In a recent AFP Member Spotlight, Janny Chang, Ph.D., CFRE opens up about the winding route that led her from a doctorate in anthropology to a leadership role as development director at Hand in Hand: Domestic Employers Network. Her story intertwines field research, grant-making nuances, and a relentless appetite for learning, illustrating how a single word—curiosity—can steer an entire professional trajectory. Readers get a front-row seat to her reflections on mentorship, the benefits of AFP’s affinity groups, and the innovative ways she cultivates a culture of philanthropy within a national advocacy organization.
From anthropology labs to fundraising tables
While completing her doctoral studies, Chang spent several years embedded in nonprofit projects that supported communities in Sierra Leone. Managing finances, audits, and small-scale fundraising gave her a hands-on glimpse of the relational side of grant work—explaining research relevance, securing endorsements, and building networks. She notes that the graduate-school process itself mirrored fundraising dynamics, teaching her how to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives for potential supporters.
Her first full-time fundraising role emerged at the Next Einstein Forum, a startup incubated by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. There, Chang juggled content creation, a weekly newsletter, and an ambassadors program that paired emerging scientists with continental exposure. The experience sharpened her ability to secure resources for high-impact programs and reinforced the value of cross-cultural collaboration—skills she later refined at Clairbourn School, where she helped families fund endowments that underwrote scholarships for diverse learners.
Embedding philanthropy into advocacy work at Hand in Hand
At Hand in Hand, Chang’s remit extends beyond traditional donor asks. She mentors the organization’s development manager, coaches frontline organizers, and translates relationship-building into tangible support for domestic workers’ rights. By positioning fundraising as a natural extension of advocacy actions—such as employers becoming allies—her team helps members see giving as another avenue for meaningful participation. This shift required Chang to flex a new muscle: rather than making the ask herself, she now coaches others to recognize and leverage their own fundraising instincts.
The result, she explains, is a more resilient funding pipeline that does not overburden staff. By reinforcing existing relationships and providing ongoing guidance, the organization taps into a broader base of “philanthropic allies” without sacrificing mission-driven energy. Chang advises fellow fundraisers to audit their internal networks, identify natural advocates, and invest in continuous coaching to turn those advocates into donors.
AFP community, mentorship and the biggest challenges ahead
Joining AFP was a deliberate move for Chang, who values the space to exchange data-driven insights and hear stories from colleagues across sectors. A recent capital-campaign session in Dallas sparked fresh ideas about donor-lifecycle analytics, reinforcing her belief that peer learning fuels professional growth. Moreover, the organization’s affinity groups have given her a platform to discuss identity, culture, and belonging as an Asian-American woman in fundraising, amplifying the importance of inclusion within the profession.
Looking forward, Chang warns that the sector’s most pressing issue is staff sustainability. Fundraisers face mounting pressure to deliver more with fewer resources, making retention, mentorship, and equitable pathways essential. She commends AFP’s IDEA and FORGE initiatives for tackling these systemic gaps and urges emerging professionals to develop networks, stay curious, and continually refine their craft. In her words, “Stay curious, make friends, and keep learning.”
