The Association of Fundraising Professionals, formerly known as the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE), was founded in 1960 to be a leader in the philanthropy world. Its goals are to promote stewardship, donor trust, and effective and ethical fundraising. Twenty years later, in 1980, eighteen members founded the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western Pennsylvania Chapter (AFP-WPA). The Western Pennsylvania Chapter was born out of necessity. There were a number of members who did not have a locally affiliated chapter. Jeanne Williams called for a gathering of NSFRE members and interested parties to establish a chapter in western Pennsylvania. After two meetings, they all agreed to start a chapter. AFP-WPA's charter was accepted on September 5, 1980 and six days later on September 11 they held their first official meeting. At the time of its inception, Jeanne Williams was the acting chairman of the chapter. Thirty-six people were in attendance as J. Richard Wilson, Executive Vice President of NSFRE, gave his predictions for the future of the new chapter. By December of the same year, Warren Dana was elected the first President of AFP-WPA. At the beginning of 1981, AFP-WPA had already begun putting together a newsletter to act as evidence of their progress. Their chapter by-laws had been approved, and they had sent a representative, Jeanne Williams, to the national meeting to represent their chapter. By 1982 the chapter was running full-force, holding meetings each month, planning seminars for training and membership growth, holding luncheons, and continuing to release its newsletter to members so that everyone was kept up-to-date within the chapter. Since these beginning years, AFP-WPA has continued to grow; its membership has risen to more than 400 fundraising professionals. They actively participate in the National Philanthropy Day, which was started by AFP in 1986. Also, they continue to attend the international conferences sponsored by AFP and held around the country. The chapter has been commended multiple times by the local government for its participation in fundraising initiatives. In 2005 Mayor Tom Murphy of Pittsburgh announced that November 15 would be "National Philanthropy Day" in Pittsburgh. This announcement was accompanied by many like it from government officials in Allegheny County and Washington County. Also a "Fund Raising Day" was proclaimed by Allegheny County in April 1998.
From the description of Records of Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 1980-2005. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 317485680
