The Association of Fundraising Professionals, DC Metro Area Chapter (AFPDC) offers a variety of scholarships to support individuals pursuing careers in fundraising and nonprofit work. These scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance for professional development opportunities, including attendance at conferences, local events, specialized training programs, and membership costs. Additionally, AFP DC awards scholarships to emerging professionals, students, and those from diverse backgrounds to help foster a strong and inclusive fundraising community. These opportunities aim to enhance skills, broaden networks, and encourage the growth of future leaders in the philanthropic sector.

The following scholarship opportunities are available in 2025. 

THE BRIDGE TO INTEGRATED MARKETING & FUNDRAISING CONFERENCE (BRIDGE) REGISTRATION SCHOLARSHIP 

Opportunity: Covers cost for registration.  
Availability: Five (5)
Timing: Application Opens week of February 10, 2025
Application Closes March 15, 2025
Notifications March 3, 2025
Registrations March 31, 2025

Requirements: Applicants must

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for one year
• Volunteer at the conference. 

• Demonstrate financial need and applicability to role/career

Apply Today

AFPDC CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS 

Opportunity: Covers membership dues for one year. 
Availability: Three (3) Young Professional Memberships (under the age of 30)
Two (2) Professional Memberships
Timing: Application Opens week of February 10, 2025
Application Closes March 15, 2025
Notifications March 2025
Registrations March 31, 2025

Requirements: Applicants must

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Chapter membership must be set  to expire in the calendar year 2025.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for one year.
• For Young Professional, must be 30 years old or younger
• Demonstrate financial need and applicability to role/career

 Apply Today

AFP ICON CONFERENCE TRAVEL STIPEND FOR THE CHAPTER’S CHAMBERLAIN SCHOLAR

Opportunity: Covers a portion of travel costs for the Chapter’s Chamberlain scholar.  
Availability: One (1). Available only to the Chapter’s Chamberlain Scholarship recipient. 
Timing: The Board will select a recipient in Fall 2025 for ICON 2026.

Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for at least one year.
• Be a first time attendee to AFP ICON. 

• Be nominated by the AFPDC Board in recognition of their volunteer service on an AFPDC Chapter committee. 

AFPDC CFRE SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsored by:

Opportunity: Covers the cost of attending the AFPDC CFRE Prep Course as well as one CFRE application
Availability: Two (2)
Timing: Application Opens July 1, 2025
Application Closes July 31, 2025
Notifications August 15, 2025
Registrations September 2025

Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for one year.
• Demonstrate financial need and applicability to role/career

AFPDC Rising Leaders Program
Opportunity: In alignment with the AFP DC strategic goals of (1) building a leadership pipeline and (2) elevating the voices, experiences, and perspectives of our diverse membership, the chapter will develop a Rising Leaders Program with the goal of recruiting and supporting diverse chapter and board leadership.

The program covers:

• Conference registration for the Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference
• Conference registration for AFP LEAD conference
• Generous travel stipend for AFP LEAD conference
• Mentorship with current or past AFPDC Chapter President

• Registration pass for up to three (3) AFPDC Chapter education sessions

Availability: Two to Three (2-3). Available to first time AFPDC Board Members only.
Timing: Applicants will express their interests during their AFPDC Board Member application process.
Application Opens August 2025
Application Closes September 2025
Notifications November 2025

Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Be a Board Member applicant.
• Serve on an AFP-DC Board for one three-year term. For more information on Board requirements, see HERE. 

Other

HILT Rising Leaders Scholarship Program 

Hazen offers four (4) full-freight scholarships annually - 2 for AFP ICON in the spring and 2 for AFP LEAD in the fall. These scholarships aim to provide diverse rising fundraising leaders with access to top-notch professional development content and the ability to network with their peers from across the country and around the world. Scholarships include: conference registration fee + $1,500 for travel, lodging and meals.

"It is our immense honor and pleasure to offer 4 comprehensive scholarships each year for the DMV's rising fundraising leaders. I honestly feel like I get more out of it than they do, as I'm at a point in my career where my primary focus is to do everything I can to support and lift up diverse early and mid-career fundraisers. So I guess that makes it a win-win!

Having access to in-person focused and topical professional development experiences can be out of reach for many fundraisers, especially early in their careers. Our goal is to open up new avenues for folks to learn, providing peer-to-peer connection on a global scale. And hopefully they'll also have fun in the process! "

Martha H. Schumacher, President, Hazen and HILT

To inquire about these scholarship opportunities, please use the contact form here: Let's work together — Hazen.

Association of Fundraising Professionals Scholarship Opportunities

Additional scholarship opportunities are available to all members. To read more about these scholarships, please visit Scholarships | Association of Fundraising Professionals

Information on our scholarships, as well as links to applications, will be available in our newsletters and posted on social media. Please be sure you are subscribed so you do not miss an opportunity to apply.

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