Foundation

Foundation

Association Forum's Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from the Association Forum. It was founded in 1987 with the purpose of enhancing the Association Forum's programs and services through new education, research and scholarship initiatives.

MAKE A DONATION
MAKE A RECURRING PLEDGE


NEW! Member Support Fund

Empowering Association Professionals to Rise, Rebuild, and Renew

When life or work shifts, your career journey doesn’t have to pause.

The Association Forum Foundation’s Member Support Fund helps association professionals stay connected, reskill, and continue growing—no matter what season they’re in.

Whether you’re facing reduced hours, in between positions, or re-entering the profession, this fund ensures you can access the learning, community, and opportunities that keep your career moving forward.

Why It Matters

The Member Support Fund is more than financial assistance—it’s a bridge to opportunity.
It’s how our community stands together to ensure every association professional can continue learning, leading, and contributing to the industry we love.

LEARN MORE


Funding and Donations

Association Forum's Foundation has been funded over the years through donations — large and small — made by individual members of the Association Forum, as well as Chicago associations and supporting member companies represented by the Association Forum.

Association Forum members may contribute to the Association Forum Foundation each year on their membership dues renewal form or by contacting the president and CEO. Most contributions to the Association Forum Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Association Forum Foundation also welcomes the sponsorship of special programs or services from supplier partners that require the use of a 501(c)(3) organization to make contributions.

MAKE A DONATION

 

Governance

The Association Forum's Board of Directors also serves as the Association Forum Foundation's Board of Directors. The Association Forum Foundation is incorporated as a Not For Profit Corporation in the State of Illinois and has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.

View the Board of Directors


 

 initiatives

Every year, the Association Forum Foundation supports several educational programs and scholarships for Chicago’s association management community.

Scholarship Opportunities