AFP Florida First Coast Chapter

What if one of the most important investments you make this year isn’t in a new fundraising strategy—but in yourself?

In a profession defined by constant change, ambitious goals, and mission-driven work, confidence and resilience aren’t just nice to have they’re essential.

Join AFP FL, First Coast on Thursday, July 16 for Building Confidence & Resilience: Thriving Through Challenge and Change, a powerful and highly interactive half-day seminar led by renowned speaker, trainer, and fundraising leader Ken Miller, CFRE.

This isn’t your typical professional development program. Ken brings a unique blend of authenticity, humor, practical wisdom, and audience engagement that will challenge you to reflect, grow, and leave with actionable tools you can immediately apply in your work and life.

Throughout the morning, you’ll explore:
How self-esteem impacts professional success and leadership effectiveness
Practical strategies for building confidence and overcoming challenges
Tools for managing stress and uncertainty in demanding environments
Ways to strengthen resilience and adaptability during times of change
Approaches to staying grounded, focused, and mission-driven when facing disruption

Whether you’re a seasoned fundraising professional, nonprofit executive, emerging leader, or someone simply looking to strengthen your ability to navigate change, this seminar will provide valuable insights that extend far beyond the workplace.

Event Details
Thursday, July 16, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

Join colleagues from across Northeast Florida for a morning of learning, reflection, and growth—and walk away better equipped to thrive through whatever challenges come next.

Reserve your seat today.

Today we hosted our IDEA Program event, Beyond the Gift: Partnerships that Advance Inclusion on the First Coast. This powerful, thought-provoking panel highlighted how companies across Jacksonville are partnering with local fundraising professionals to create a more inclusive and connected community. Thank you to our AFP Members who served on our panel and their corporate partners who took time out of their morning to be with us.

• Lacey Rumberger Rey, MBA, The Arc Jacksonville
• Stephen Hanson, EverBank
• Emily Knight-Smith, North Florida School of Special Education
• Heidi Matheny, Citi
• Wendy Mayle, Pine Castle
• Stephanie Rosenstone, Paul Davis Restoration
Moderated by Ericia Moore, YMCA of Florida's First Coast

A special thank you to Olivia Smith for her leadership in bringing this event to life and for envisioning this important conversation. Your dedication helped make this program such a meaningful success.

What does it look like when our community truly shows up for everyone?

At Beyond the Gift, we’ll explore how nonprofits and businesses across the First Coast are creating more inclusive communities through meaningful action, collaboration, and opportunity. This panel discussion will focus on what diversity, equity, inclusion, and access can look like when organizations work together to ensure every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

We’re proud to partner with local organizations that embody these values by providing employment, job training, and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences. Their involvement helps bring the conversation to life and reflects the impact that inclusive partnerships can have throughout our community.

A special thank you to Happy Brew, Berry Good Blooms, and the NFSSE Culinary Arts Program for helping make this event possible.

There’s still time to register and join us for this important conversation. We hope to see you there!

🎉 Table & ticket sales are officially LIVE for the 2026 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon!

Join us on Friday, November 13 at the Hilton Jacksonville at Mayo Clinic as we celebrate 40 years of impact and honor the incredible philanthropists, volunteers, organizations, and changemakers strengthening our community. ✨

🎟️ Early bird pricing is available through August 1 - don’t wait to reserve your seat or table!

Register today:
🪑 Purchase Your Table Here: bit.ly/NPD26Table
🎫 Purchase Tickets Here: bit.ly/NPD26Ticket

We can’t wait to celebrate philanthropy with you! 💙

🎉 Member Milestone Celebration 🎉

Congratulations to our AFP Florida First Coast Chapter members celebrating 10 years of membership! 👏💙

✨ Dave Cognetta, CFRE
✨ Kacie Smyth, MHA

Thank you both for a decade of dedication to philanthropy, fundraising excellence, and the AFP community. Your commitment continues to make a lasting impact across our sector! 🙌

Help us celebrate these incredible members in the comments below! 🎊

✨ May Member Spotlight ✨

Meet Juana Falcone Zargon of The Arc Jacksonville! 💙 As Grants & Community Relations Coordinator, Juana helps share the incredible impact The Arc Jacksonville makes every day for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences. 🙌

A former elementary ESE teacher turned nonprofit pro, Juana says her favorite part of AFP is the mentorship program and the connections she’s made along the way 🤝

Fun fact: Juana has “too many” cats 🐱 plus a Gargoyle Gecko named Captain 🦎 and plans to visit family in Argentina!

Her advice for anyone considering fundraising? “Do it!!! It’s the best.” 💫

Thank you, Juana, for all you do and for making a 🐾

Thank you to everyone who joined us today for AFP Florida First Coast Chapter’s May Program featuring Dr. Kenston Griffin! 👏

We loved connecting with fellow nonprofit professionals and learning how to navigate leadership transitions while maintaining strong donor relationships and trust. 💡🤝

A special thank you to Dr. Griffin and to the University of North Florida for hosting us and serving as our 2026 Educational Program Sponsor! 🎓

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at our next event! 💙

Join us for AFP First Coast Chapter’s upcoming IDEA event, Beyond the Gift, on Thursday, June 11 from 8:30 – 10:30 AM at Nemours Children’s Health Home Office.

We’re excited to bring together an incredible panel of community leaders to discuss how they work hand in hand to create a more inclusive, accessible and equitable First Coast. A First Coast Community where people of all abilities can fully belong, participate, and thrive.

Panelists include:
• Lacey Rumberger Ray, The Arc Jacksonville
• Stephen Hanson, EverBank
• Emily Knight-Smith, North Florida School of Special Education
• Heidi Matheny, Citi
• Wendy Mayle, Pine Castle
• Stephanie Rosenstone, Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida
Moderated by Ericia Moore, First Coast YMCA

Thank you to nemours for hosting this important conversation. We hope to see you there! Click the link below to register for this FREE event: https://community.afpnet.org/afpflfirstcoastchapter/events/recentcommunityeventsdashboard

Interested in becoming an AFP member—or renewing your membership? We’re here to help!

Scholarships are currently available for new members, renewing members, and student members looking to grow their network, access professional development, and connect with fellow fundraising professionals through AFP FL, First Coast.

Whether you’re new to the profession, continuing your membership, or a student exploring a career in fundraising, we encourage you to apply.

✨ Don’t let cost be a barrier to professional growth and connection.

Learn more and apply today: https://community.afpnet.org/afpflfirstcoastchapter/aboutus23/scholarships

Save the date!

Join AFP First Coast Chapter for “Beyond the Gift: Partnerships That Advance Inclusion on the First Coast”

This uniquely impactful panel discussion will explore how nonprofits and businesses can work together to create more inclusive, equitable and accessible communities for everyone.

Thursday, June 11
8:30 - 10:30 AM
Nemours Children’s Health Home Office

This FREE event is open to both members and non-members! Click the link in our bio to register.

A special thank you to Nemours for hosting us! We look forward to an inspiring morning of conversation and connection.