April Educational Program & Networking
You Got the Gift—Now What?
Grant E. Martin, FAFP - Vice President, Philanthropy, United Way Suncoast
Marc S. Saffren, CFRE - Founder & Partner, m3 Development
In the pursuit of new gifts and ambitious campaign goals, many tax-exempt organizations unintentionally neglect one of the most critical phases of fundraising: what happens after the gift is made. Too often, stewardship is reduced to a receipt, a form letter, or an annual report—missing the opportunity to build deeper relationships with the donors who already support the vision and mission.
We will explore the mistakes that quietly erode donor relationships and undermine long--term philanthropic support, examining how effective stewardship strengthens donor trust, organizational accountability, and ethical fundraising practices. This, in turn, improves donor retention and lifetime giving.
Through practical examples and shared experiences, attendees will learn cost-effective strategies for acknowledging gifts, communicating impact, and engaging donors as partners in mission delivery. They will leave with practical tools they can immediately implement to ensure that stewardship becomes an essential component of the development plan, involving board members, staff, and volunteers.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2026
11:30 am Networking
12:00 pm Program & Lunch Service
Location:
Brio Italian Grille | International Plaza | 2223 N. Westshore Blvd. Tampa FL 33607
Meal Choices
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Fettuccine Alfredo
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Chicken Limone with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Broccolini
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Program Fee
AFP Member - $35.00
Guest - $45.00
The program will only be offered in-person. Please indicate when registering your meal choice for meal planning purposes.
AFP Tampa Bay aims to be accessible and inclusive to all of our members and guests. If you require special accommodations, please let us know via email so we can plan to make adjustments to the program
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Approved for 1 hour CFRE
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Speaker Bios
Marc S. Saffren, CFRE
Marc S. Saffren, CFRE is a founder and partner of m3 Development, a full-service consulting firm for non-profits and foundations. His leadership of the firm and consulting efforts has led to a great deal of success for m3 Development clients over the last two decades. For more than 30 years, Marc has been at the forefront of all facets of the philanthropic world developing cutting edge solutions and practices for charities, families, corporations, and foundations nationwide.
Prior to m3 Development, Marc worked with the Jewish Fund for Justice; American Cancer Society, Eastern Division; Family Counseling Service; The March of Dimes and Touro Law School. Marc is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a member of the AFP Omega Circle. Marc previously served on the Board of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy; Board of AFP – Long Island Chapter; Alumni Council at Suffolk County Community College; and as Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors of Sigma Pi Fraternity.
Marc strongly believes in the value of work/life balance. He is a proud Father of 3 children. Marc is dedicated to life-long fitness and is a Triathlete, having completed over 20 races of varied course distances. He volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors of the Wildwood Warriors Triathlon Club and is a founder of the Lightning Warriors Youth Triathlon Club. In addition to volunteer service, He gives back to the profession through sharing his experience and has been an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University, Long Island University, lecturer at Columbia University, and a faculty member at LaGrange University. Marc resides on Long Island, NY and in Bradenton, Florida.
Grant E. Martin, FAFP
Grant Martin, FAFP, is a highly accomplished fundraiser with a track record of raising over $200 million for museums, universities, and social organizations. He brings a wealth of experience in capital and annual fund campaigns, major and planned giving, donor stewardship, and non-profit administration.
In 2000 and 2009, Grant served as President of the AFP Tampa Bay Chapter and was a founding member of the Florida Caucus and Planet Philanthropy. In 2010, he represented the Chapter President’s Council on the AFP International Board, was selected as Chair Appointee to the Board in 2010, and served as Vice Chair for the Professional Advancement Division from 2011 to 2012. Additionally, he was a member of the CFRE International Advisory Committee from 2011 to 2012.
Grant was recognized as a Distinguished AFP Fellow by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his leadership contributions to the fundraising and philanthropic communities. In 2017, he received the Lloyd Horton Lifetime Award from the AFP Tampa Bay Chapter in recognition of his career success and contributions to the fundraising profession.
Currently, Grant holds the position of Vice President for Philanthropy at the United Way Suncoast, where he is overseeing the Centennial Campaign. He also serves as the President of the Rotary Club of Tampa Foundation.
Grant is a Tampa Bay native. He and his wife, Lisa, reside in Dade City, Florida.
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Meeting Guidelines
AFP Tampa Bay recognizes the importance of personal connection, but your health is our priority. We continue to monitor the community level for our area and follow CDC recommendations.
We ask that you not attend if:
- You have recently tested positive for COVID-19. Use the self-evaluation tool HERE to determine when you may return to in-person meetings after testing positive.
- You have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- You are waiting on COVID-19 test results.
- You feel you may be becoming sick, running a fever, or experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
