Art Taylor, former head of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, will be the new president and chief executive officer of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) effective April 1. Taylor succeeds Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, who had served as president and CEO for the past seven and a half years. Geiger announced in May 2024 his plan to leave.
Taylor has decades of experience in philanthropy, governance, and nonprofit accountability. He was president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance for 23 years, where he championed charity transparency and ethical fundraising practices. He was among the first to champion the concept of donor trust and use of technology.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance under his leadership expanded charity evaluations, introduced the Accredited Charity Seal as a symbol of trustworthiness, and launched tools such as AskGive.org and GiveSafely.io to empower donors and enhance charitable giving. Also launched were resources such as the Give.org Donor Trust Report and Advancing Collaboration, shaping best practices in the sector.
Taylor has lectured at Columbia University and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and his influence has been widely recognized, including being recognized four times by The NonProfit Times in its annual Power & Influence Top 50.
Taylor is the creator and host of The Heart of Giving Podcast, a nationally recognized show that explores the transformative power of generosity and service, featuring conversations with philanthropic leaders, donors, and change-makers. He also co-authored “The Overhead Myth” letters, challenging misconceptions about nonprofit efficiency, and collaborated with GuideStar (now Candid) and Independent Sector to create “Charting Impact,” a framework to help charities communicate their effectiveness. Taylor has testified before Congress, contributed to numerous media outlets, and served on boards for organizations such as Franklin & Marshall College, the Salvation Army National Advisory Board, and the Mobile Giving Foundation.
“The AFP Global Board undertook a comprehensive CEO search to find our next leader. Throughout the process, I was impressed with Art Taylor’s leadership, presence, vision for AFP and ability to listen and respond authentically,” Roger Ali, MBA, C.Dir., CFRE, AFP Global board chair, said via a statement. “He is collaborative and understands the challenges our members are facing in these unusual times. I look forward to working with Art to respond to the needs of our members and better serve the profession.”
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of CEO for the Association of Fundraising Professionals,” said Taylor. “This is a pivotal moment for our profession, as fundraisers continue to be the essential bridge between societal needs and resources. I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for the nonprofit sector to AFP, working alongside our members to advance fundraising excellence and innovation.”
A Certified Public Accountant, Taylor holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College, a J.D. from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, and a certificate in Blockchain Strategy from the University of Oxford’s Said Business School.
“As president and CEO, Mike used his financial expertise to strengthen AFP’s operations and position the organization for future growth,” said Ali via a statement. “This foresight was crucial, as it allowed us the flexibility and the stability to help guide our profession through numerous challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, record-breaking inflation, and a shifting political landscape.”
For more information, go to afpglobal.org
