Membership FAQs

Have questions about AFP membership? The FAQs below should answer them. If you have more, please contact us at (800) 666-3863.

Does my membership belong to me, or to the organization I work for?

It depends on the type of membership that you join. If you are a Professional, Young Professional, Collegiate or Associate member, the membership is yours and goes with you if leave an organization.

The Nonprofit Organizational Membership for both large and small organizations, and the Executive Circle Business Member or Endorser Business Member belongs to the organization or company. If an employee leaves, the organization may replace the name of the designated member. New members still need to fill out a membership application and sign their adherence to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.

Does my membership stay with me if I switch organizations?

If you are in one of the individual membership categories the membership goes with you if you switch organizations.

How much does membership cost?

When a member joins AFP, they join both the global organization and a local chapter (exceptions exist if a chapter is not located close to the member). Thus, a member pays annual dues to both AFP Global and the chapter.

How much are the dues to AFP Global?

Your membership dues depend on the type of membership applicable to you. Members must self-assess to determine the type of membership for which they are eligible. Prospective members should self-determine the category of membership, and renewing members should review and reassess membership categories. Descriptions are below.

AFP Membership Categories

PROFESSIONAL MEMBER - $290.00 plus chapter dues

Professional: Open to individuals (a) who, among other responsibilities, hold some degree of accountability for income-generation within the fundraising process; (b) who must hold some degree of responsibility directly for fundraising; (c) who are compensated for their services; and (d) who subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights.

ASSOCIATE - $290.00 plus chapter dues

Associate: Open to individuals or volunteers (a) who are engaged in fields related to fundraising and fundraising support, or (b) who have mutual interests with fundraising professionals, and (c) who subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL - 26 years old or younger: $65.00 plus $30.00 chapter dues; 27 to 30 years old: $120.00 plus $55.00 chapter dues

Young Professional: Open to persons who hold some degree of responsibility directly for fundraising, work within the U.S. and Canada and are compensated for their services, and are 30 years old or younger, must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights and be employed, or have been employed by an organization that provides benefits to society.

Global E-Membership - $50.00 plus chapter dues

Global e-membership in the Association shall be open to members outside of the U.S. and Canada who wish to join in an electronic-only based membership category. Global e-membership members must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights.

Collegiate - $35.00 plus chapter dues

Collegiate: Collegiate membership in the Association shall be open to (a) students in a two- or four-year full-time degree granting, certificate, or diploma program at an accredited college or university, or (b) individuals who serve as a faculty advisor for a collegiate chapter of AFP. Collegiate members must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights. Membership in this category is limited to those students affiliated with a Collegiate Chapter of AFP.

Retired - $75.00 plus chapter dues

Retired: Retired membership in the Association shall be open to individuals who no longer practice as paid fundraising professionals but who, at the time they seek Retired Member status, have been Professional members of the Association for the immediate past five consecutive years and subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights.

Business Members – Executive Circle - $5,000, Endorser - $1,500

Business: Business membership in the Association shall be open to for-profit organizations whose work complements the fundraising profession. The Executive Circle Business member shall be entitled to designate two employees to receive full benefits as Associate members of the Association. Endorser Business Members shall be entitled to designate one employee to receive full benefits as an Associate member of the Association. The designated individuals, as well as the organization which constitutes the Business member, must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights.

Nonprofit Organizational Membership – Large Category – starting at $1,425.00

Nonprofit Organizational – Large: Shall be open to nonprofit organizations who wish to have multiple members in the association. The organization will designate a minimum of five (5) to receive Professional member benefits. The memberships may be transferred to another individual if the original member leaves the organization. Must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights.

Nonprofit Organizational Membership – Small Category - $125.00 plus $60.00 chapter dues

Nonprofit Organizational Membership – Small: Open to nonprofit organizations who can answer yes to all the following criteria:

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 laws of the specific country; and
Not affiliated with a larger institution supporting their operations.

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. Must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights. Limit one membership per organization.

How much are chapter dues?

Chapter dues vary from $25 to $125, depending on the chapter. Click on Join AFP to determine chapter dues.

How can I find out if there is a chapter in my local area?

Search in the Chapters section or contact the AFP International Headquarters at (800) 666-3863.

How long does my membership last?

Your membership lasts 12 months, starting in the month you officially become a member.