual professional development budget * The field Your department's annual professional development budget is required.

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

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

Total years in fundraising (note full vs. part time) * The field Total years in fundraising (note full vs. part time) 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.

In what areas are you looking to grow professionally? * The field In what areas are you looking to grow professionally? is required.

Fellow Commitments and Responsibilities:

I will attend the 2026/2027 Fellowship orientation on August 13th from 8:30-10:00am.
I will schedule 1-on-1 meetings with my Advisor. It is my responsibility to share my goals and establish focus areas to ensure my growth in the program.
I will attend AFP NWA Chapter education sessions and social events to maximize ongoing learning and growth opportunities.
I will meaningfully engage with my chapter after completing the Fellowship by serving on an AFP NWA board or committee.
I will maintain confidentiality regarding any organizational or personal information shared by my Advisor during our interactions.

I agree to all above commitments. * The field I agree to all above commitments. is required.

Scholarship Opportunities:

Fellows are eligible to apply for up to three (3) of the six available scholarships but will only be awarded one.

Allison A. McElroy Membership Scholarship (Membership Scholarship)
Funded by AFP NWA Chapter Co-Founder Allison A. McElroy, this scholarship helps offset the cost of joining or renewing AFP membership. For the 2026/2027 Fellowship year, preference will be given to Advisors working at small nonprofits. The nonprofit must meet the following requirements: an operating budget of less than $2,000,000, a fundraising department with less than two (2) full time equivalent (FTE) staff, and not affiliated with a larger institution supporting their operations. One AFP Professional Individual Membership is awarded annually, covering both AFP Global membership and chapter dues.

Chamberlain Scholarship (AFP ICON Scholarship)
Named in honor of Ralph E. Chamberlain, CFRE, this scholarship, provided by AFP Global, supports first-time attendance at the AFP ICON Conference. Open to Advisors and Fellows, with preference given to Fellows. Recipients must attend AFP ICON, submit receipts, and provide a post-conference reflection by June 30. AFP Global covers AFP ICON registration (minus a $10 fee) for one recipient per chapter, and AFP NWA reimburses up to $1,000 for travel and lodging.

Clay Edwards Memorial Scholarship (AFP ICON Scholarship)
Honoring former AFP NWA member Clay Edwards, this scholarship supports attendance at the AFP ICON Conference and encourages emerging fundraisers. Open to Advisors and Fellows, with preference given to Fellows and first-time attendees. Recipients must register early, attend AFP ICON, submit receipts, and provide a post-conference reflection by June 30. One recipient will receive up to $2,000 for registration, travel, and lodging (reimbursed) to AFP ICON.

IDEA Champion Scholarship (Membership Scholarship)
This scholarship, supported by AFP Global, expands access to AFP membership for fundraisers from diverse communities or those serving diverse populations. Open to Advisors and Fellows who meet AFP’s eligibility criteria. One IDEA scholarship is awarded per chapter annually, covering the full cost of AFP membership.

Jill Wagar Diversity Membership Scholarship (Small Nonprofit Scholarship)
Funded by AFP NWA member Jill Wagar, this scholarship supports increased participation from underrepresented groups and under-resourced organizations in the fundraising profession. Open to Fellows working at small nonprofits, with priority given to individuals who identify as part of an underrepresented community. The nonproft must meet the following requirements: An operating budget of less than $2,000,000, a fundraising department with less than two (2) Full time equivalent (FTE) staff, and not affiliated with a larger institution supporting their operations. One recipient will recieve reimbursement for an AFP Small Nonprofit Organizational Membership.

Ten Star Gold Scholarship (Membership Scholarship)
Supported by AFP Global, this scholarship provides AFP membership through the Ten Star Gold recognition program for chapters that meet Ten Star Gold requirements. Open to Advisors and Fellows, with preference given to Fellows. One Ten Star Gold scholarship is awarded annually, covering the full cost of AFP membership.

Which of the Fellow scholarships outlined above would you like to apply for? (You may select up to three.):

Have you attended AFP ICON in the past? * The field Have you attended AFP ICON in the past? is required.

Essay Section

Describe your expectations and goals for the Collective Impact Fellowship program. What do you hope to learn, achieve, and contribute, and how does this program align with your professional journey and long-term growth? Maximum 5,000 characters. * The field Describe your expectations and goals for the Collective Impact Fellowship program. What do you hope to learn, achieve, and contribute, and how does this program align with your professional journey and long-term growth? Maximum 5,000 characters. is required.

If awarded funding, what impact would this support have on your work, studies, or project? How would it help you overcome challenges, expand opportunities, or accelerate your efforts to create community impact? Maximum 5,000 characters. * The field If awarded funding, what impact would this support have on your work, studies, or project? How would it help you overcome challenges, expand opportunities, or accelerate your efforts to create community impact? Maximum 5,000 characters. is required.