FAQ

AFN welcomes institutional and individual grantmakers. AFN members are grantmakers whose primary focus and mission is to provide funding to programs in their communities and nationwide with a focus in asset building, economic justice, and equitable economic security. Eligible members of AFN include:

• Private and Family Grantmaking Foundations
• Corporate Foundations and Corporate Giving Programs
• Community Foundations
• Credit Unions and CDFIs with a Philanthropic Purpose*
• Public Charities devoting more than half of their operating budget to grants for external activities to external grantees
• Regional Associations of Grantmakers and Philanthropic Support Organizations
• United Ways
• Venture Philanthropy Partnerships
• Individual donors who contribute at least $100,000 annually to external community grantees with a focus on economic asset building

*Membership eligibility for Credit Unions and CDFIs are assessed on a case by case basis due to the diversity of organizational operations

See our current members.

While AFN welcomes many organizations as members, there are a few exceptions. Below is a list of those that are ineligible to join AFN, but are welcome to participate in our public sessions.

• Fundraising or development staff. Members of AFN must oversee or manage an organization’s giving programs.
• Nonprofit organizations who re-grant funds or where philanthropy is not their primary mission.
• Private foundations that only use their endowment or fundraising for internal programs or operations.

Assets are the resources that help people build economic stability, for now and for years to come. Are you funding programs that allow low and middle income people to care for their health, build job skills, obtain a degree, or create retirement savings? Do you invest in opportunities for families to save for children’s college education, buy a home, open a business, or grow skills to manage their financial life? Are you working to dismantle systemic barriers people face when trying to build economic security? Are you confronting inequities based on race and gender? Then you too are an asset builder.

Learn more about asset building and join the one and only membership organization focused on these solutions.

Members get connected to peers and colleagues in the one and only network of grantmakers focused on building economic well-being for low and middle income people. This multiplies the potential for knowledge-building and strategy-sharing. Members participate in national conferences and regional forums, learn about the latest ideas through webinars, briefs, in-person convenings, and online newsletters. They move beyond their discipline to connect with innovators in the field who help leverage their impact. They build support in their own communities for more asset-building opportunities. See the benefits of membership and join us.

Standard Membership fees correspond to the institution’s current year grants budget:

There are also other ways to join which increase your national impact, connect you to a region’s work, or leverage your presence at AFN’s conference:

• National Support: For national entities who are willing and able to make larger or multi-year financial contributions to AFN’s work.
• Regional Support: For grantmakers who support dedicated work in a region; fees are set locally by each chapter.
• Conference Sponsorship: For sponsors of AFN’s National Grantmaker Conference, held in a new locale every two years. Next up: September 2022.

Membership is annual, for the 12 months of the calendar year. We accept payment during the year or the quarter before for the next year to align payment with the funding schedule of the grantmaker.

Please complete the membership application form or contact us with any questions.

AFN supports the development of regional chapters in areas with interested grantmakers. Please contact Kristin Rennels to explore the creation of a chapter in your area.

Please fill out our membership renewal form, or contact us for assistance.