About ACF
Welcome Statement
The Association for Christian Fundraising seeks to fully reflect the body of Christ as our members pursue their respective vocations in serving God’s church and world.
Together we explore and share best practices in the fields of fundraising and nonprofit leadership through the lens of a Christian perspective. We offer excellent educational opportunities and a network of caring colleagues. We strive to strengthen, encourage, and welcome ALL dedicated professionals.
ACF was formerly known ALDE - the Association of Lutheran Development Executives - but we elevated our identity in 2022 to better welcome professionals from all expressions of Christianity.
Learn with us. Engage with us. Share your challenges. Share your joys.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV)
You have found a place where you belong.
Our Future Together
ACF Strategic Plan: From Vision to Action
Announced by Jeri Pat Gabbert, CFRE
President, ACF Board of Directors
This past year, ACF embarked on an inspiring strategic planning journey with the expert guidance of Dr. Patton McDowell, CFRE, and the team at PMA Nonprofit Leadership. With valuable input from members and stakeholders — through surveys, interviews, and focus groups — we developed a bold plan that reflects our values, advances our priorities, and captures the aspirations of our community.
Launching Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan: From Vision to Action
This plan will guide ACF’s work over the next three years through five bold pillars:
- Member Growth, Retention & Engagement
Double paying membership to 700 by 2028, build stronger regional affiliates, and increase year-round connection.
- Inclusion & Belonging
Make ACF known for a culture of welcome and affirmation — rooted in faith and reflective of our members’ diversity.
- Leadership Development
Strengthen onboarding, succession planning, and accountability tools to ensure healthy leadership transitions and alignment.
- Revenue Diversification & Marketing
Grow diverse and sustainable revenue streams — moving beyond our reliance on conference proceeds — while aligning all marketing efforts around these strategic priorities.
- Systems & Operational Capacity
Invest in scalable platforms, staffing, and internal systems to support our members and mission with excellence.
These pillars represent our collective outlook on how ACF will support members, grow our influence, and enhance our shared purpose of advancing Christian philanthropy.
Download the Strategic Plan Executive Summary
“These priorities reflect a shared vision for how ACF can serve members, strengthen faith-based fundraising, and expand our impact. I invite you to stay engaged and help us bring this vision to life.”
-Jeri Pat Gabbert, CFRE
Identity
The Association for Christian Fundraising (ACF) aspires to be the primary resource for those who value philanthropy through the lens of Christian principles. Members serve nonprofit organizations and those complementary businesses that support them. ACF has a renewed focus to provide a collegial setting and Christian perspective for professionals working in nonprofit fundraising, communications, marketing, leadership, and related fields from a variety of faith traditions. Read the press release announcing our new identity. Members come from a wide range of organizations: congregations, schools, outdoor ministries, retreat centers, youth ministries, higher education, seminaries, campus ministries, districts/synods, church bodies, financial services, charitable foundations, consulting firms, museums, arts/culture, social ministries/services, health care, and more.
Core Values
Vocation drives Faith-filled Service, which requires Rigorous, High Quality Education as well as Mentoring and Collaboration in the context of professional Collegiality lived out through, and spilling over into, Friendships, Connections and Relationships.
Mission
ACF inspires, educates, and mentors the Christian fundraising community to spark generosity for mission.
Vision
ACF will become the leading resource for Christian fundraising and communication professionals.
Financial Statements
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