Fiona Holmes Earns AFP Bermuda Scholarship
The Association of Fundraising Professionals [AFP] Bermuda Chapter announced that the Chamberlain Scholarship Award winner is Fiona Holmes, Development Director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “This scholarship provides funding for Ms. Holmes to attend the International Conference of the Association of Fundraising Professionals which is set to be held in Toronto, Canada, in April. The annual conference is a combination of education, networking and inspiration, and the keynote speaker this year is Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Creator of The 1619 Project and Staff Writer at The New York Times Magazine.”
Ms. Holmes was nominated by AFP Bermuda Co-Presidents Ann Spencer-Arscott and Katie Bennett, who stated, “We are so excited for Fiona attend the AFP ICON Conference. This event is a unique and impactful opportunity for fundraising professionals to gain new skills, grow as a professional, and bring new knowledge back to Bermuda.”
Ms. Holmes shared, “I would like to thank the Chamberlain Scholarship Committee and the Bermuda Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals [AFP] for awarding me the opportunity to attend the AFP Conference in April. I am honored to be representing the Bermuda Chapter. I would also like thank the Cummings Zuill Leadership Award Trust who are supporting me in attending this conference.
“The Conference has always been highly recommended by my fellow fundraising peers in Bermuda and I am excited to be able to attend. I am looking forward to broadening my knowledge and experience in fundraising and development, hearing from some of the leading experts and learning about the latest trends in the field. I enjoy sharing ideas and networking with colleagues, which is a big part of the conference.
“My passion for fundraising for youth development organisations grew early on when I experienced the positive effects local youth development programmes have on young people in Bermuda. Currently, I work for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Bermuda, offering the highly regarded youth achievement award to anyone aged 14-24 from across the island, free of charge. It is my hope that by attending this conference I will improve the way in which I successfully fundraise and ultimately demonstrate how donors’ investments make a difference, impacting the local community and benefiting as many young people in Bermuda as possible.”
The spokesperson said, “Past Chamberlain Scholarship AFP Bermuda Chapter awardees include Truell Landy [SHIFT Bermuda], Pahn-Ya Ratteray [Bermuda College Foundation], Katie Bennett [National Museum of Bermuda], Suzanne DeCouto [Mount Saint Agnes, formerly at Bermuda Red Cross], and Tammalita Joseph [WindReach and formerly at BUEI].
“The Chamberlain Scholarship program honours Ralph E. Chamberlain, who had a long and distinguished career of service to AFP, beginning in the 1960s when the organization was formed as the National Society of Fund Raisers through the late 1970s when the name was changed to the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives and until his death in 1999.
“Mr. Chamberlain’s dedication to the organization we now know as AFP never faltered in his long volunteer career with the Association. Because of his long-time support of the Foundation’s annual fund and generous planned gift, the AFP Board of Directors renamed their Conference Scholar Program in 2000 to honor Mr. Chamberlain’s memory and commitment to the Association.The AFP Foundation offers every AFP chapter one Chamberlain Scholarship, which covers the recipient’s conference registration, to the AFP International Conference on Fundraising. The scholarship is available to individuals who have never attended an AFP international conference.
“AFP Bermuda is committed to investing in and supporting the mentoring, training and development of professionals involved in raising funds in Bermuda – these individuals are often in specific roles such as Director of Advancement or Fundraising, consultant, or blended roles such as Executive Director, CEO, Managing Director, Trustee, Board Member and/or volunteer. For information about AFP Global visit: https://afpglobal.org/ and for information on AFP Bermuda Chapter, membership and upcoming workshops please contact Ann Spencer-Arscott at director@bermudaredcross.com or Katie Bennett at advancement@nmb.bm.”
