Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering with AFP Montana is one of the best ways to maximize your membership and make meaningful connections with fundraising professionals across the state. Whether you serve on a committee, assist with a specific project, or help at an event, volunteering provides opportunities to expand your professional network, develop new skills, share your expertise, and contribute to the growth of the fundraising profession in Montana. 

No matter your experience level or the amount of time you have available, there is a place for you to get involved. Volunteers help shape the chapter's programs, strengthen member engagement, recognize excellence in philanthropy, and ensure AFP Montana continues to provide valuable resources and educational opportunities. Along the way, many volunteers build lasting professional relationships, gain leadership experience, and discover new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

AFP Montana is powered by volunteers. Your ideas, talents, and perspective can help strengthen our chapter and the fundraising profession throughout Montana. 

Interested in getting involved? Contact us at afpmontana@gmail.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities and committee service. We'd love to help you find a role that matches your interests, skills, and availability.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Chair, Traci Weller traci.weller@msuaf.org

The Communications Committee helps connect AFP Montana members and the broader nonprofit community to the chapter's programs, resources, events, and opportunities. Through newsletters, email communications, social media, and the chapter website, the committee promotes member engagement, highlights chapter activities and accomplishments, and strengthens awareness of AFP and the fundraising profession throughout Montana. 

We are a team of volunteers who enjoy storytelling, marketing, writing, photography, graphic design, and connecting people to opportunities for learning and professional growth.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Write articles, member spotlights, and event recaps
• Collect stories and member interviews for newsletters and social media
• Manage or contribute content to social media channels
• Create graphics and promotional materials using Canva
• Provide photography at chapter events
• Maintain and update the chapter website
• Assemble and distribute the monthly newsletter and email communications
• Promote chapter events, educational programs, and member benefits
• Assist with sponsor recognition and stewardship communications

Whether you can contribute a few hours each month or help with a specific project, there are opportunities for volunteers with a variety of interests and skill sets.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair, Maria Reed mreed@billingshabitat.org 

The Membership Committee is responsible for recruiting, retaining, and engaging members of the AFP Montana Chapter. Through outreach, relationship-building, and member engagement activities, the committee helps strengthen our chapter community and connect fundraising professionals across Montana.

We are a team of volunteers who enjoy meeting new people, building relationships, and helping others discover the value of AFP membership. Whether you're a seasoned member or new to AFP, there are many ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Welcome and connect with new members
• Reach out to current members through phone calls and emails
• Share information with prospective members about AFP and chapter benefits
• Assist with member recruitment and retention initiatives
• Help develop and write Member Spotlights for the chapter newsletter
• Support membership events, networking opportunities, and member recognition activities
• Collaborate with other committees to increase member engagement and participation
• Share ideas to help grow and strengthen the chapter

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Chair:  Kristi Farver-Oaks, kristi@yellowstonefoundation.org

Providing educational opportunities is one of the primary ways AFP Montana serves its members. The Professional Development Committee helps identify educational needs, develop engaging programs, and recruit speakers for chapter events, webinars, Lunch & Learns, and the Annual Educational Summit.

We seek a variety of perspectives and experiences to ensure our programming remains relevant, practical, and valuable to fundraising professionals across Montana. Whether you enjoy planning events, connecting with speakers, or helping shape educational content, there are many ways to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Identify and recommend topics for educational programs and events
•  Recruit and coordinate speakers and presenters
• Assist with planning Lunch & Learns, and workshops
• Evaluate member feedback and educational needs
• Help moderate educational sessions and introduce speakers
• Support event logistics and attendee engagement
• Serve as a Regional Champion by helping identify local educational needs, promoting AFP programs in your community, and connecting fundraising professionals to chapter resources
• Share ideas for future programs and professional development opportunities

SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair:  Kyle Lantz, kyle@yellowstonefoundation.org

The Sponsorship Committee is responsible for securing sponsorship support that helps fund AFP Montana's programs, educational events, scholarships, and member services. The committee works to build and strengthen relationships with businesses, foundations, consultants, and other organizations that share an interest in supporting the fundraising profession and the nonprofit sector in Montana.

Committee members help identify potential sponsors, cultivate relationships, communicate sponsorship opportunities, and ensure sponsors receive the recognition and benefits associated with their support.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Identify prospective sponsors through professional and community connections
• Introduce AFP Montana to businesses, vendors, foundations, and organizations that may be interested in sponsorship
• Contact assigned sponsorship prospects and assist with sponsorship outreach
• Help cultivate and steward sponsor relationships throughout the year
• Assist with sponsor recognition and fulfillment of sponsorship benefits
• Track sponsorship commitments, payments, and renewal opportunities
• Support sponsorship efforts for the Annual Educational Summit, National Philanthropy Day, and other chapter events
• Share ideas for strengthening partnerships and creating mutually beneficial sponsorship opportunities

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

Chair: Allison Strekal, amariebeck@gmail.com 

The Recognition & Awards Committee is responsible for celebrating excellence in philanthropy and fundraising across Montana while helping expand access to professional development opportunities. The committee oversees the chapter's awards, recognition, and scholarship programs, including the National Philanthropy Day Awards and scholarship opportunities that support attendance at AFP educational programs and events.

Committee members help identify and recognize outstanding philanthropists, volunteers, fundraising professionals, organizations, and community leaders whose generosity and leadership strengthen the nonprofit sector throughout the state.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Solicit and promote award and scholarship nominations/applications
• Assist with reviewing and evaluating nominations and applications
• Help coordinate the awards and scholarship selection processes
• Draft award recipient profiles, biographies, and recognition materials
• Coordinate award presentations and recognition activities at the Annual Educational Summit
• Assist with scholarship promotion and outreach efforts
• Help identify funding sources and sponsors for scholarship programs
• Support recipient recognition and stewardship activities
• Help identify new opportunities to celebrate philanthropy, fundraising excellence, and professional development across Montana

SUMMIT COMMITTEE

Chair:  Sara Hofer, sara@yellowstonefoundation.org 

The Annual Educational Summit Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating AFP Montana's premier educational event—a two-day conference that brings together fundraising professionals, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropic partners from across the state. The Summit rotates annually among Montana communities, with past events held in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Great Falls.

Committee members help shape the attendee experience by developing educational content, recruiting speakers, securing sponsors, coordinating logistics, promoting the event, and creating meaningful opportunities for networking and professional growth.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Assist with program planning and session development
• Identify and recruit speakers and presenters
• Secure sponsors and exhibitors
• Help promote the Summit through outreach and marketing
• Coordinate attendee registration and event logistics
• Assist with volunteer coordination and on-site event support
• Help plan networking activities and attendee engagement opportunities
• Collect and evaluate attendee feedback for future Summits
• Support speaker, sponsor, and attendee stewardship

AFP Global's Volunteer Opportunities

Just joined AFP and don't know where to turn or how to get involved? Long-time member looking for a new, rewarding challenge?

AFP volunteers are at all stages in their development careers, from newcomers to senior-level professionals. They are the heart of AFP – from helping to guide and support the mission of the Association, to developing and sharing knowledge about the profession, and more.

Volunteering is a great way to develop professionally, grow your network, build your career, gain new insights and perspectives, and give back to the fundraising profession.

From running for a Global board position or joining an AFP Global committee, to submitting a proposal for our professional development programming, or becoming a public policy advocate, there's an opportunity here for everyone! 

Visit the Get Involved page on the AFP Global website for more information.