New Partnership to Increase Student Philanthropy, Community Involvement

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Jefferson Awards Foundation are pleased to announce a partnership between the AFP Youth in Philanthropy program and the Jefferson Awards Foundation's Students In Action Program.

Students In Action (SIA) is a high school-based leadership program that has trained more than 12,000 student leaders who in turn have generated over 14 million hours of community service since 2007. Students from more than 320 schools across the U.S. attend training conferences in 12 regions that cover topics such as leadership, values, ethics, community needs and project planning.

AFP's Youth In Philanthropy (YIP) program promotes an understanding of giving, volunteering and fundraising in middle, junior and high schools through its curriculum, Making a World of Good©: A Hands-On Learning Experience with Philanthropy, Fundraising & Making a Difference. Members of AFP, who raise funds for charities around the world, present the curriculum to local students and guide them raise funds for community needs.

"This partnership has the potential to be so influential because we know that the earlier youth get involved in philanthropy, the more likely they are stay involved throughout their lifetimes," said Andrew Watt, FInstF, President and CEO of AFP. "We are excited to be working with the Jefferson Awards Foundation, which has such an illustrious program, and reaching so many young people interested in making a difference."

Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, volunteers from AFP chapters in the 12 SIA regions will present a beginning philanthropy and fundraising module, as well as a more advanced module at the mid-winter SIA Leadership Conferences.  Students will learn about the role of philanthropy, the basics of philanthropic fundraising, including personal giving, how to make the case for others to give and how to organize and produce a fundraising event.  SIA students will take this knowledge back to their own schools and create fundraising plans and projects to support needs and causes in their own communities.

"We are thrilled to have AFP as a partner," said Hillary Schafer, Executive Director of the Jefferson Awards Foundation. "The association's expertise is essential to the success of our students. We are confident that AFP will drive the impact of our Students In Action leaders to whole new levels."

Founded in 1972, the Jefferson Awards Foundation (JAF) is the country's longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service. JAF trains and empowers individuals to serve and lead in their communities, amplifying their impact through our vast network of media partners, mentors and volunteers. For more information, please visit www.JeffersonAwards.org.

Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has inspired global change— with its 32,000 members raising more than $100 billion annually for charitable causes around the world. For more information, go to www.afpnet.org.

CONTACT: Michael Nilsen, Vice President, Public Affairs, (425) 241-4675

SOURCE Association of Fundraising Professionals