Catching Up With CAT: Philanthropy Fellowship Journey

Hello everyone, and welcome to this week’s Catching Up With CAT, brought to you by Tia.

This week was an important and meaningful one in my AFP Fellowship journey. On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the AFP Philanthropy Awards, a ceremony hosted by the Chicago chapter of AFP that recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals, foundations, corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers, and fundraising executives.

During the awards event, I had the opportunity to give back by supporting attendee check-in, a small task, but one that felt meaningful and allowed me to contribute to the success of the evening.

I also enjoyed spending time with my fellow AFP cohort members. Being surrounded by peers who share similar goals, challenges, and a passion for this. 

I left feeling proud, inspired, and energized by all of the honorees and by the collective dedication to community, generosity, and impact that filled the room.

A few days later, I attended a meeting focused on Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and the importance of building strong, intentional relationships with donors. It was incredibly insightful, and I found myself already thinking about how I can apply these strategies to strengthen CAT’s fundraising efforts and deepen the connections we have with the supporters who make our work possible.

-Tia