The Association of Fundraising Professionals, DC Metro Area Chapter (AFPDC) offers a variety of scholarships to support individuals pursuing careers in fundraising and nonprofit work. These scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance for professional development opportunities, including attendance at conferences, local events, specialized training programs, and membership costs. Additionally, AFP DC awards scholarships to emerging professionals, students, and those from diverse backgrounds to help foster a strong and inclusive fundraising community. These opportunities aim to enhance skills, broaden networks, and encourage the growth of future leaders in the philanthropic sector.

The following scholarship opportunities are available in 2026. All scholarships are now available through one form! You can apply to a specific one by choosing that opportunity in the options. If you see another scholarship opportunity you'd like to be considered for, use the same form again to complete a new application for that opportunity too. 

Apply for a scholarship today!

THE BRIDGE TO INTEGRATED MARKETING & FUNDRAISING CONFERENCE (BRIDGE) REGISTRATION SCHOLARSHIP 

Opportunity: Covers cost for registration.  
Availability: Five (5)
Timing: Application Opens February 26, 2026
Application Closes March 20, 2026
Notifications after applications close. 
Registrations March 31, 2026

Requirements: Applicants must

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for one year

• Demonstrate financial need and applicability to role/career

AFP DC CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS 

Opportunity: Covers membership dues for one year. 
Availability: 20+ Scholarships throughout the year will be available. 
Timing: Application Opens February 26, 2026
Applications Submitted by March 30, 2026 will be considered for 2026 Scholarships
Notifications April and May 2026

Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Chapter membership must be set  to expire in the calendar year 2026.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for one year.
• For Young Professional, must be 30 years old or younger. 
• For Emerging Leaders, must be recently transitioning to a leadership role or recently transitioned to the fundraising career. 
• Demonstrate financial need and applicability to role/career

AFP ICON CONFERENCE TRAVEL STIPEND FOR THE CHAPTER’S CHAMBERLAIN SCHOLAR

Opportunity: Covers a portion of travel costs for the Chapter’s Chamberlain scholar.  
Availability: One (1). Available only to the Chapter’s Chamberlain Scholarship recipient. 
Timing: The Board selects a the nominated recipient in Fall 2026 for ICON 2027. Recipients are nominated for their volunteer work throughout the year with AFP DC. 

Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for at least one year.
• Be a first time attendee to AFP ICON. 

• Be nominated by the AFPDC Board in recognition of their volunteer service on an AFPDC Chapter committee. 

AFPDC CFRE SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsored by:

Opportunity: Covers the cost of attending the AFPDC CFRE Prep Course as well as one CFRE application
Availability: Two (2)
Timing:
Applications Submitted By June 30, 2026
Notifications July 15, 2026
Registrations August 2026

Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be a chapter member in good standing.
• Serve on an AFP-DC committee for one year.
• Demonstrate financial need and applicability to role/career

Other

HILT Rising Leaders Scholarship Program 

Hazen offers four (4) full-freight scholarships annually - 2 for AFP ICON in the spring and 2 for AFP LEAD in the fall. These scholarships aim to provide diverse rising fundraising leaders with access to top-notch professional development content and the ability to network with their peers from across the country and around the world. Scholarships include: conference registration fee + $1,500 for travel, lodging and meals.

"It is our immense honor and pleasure to offer 4 comprehensive scholarships each year for the DMV's rising fundraising leaders. I honestly feel like I get more out of it than they do, as I'm at a point in my career where my primary focus is to do everything I can to support and lift up diverse early and mid-career fundraisers. So I guess that makes it a win-win!

Having access to in-person focused and topical professional development experiences can be out of reach for many fundraisers, especially early in their careers. Our goal is to open up new avenues for folks to learn, providing peer-to-peer connection on a global scale. And hopefully they'll also have fun in the process! "

Martha H. Schumacher, President, Hazen and HILT

To inquire about these scholarship opportunities, please use the contact form here: Let's work together — Hazen.

Association of Fundraising Professionals Scholarship Opportunities

Additional scholarship opportunities are available to all members. To read more about these scholarships, please visit Scholarships | Association of Fundraising Professionals

Information on our scholarships, as well as links to applications, will be available in our newsletters and posted on social media. Please be sure you are subscribed so you do not miss an opportunity to apply.

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