AFP Mahoning-Shenango Chapter

10/01/2025

AFPMASH National Philanthropy Day 2025 Honorees.

We are privileged to recognize their spirit of giving and the work they do to better our community.

National Philanthropy Day will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 14, 2025 at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. Reservations & sponsorships are available through the links below.

Reservations: https://bit.ly/4njfopq
Sponsor Opportunities: https://bit.ly/4m4pIAy

Sitting l-r: Isabella Williams (Young Philanthropist); Liz Bulkley Testa (Volunteer Fundraising Group); Courtney Lockshaw Campesi (for the Legacy Award Penners); Fred Moran (Outstanding Philanthropist); Pat Moran
Standing l-r: Ceyanne Ferenchak (Special Recognition); Lee Ruby (Special Recognition); Casey Krell (Outstanding Foundation); Patrick Moran; Angie Moran; Rev. Lewis Macklin (Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser); Mandi Moran Fluck;Tony Daprile (Outstanding Small Business); Amy Daprile

10/01/2025

AFPMASH Newsletter The MASH Up is available. https://bit.ly/486laGs

10/01/2025

The 2026 Chamberlain Scholarship application is available for the 26-28 April 2026 AFP International Fundraising Conference in San Diego, CA. Use link for details and application requirements: https://bit.ly/48ETZmk

09/30/2025

Job Posting:

Youngstown Area Jewish Federation
Clinical Social Worker

To Apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3605086/Youngstown-Area-Jewish-Federation/Clinical-Social-Worker

09/30/2025

FREE One-Year Memberships Available!
The Association of Fundraising Professionals is offering scholarships for a new one-year membership. Now is your opportunity to gain access to the best resources to help you and your organization succeed.
Application link: https://bit.ly/3EKWsP3

09/25/2025

To register: https://bit.ly/3Vg93yP

09/25/2025

Job Opening: Outreach Coordinator
Link for position details & application: https://bit.ly/4iN5Hx1

09/22/2025

AFP Mahoning-Shenango, member Deb Liptak, prepares for her next chapter in development and fundraising.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1P2VrVyw3g/

Deborah Liptak has served as the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s development director – its first – since 2002.

09/11/2025

AFPMASH Program
Resilient Missions: Funding, Messaging, & Advocacy in Uncertain Times

Friday, Sept 19
1130 am Registration
1200 pm Lunch
1230 pm Program

To register: https://bit.ly/3Vg93yP

We are pleased to confirm that Lynnette H. Forde, President, The Youngstown Foundation is joining our panel next Friday. She brings over two decades of experience as a non-profit executive. Lynnette received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, combined with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry.

Prior to her current position with the Youngstown Foundation, she was the vice president of Government Relations & Development for Circle Health Services and The Center for Families and Children, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive health care, behavioral health, early childhood education and workforce development services for Cuyahoga County residents.

She has had success in effective branding and positioning organization's objectives through public policy alignment, leveraging competitor research, industry analysis, and forecasting to generate actionable solutions. She is a motivational, influential leader and collaborator who guides team members in realizing cohesive project goals and visions, exceeding expectations through a people-focused approach.

She thrives in building and maintaining lasting relationships, leveraging communication skills and business acumen to converse with individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise. As an out-of-the-box thinker, she is committed to making continuous improvements in workplace culture, stakeholder relationships, community advocacy, and strategic fundraising to enable growth.

09/10/2025

2025 National Philanthropy Day Legacy Award
David and Benita Penner

David and Benita Penner were deeply devoted members of the Youngstown Area Jewish community and known not only for their warmth and kindness, but for their unwavering commitment to building a better future for others. They were very engaged in their community, taking part in weekly programs at the JCC of Youngstown and dedicating their time to volunteer with their synagogue.

David was born and raised in Youngstown. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned home to join his family’s furniture business before transitioning into a successful, decades-long career in insurance. Benita moved from Pittsburgh to Youngstown as a teenager and graduated from the Knox School in New York. She and David married in 1963 and built a full, joyful life centered around family, community and Jewish values. They were proud parents to their daughter Harriet and took immense joy in their role as grandparents to Holden.

Both were actively involved in the Jewish community and gave generously of their time, energy, and resources. David and Benita participated in Brotherhood and Sisterhood groups at their temple, congregation Rodef Sholom (now Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom), supported local programs and took pride in strengthening Jewish life here in our valley.

Before their passing, David in 2019 and Benita in 2020, they ensured their lifelong commitment to education and community engagement by establishing a transformative legacy gift of over $3,000,000. Their support benefits charitable organizations not only within the Jewish community but also across the broader region and internationally.

Through the Penner Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, grants are awarded annually to programs focused on breaking the cycle of poverty by expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, from birth through kindergarten.

The Penners’ story is one of devotion to family, to faith and to the future. Their memory continues to inspire, and their generosity continues to open doors for generations to come.

09/10/2025

The Association of Fundraising Professionals for the Mahoning and Shenango Valley is conducting a voluntary survey to assess current funding trends in our region. In light of recent government actions, it is crucial for us to understand any cuts or freezes in funding that could jeopardize vital community programs.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to answer these questions. Your responses will provide valuable insights into the philanthropic landscape of our community and will assist us in advocating with public officials when critical funding has been cut, reduced, or frozen by state or federal agencies.

We appreciate your willingness to share this sensitive information. Please rest assured that all survey responses will remain confidential. Names and organizations associated with the data will only be disclosed to the survey administrators. Thank you for your participation.

Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeLyKHUQFnrbY.../viewform