fundraising manager

regional director

program manager

fundraiser

special events manager

American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

I want to note the majority of the positive reviews are from volunteers in the chapters. I worked in the national office and had quite the opposite experience.

Toxic work culture. No opportunity for creativity and advancement. I did not have the technology I needed to get my job done, despite the annual revenue being $50+ million each year. Small projects took years to get done due to workplace politics. Unprofessional behavior among staff is not addressed and therefore seen as acceptable. Instead of letting unproductive higher-ups go, they keep them onboard and move them to another department, continuing the cycle of toxicity. High turnover because leadership refuses to change or intervene in this toxic cycle.

AFSP spends a ludicrous amount of money on annual conferences and wooing corporate donors. Very white and privileged staff. No effort made to reach underserved populations. This org takes advantage of people’s trauma by sucking them into the cause then using them to get donations and volunteer their time, to the point of exploiting them as free labor. Without these unpaid volunteers, and their traumas that make them so passionate and willing to do anything to raise money, this org could not exist. Volunteers would be shocked to hear the conversations that happen behind closed doors.

The cause is good but the leadership and execution is one of an entitled org based in NYC that is out of touch from what the needs are on the ground. AFSP refuses to adapt to the times and change its culture.

Volunteer board members are tasked with hefty work demands tantamount to a part-time paid worker. They also are required to donate or raise at least $1000 each year. I was repeatedly asked by my local AFSP staff area director to solicit more and MORE money from suicide-loss survivors and suicide-attempt survivors (those with "lived experience"). The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's #1 focus is on raising money for its national office's executive salaries and merchandising. After years of volunteering and raising and donating thousands of dollars for the AFSP, it ultimately did nothing of actual use in my community. Your time and money are better spent supporting your local suicide-prevention lifeline. As a survivor of suicide loss, I now see that the AFSP machine took repeated advantage of my grief, time, and resources. Volunteer at your own risk.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Everyone is amazing!! ❤️🙏❤️ It’s so fun and there’s all kinds of events happening and it’s just a blast. It feels so good to help others 🫶!!!

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Sometimes it can get emotional. But that’s life in general. It’s a really low stress environment, believe it or not. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Super inclusive and inviting to all. The more the merrier when working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Day to day changes constantly but you can always count on having fun!

This is a tough job for anyone. You have to have the mental fortitude to withstand the emotional challenges that come with it and be prepared to pick up the slack when no one else will. As an area director, you work mostly with volunteers, some are very reliable, and others require focused coaching. It has been my experience that you mostly work alone with some help from your regional or national office. I would suggest not entering this field without a real passion for the mission to help keep you grounded during an evolving organization's growing pains. 

This is a company that not only changes lives but it continues to keep the public/communities together in the worst group you will ever want to be in but end up in. Suicide prevention, survivors, and those who have attempted. The company, volunteers and the ones who reach out for help are all absolutely amazing. This is a company you do not join because you need a job or a steady paycheck. This is an organization that you want and need to be apart of because you have been touched my the loss, depression, attempted loss of someone you care about and you want to help stop that feeling to happen to someone else. This is hands down to me the best organization in the world! 

What is the best part of working at the company?
I'm a volunteer, The Staff is the best I have ever worked with in my 50yrs of field work experience.  The job is super important and meaningful and I can go home knowing I made a difference in someone's life.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Starting the conversation.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Everyone is there to make a difference, over 95 % our volunteers

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Setting up and taking down our mobile booth at an event, Talking with people
who have lost a close friend or family member through suicide.

I am called upon to speak to the public and legislators on a federal level about important issues regarding suicide prevention. Research, writing, positive feedback. Opportunities to meet important political figures. Recent achievement from the team was the passing of the Clay Hunt Act.

Employees want to work for AFSP to support the work of suicide prevention. In its hey day, that is what AFSP stood for and represented. Now, it stands for raising money and being recognized as "the best". If you fit the the majority demographic and are cut throat as a business professional, than this is your kind of place. If you're into nonprofits that want to do good work and be in an ethical environment, then stay away. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The people you help. Knowing you are making a difference 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Organizing and getting people to help

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Positive and helpful . Lots of passion 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Searching for vendors and volunteers

Throughout the Portland area, I gave public presentations using AFSP's curriculum, Talk Saves Lives. I have presented at many high schools, In addition, I am a walk committee member for the Out of Darkness Community walk since 2017. Event Management-My duties included, organizing the details for the Memorial Garden, manage volunteers, set up/break down.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Fundraising manager 12 salaries reported	$67,875 per year
Regional director 21 salaries reported	$72,424 per year
Program manager 4 salaries reported	$60,000 per year
Fundraiser 10 salaries reported	$57,500 per year
Special events manager 3 salaries reported	$60,000 per year

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