Indiana State University Newsroom

The Association of Fundraising Professionals has granted ISU's request to form a collegiate chapter of the organization on the ISU campus.

By establishing this chapter, ISU American Humanics students will have access to members of the organization's Indianapolis-based professional chapter.

The professionals will mentor students with the skills they need to complete the requirements for their nonprofit management certification.

American Humanics, Inc. is a nationally recognized certification program that trains students in nonprofit management. Through the program, students develop leadership and fundraising skills. They also study nonprofit law and they develop their abilities to manage volunteers and organize boards and committees.

Students who enroll in the program at ISU work toward certification from American Humanics by meeting a variety of curricular and co-curricular requirements. Having a student chapter of the organization on campus is a real benefit for ISU, said assistant professor and American Humanics program director Nathan Schaumleffel.

"The AFP Collegiate Chapter status gives our students access to fundraising professionals and orients them to the ethical standards and professional competencies of fundraising," Schaumleffel said. "The partnership between our collegiate chapter and the Indianapolis professional chapter will give students the experience they need at a professional level."

As a collegiate chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, ISU is also entitled to one free student registration at the organization's annual international conference.

Schaumleffel said the efforts of ISU American Humanics student Aliya Khan, as well as the ISU Foundation Board's annual commitment of $1,500 for three years, were instrumental in getting the chapter established.

"The ISU Foundation has been a firm supporter of our program not just with this initiative but through its student mentoring assistance from numerous Foundation fundraising professionals," Schaumleffel said. "This just wouldn't happen without the support of the Foundation's board and staff."

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Contact: Nathan Schaumleffel, assistant professor of recreation and sport management and campus/executive director of American Humanics, College of Nursing, Health and Human Services, Indiana State University at 812-237-2189, or nathan.schaumleffel@indstate.edu.

Writer: Rachel Wedding McClelland, assistant director of media relations, Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University at 812-237-3790 or rachel.mcclelland@indstate.edu.