The VAFRE Executive Committee recently met to review our membership categories and recommended that we eliminate the categories of Affiliate and Supportive members and including those individuals and/or organizations who support the work of the philanthropic community in the Active category with full membership and voting privileges. Thus there would be only two categories, Active and Student. These changes, along with a couple of minor changes to phrasing, were approved by the membership during our monthly meeting on June 7th.
Old VAFRE Membership Categories (as specified on the membership application)
- Active. Full-time development professionals of, or consultants to, 501(c)(3) organizations who spend the majority of their time seeking financial support in the form of gifts, grants, research contributions, special events, planned giving or supporting/participating in the process of philanthropy. All fund raising consultants must be registered With the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and must attach a copy of this state registration form. Active members may be either Organizational (membership is paid by the 501(c)(3) organization and applies to the position of the applicant) or Individual (membership is paid by the individual and remains with the individual).
- Affiliate. Volunteer member of the Board of Directors or part-time development professional of a 501(c)(3) organization who spend the majority of time providing guidance or seeking financial support in the form of gifts, grants, research contributions, special events, planned giving or supporting/participating the in the process of philanthropy. (Affiliate members are non-voting members and may not hold a position on the VAFRE Board.) This membership is non-transferable and remains with the applicant for the fiscal year.
- Supportive. Includes consultants and foundation executives with a vested interest in the ongoing successful development of fundraising professionals in Virginia. (Supportive members are non-voting members and may not hold a position on the VAFRE Board.) This membership is non-transferable and remains with the applicant for the fiscal year.
- Student. Full or part-time students pursuing degrees relevant to fundraising or current interns with nonprofit organizations learning development skills. Membership is approved for one year and applicant must reapply each year demonstrating student status. Student members are non-voting members and may not hold a position on the VAFRE Board. This membership is non-transferable and remains with the applicant for the fiscal year.
Newly Approved VAFRE Membership Categories
- Active. Residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia whose full or part time employment, volunteerism, or academic studies involves some aspect of seeking financial support in the form of gifts, grants, contributions and bequests to benefit organizations that are exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This shall also include individuals and organizations who have a vested interest in the philanthropic community of the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, grant makers, foundation trustees, or other entities or individuals who seek to further the mission of 501 (c)(3) organizations in Virginia through governance, leadership or financial support.
- Student. (no change) Full or part-time students pursuing degrees relevant to fundraising or current inters with non-profit organizations learning development skills. Membership is approved for one year and applicant must reapply each year demonstrating student status. Student members are non-voting members and may not hold a position on the VAFRE Board. This membership is non-transferable and remains with the applicant for the fiscal year.
For a look at how these changes impact our Articles of Incorporation, click here.
If you will not be able to attend the monthly meeting on June 7, please complete the member proxy and return it to VAFRE’s offices no later than noon on Monday, June 6.
