The War Memorial Eagerly Shares Team Member’s Acceptance into Fisher Fellowship Program

The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI is pleased to announce that Development Associate, Josiah Foster, has been accepted into the 2020 class of Marjorie S. Fisher Fellows. This year-long fellowship, a program powered by The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Detroit, strives to empower and educate future fundraiser in the area. Foster kickstarted his fellowship by hosting the July 9 Virtual Townhall, a bi-weekly meeting held for AFP of Greater Detroit members.  

Over a year-long period, Foster will receive the following benefits of the program:

  • A membership in The Association of Fundraising Professionals

  • Financial assistance to attend up to six educational programs over the course of the year

  • Inclusion in the Mentorship AFP program

The Mentorship AFP will pair Foster with a seasoned fundraiser for the duration of his fellowship. This mentorship allows for professional development and guidance to navigate the everchanging fundraising landscape. In addition to networking opportunities, Foster will join interactive conference calls led by senior level professionals, all providing invaluable information which Foster will be able to actively implement at The War Memorial.

“I could not be more excited for this fellowship and opportunity, as it is truly an honor to be accepted into such a distinguished and respected program,” said Foster. “As a recent college graduate, and a burgeoning young professional, being given the opportunity to network and expand my connections is critical to my success in the fundraising field. My hope is that this experience brings me a greater understanding of development and the key players, as well as best practices that allow me to grow my portfolio of expertise and share with my colleagues at The War Memorial.”

Foster holds his Associates Degree in Business and certificate in liberal arts from Washtenaw Community College, and in Fall 2019 he graduated from the School of Public Health at The University of Michigan. Having held various fundraising positions at local Ypsilanti non-profits, as well as the University of Michigan Developmental Supplemental Instruction Program, Josiah assumed his current position at The War Memorial in January 2020. 

Foster, who works closely with War Memorial Fundraising Council Michael Montgomery, handles much of the daily operations of the Institutional Advancement department.  Foster’s responsibilities include overseeing fundraising events, managing donations, enhancing and developing donor relationships, and seeking out and applying for local and national grant programs. Fundraising principles developed and learned during this fellowship will be beneficial to Foster and Montgomery as they embark on The War Memorial’s capital improvement campaign over the next few years. 

“Josiah is a bright addition to the team here at The War Memorial, and we are exhilarated to see what this next year brings him,” said Montgomery. “As a member of AFP myself, I know the benefits of aligning with top fundraisers and organizations. The skills and expertise that Josiah will gain over this next year are invaluable, and I feel lucky to be along for the ride. His commitment to The War Memorial and our mission is undeniable, and his yearning to grow and expand his network through learning opportunities and this fellowship is nothing short of respectable.” 

A limited number of fellowships are available each year. In order to be considered, each applicant must be currently employed by a local non-profit in or serving the constituents of Detroit, under the age of 30, and not a current AFP member. Past fellows have worked for institutions such as Gleaners Community Food Bank, The Youth Connection, and the Belle Isle Conservancy.

To learn more about development and ways to support The War Memorial, please visit www.warmemorial.org/support.

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About The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit 

AFP is the only association representing the entire fundraising profession. It exists to foster the development and growth of fundraising professionals, to preserve and enhance philanthropy and volunteerism, and to promote the highest ethical standards in the fundraising profession worldwide.

Greater Detroit AFP has more than 300 members from seven counties in southeast Michigan. The Greater Detroit Chapter of AFP offers the best networking opportunities, an unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards, and the most exciting and cutting edge educational and professional advancement opportunities. 


About The War Memorial

For more than 70 years, The War Memorial has been Metro Detroit’s patriotic, cultural, and community center – a unique environment with more than 3,000 events and 250,000 visitors annually.

The War Memorial provides a place to celebrate the ideals of American democracy and to honor and remember those who have defended those ideals with tireless effort and personal sacrifice.

World-class cultural and artistic offerings in 2019 included live performances by The Juilliard String Quartet; Michigan Opera Theatre; Imani Winds; and members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. A full season of live cinematic broadcasts from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera thrilled audiences, as did The War Memorial’s premiere participation in the Freep Film Festival.

The organization’s ever-growing commitment to presenting influential and inspiring speakers has included former first daughter Barbara Pierce Bush; Maj. Mary Jennings Hegar; Dr. Cornell West; Glennon Doyle Melton; and many local and regional intellectuals, including a full series of lectures from Oakland University professors. Additionally, The War Memorial hosts discussions with regional and national thought leaders on its monthly radio show and podcast, Inspired Heroes.

Community celebrations included SummerFest, the annual multiweek festival of free concerts, movies, and theatrical performances.

Patriotic and veterans’ events included the longstanding and beloved Memorial Day Service; 9/11 Service of Remembrance; Veterans Day Breakfast; 1,000 Christmas Salutes; as well as enlistment and retirement ceremonies, free military concerts, and the Evening of Red, White, and Blue gala fundraiser.

The War Memorial serves its community by supporting the diverse offerings of resident partners, including, but not limited to, the Grosse Pointe Artists Association; the Grosse Pointe Garden Center; The Family Center; the Junior League of Detroit; the Grosse Pointes-Harper Woods NAACP Branch; the Eastside Republican Club; the Grosse Pointe Democratic Club; the Grosse Pointe Senior Ladies Club; the Senior Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe; the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club; and faith-based youth group, WyldLife.

Ranked a top Grosse Pointe attraction by survey respondents, The Patriot Theater at The War Memorial features a wide variety of films and documentaries ranging from historical dramas, comedies, children’s entertainment and art appreciation, as well as partnerships with authors and filmmakers. In 2019, The Patriot Theater became a premiere venue for the Freep Film Festival; this honor will continue in 2020.

With new programming and innovative leadership, The War Memorial is a unique, dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan with a mission to be a patriotic, cultural, and community leader. More information can be found at www.warmemorial.org


Media Contacts

Jessi Kaminski
Manager of Communications and Programming
313.332.4053
jkaminski@warmemorial.org


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