ABOUT US
    Meeting the Needs of Suburban Philanthropic Organizations

    In 1986, a group of fund development professionals began meeting in the western suburbs of Chicago.  Seven
    years later, this group was invited by the Chicago Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (better
    known today as the Association of Fundraising Professionals) to participate in a special interest group.  Eight
    people attended the first meeting, and at the end of that same year the membership had already swelled to 38!  By
    the fall of 2002, the group had grown so large it was no longer simply a special interest group, its new name was
    the West Suburban Philanthropic Network. Today, WSPN serves over 200 members and is an independent 501(c)
    (3) organization.  

    WSPN 's Mission is to:
    Offer support to development professionals and advance philanthropy.

    WSPN fulfills this mission in the following ways:

  • Invites new members to join from philanthropic organizations in the western suburbs
  • Offers 8-10 programs from September to June
  • Brings a special speaker to the western suburbs to present on a current not-for-profit topic
  • Hosts an Annual Awards Luncheon to recognize local philanthropists and organizations
  • Encourages members to participate in our peer mentoring program to learn from other fundraising
    professionals
  • Publishes a quarterly newsletter, Viewpoint, to keep all members well-informed
  • Provides scholarships to members to attend local seminars, conferences, and classes related to
    philanthropy

    WSPN continues its long-standing tradition of providing guidance, networking opportunities, and education to those
    who serve not-for-profit organizations in the western suburbs.  

    Click here to meet the WSPN Board