AFP Nashville Scholarships 

AFP Nashville's commitment to modeling and promoting philanthropy is demonstrated by awarding several scholarships that advance AFP's mission and vision.  

Scholarship applications will be accepted on this schedule:

  • CFRE Scholarship

    • Congratulations to Ashley Reynolds, 2023 CFRE Scholarship recipient.

    • The 2024 CFRE application will open by June 1, 2024.

  • Chamberlain Scholarship for the 2024 ICON Conference in Toronto, Canada

    • Must apply by Sunday, March 3rd, 2024.

  • Emerging Nonprofits Scholarship

    • Congratulations to 2023 Scholarship recipient, René Dillard & Nashville Adult Literacy Council.

    • Rolling, 1 more scholarship available for 2024.

  • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Scholarship

    • Rolling, 6 scholarships available for 2024.

Member Scholarship Opportunities

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential demonstrates an individual’s mastery of the standards set for core knowledge and skills required of fundraising executives after three years of experience. This practice-based designation requires a demonstration of meeting these standards through an application and a written examination. The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential provides you with a recognizable demonstration of your personal and professional achievement and commitment. This scholarship awards $700 to help cover the cost of the application and exam. AFP Nashville’s current members who have obtained the CFRE designation will support you as you prepare/study to take the exam.

CFRE Scholarship Criteria:
Applicant must:

  • Be an AFP Nashville member in good standing for the past two years.

  • Be employed as a full-time fundraising professional (or, if the candidate is an Executive Director, at least 50 percent of time must be devoted to fundraising.)

  • Agree to take the CFRE exam within one year of receiving the scholarship if selected.

  • Meet all requirements to qualify for the CFRE exam.

  • Agree to volunteer for AFP Nashville – serving on a committee in 2024 and serving as a 2024 mentor in our mentorship program.

  • Financial needs will be considered when selecting the scholarship recipient. Those candidates whose personal and/or organizational financial position might prohibit their obtaining the CFRE will receive special consideration.

  • AFP Nashville’s current members who have obtained the CFRE designation will support you as you prepare/study to take the exam.

Chamberlain Scholarship – 2024 ICON Conference

This scholarship is designed to help individuals develop their fundraising knowledge and skills through participation in the 2024 AFP International Conference on Fundraising (AFP ICON). The Chamberlain Scholarship covers the Conference registration fee (less $10) for 2024 in Toronto, CANADA, plus provides a $250 stipend toward travel and lodging for one AFP Nashville Chapter member. The Candidate must be a fundraising professional who has never attended an AFP International Conference.

Chamberlain Scholarship Criteria:

  • Candidate must be a member of AFP Nashville.

  • Candidate is employed full-time as a fundraising professional, or if the candidate is an executive director, at least 50% of his or her time must be devoted to fundraising.

  • Candidate has never attended an AFP or NSFRE International Conference on Fundraising

  • Candidate is responsible for covering the $10 difference for the Conference registration fee.

  • Candidate is responsible for submitting receipts to AFP Nashville for travel and lodging reimbursement up to $250. Expenses incurred outside of travel and lodging, or travel and lodging expenses incurred beyond $250, will be covered by the scholarship recipient or their organization.

  • Candidate must agree to complete an online evaluation form and write a short report on his or her experience following the Conference to share with the AFP Nashville membership.

  • Agree to volunteer for AFP Nashville – serving on a committee in 2024.

  • Financial needs will be considered when selecting the scholarship recipient. Those candidates whose personal and/or organizational financial position might prohibit their attendance will receive special consideration.

Nonprofit scholarship opportunity

Emerging Nonprofit Scholarship

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Nashville Board of Directors is excited to offer a scholarship opportunity for emerging nonprofit organizations, providing an AFP Nonprofit Organizational Membership (Small) to two (2) local organizations. Our goal is to increase community access, participation, and membership in AFP Nashville for organizations that might typically be unable to participate due to budget constraints.

If you are the primary fundraiser for your organization, we encourage you to submit this application on behalf of your organization.

Emerging Organizations Scholarship Criteria:

  • Must be a nonprofit organization – individuals, consultants and for-profit entities may apply for a different category.

  • An operating budget of less than $2,000,000.

  • A fundraising department with less than two (2) Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff

  • Individually incorporated or otherwise organized as a separate entity in the specific country’s laws.

  • Not affiliated with a larger institution supporting their operations.

  • Agrees to upload their organization’s most recent 990.

The organization will designate one fundraising professional to receive the benefits offered in this membership category. The membership may be transferred to another individual if the original member leaves the organization. Subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights. Limit one membership per organization. Nonprofit Organizational members in good standing may vote, serve on chapter or Association committees and task forces and hold Association or chapter office.

non-member scholarship opportunity

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Scholarship

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Scholarship program is an outreach initiative of AFP Nashville to encourage diversity within our profession. The scholarship offers incentives, education, tools, and resources to Middle Tennessee or South/Central Kentucky nonprofit employees working in or serving diverse communities. The Chapter aims to encourage more people from diverse communities and/or serving diverse communities to become active members of AFP Nashville, AFP Global, and our profession. Priority consideration will be given to colleagues who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, affiliated with the US military and/or persons with disabilities. 

Awardees of the IDEA Scholarship receive the following benefits:

  • Complimentary annual AFP Global/Nashville membership for one year (currently valued at $345 per year)

  • Complimentary admittance to monthly chapter programs (10 scheduled each year; approximate value: $300)

  • Complimentary participation in the AFP Nashville Mentorship Program

Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must:

  • Be employed a minimum of 20 hours a week for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Middle Tennessee or South/Central Kentucky;

  • Spend at least 50% of their time on fundraising duties and responsibilities.

  • Be a part of a diverse community or fundraising for an organization primarily serving a diverse community;

  • Not be a current member of AFP Nashville

  • Have the full support of their supervisor and their organization’s leadership to participate in this one-year educational program;

  • Attend chapter luncheons, workshops, programs and events;

  • Participate as a volunteer for one of AFP Nashville’s committees.

Questions? Contact Bonnie Broberg, CFRE, Board Member and VP, Scholarships at bbroberg@nashvillerescuemission.org or 615-312-1545. Thank you!