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Elevating Your Career and the Profession

By Wesley Scott posted 4 days ago
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“Let’s be honest. What we do is sales.” Ugh. How many times have philanthropy professionals heard this, from our own ranks, nonetheless? Just recently, at a professional development luncheon, this very statement was exclaimed. To my dismay, many nodded their heads in agreement. While I certainly recognize the foundation our noble profession has in sales, marketing, and other fields, we have evolved to be so much more than “sales.” Let me be clear. There is nothing wrong with sales, but we know our profession—philanthropy—is about the betterment of humankind, not the benefit of a bottom line. Our profession has seen a great evolution over the last 30+ ...
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5 Tips for Successfully Taking on a New Donor Portfolio

By Andrew Polter posted 02-23-2023
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Taking on a new fundraising role can be equally exciting and daunting. You may be mentally prepared to hit the ground running, but here are five tips to consider before you start making those asks. 1. Get the Lay of the Land While your role may be responsible for developing relationships with donors, remember that building internal connections will be just as critical to your success. Take time to meet with your new teammates and understand how you fit within the group. What are their various roles and areas of expertise? How will you interact with them and when should you partner with specific individuals? Spend at least 30 minutes meeting ...
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Making the Complex Simple Through Action

By Kimberly Karol posted 01-24-2023
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Like most children, I reveled in the days that found my classrooms in the dark to illuminate images on TV. On those days, I’d get lost in the action projected on the screen and forget that I was different. When the lights were turned off and the blinds closed, we were all the same—no shades of black, brown, or white skin to separate us. In my young mind, I could just fade into the shadowed room and be like everyone else—or at least invisible—for a few hours. I could recast myself and no longer be the Black girl—the one of these who didn’t belong. I was just another kid, and I felt safe. Growing up, these thoughts followed me as I aged. Just blend in. Don’t ...
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Why Introverts Make the Best Major Gift Fundraisers

By Emma Lewzey posted 01-19-2023
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When people think of a talented fundraising professional, many immediately imagine a gregarious outgoing personality with the gift of the gab—but not so fast. Introverts have their merits, too. The past few years I have been sharing and reflecting on being an introvert and how it contributes to my fundraising success. As a consultant with Blue Sky Philanthropy, I have had the pleasure of working with many fundraisers. I know that those who count themselves as introverted bring a special set of skills to every table. For me, being an introvert simply means you gather, regain, or recharge your energy in a different way than extroverts do. The “Extrovert Ideal” ...
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12 Questions That Lead to Hiring the Best Professional Fundraisers

By Parool Shah posted 01-05-2023
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Good professional fundraisers are hard to find…and difficult to retain. So, what can we do as prospective employers to hire fundraising talent that suits our needs and organisation? Screening Tips From a Recruiter in the Sector As a former fundraiser who has moved into the fundraising, philanthropy, and advancement recruitment sector, I know first-hand that screening is crucial to hiring success. It is the first step that any applicant must face, and it is important to ensure you don’t miss out on your dream candidate. Hiring the “right” talent requires an investment of time and energy. The last thing you want is to be so restrictive you lose out on quality ...
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Scared What an Impending Recession Could Mean for You and Your Team? Tom Berekoff on Why Fundraisers Shouldn’t Panic

By Ashley Gatewood posted 12-15-2022
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CFRE International Board Chair Tom Berekoff, MA, CFRE, knows a looming recession shouldn’t put terror in the hearts of fundraising executives. With 30 years in the sector, he’s seen the procession of countless challenges (and sometimes downright scary ones) development teams can come up against. I recently interviewed him and he shared his wise advice for any fundraiser feeling on edge about what may await in 2023. Fundraising during a recession is nothing new to you. For development staff looking to prepare now for a possible 2023 recession, what are your top pieces of advice? Tom: This is a very important question. We often presume because there is an ...
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5 Essential Steps to Prepare for Your Next Interview

By Andrew Polter posted 12-06-2022
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Congratulations! You’ve just landed an interview with your dream employer. Now that you’re ready to move forward with this opportunity, let’s ensure you’re setting yourself up for success on your big day. Here is how to prepare and approach your interview like a well-deserving finalist. Do Your Research First, start by reviewing the organization’s website. Study how they talk about themselves. Do they share information about their mission? Is there a vision statement or strategic plan listed anywhere? How about a list of key leaders? This information should be readily available and will help you understand who they are, gauge progress on their ...
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Don’t Select a Capital Campaign Consultant Without Reading These 4 Tips

By Clive Pedley posted 11-28-2022
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When selecting a capital campaign consultant, there is no margin for error. Capital campaigns are usually linked to big, audacious (and often public) goals. When successful, they herald in a historic moment that will have a profound impact on the organization and those it serves. Capital campaigns are also challenging. Even if your supporter network is ready, the capacity and capability within the leadership of the organization (yes, it’s definitely about more than just the fundraising team!) means you need to engage with experienced consultants who can successfully guide you to success. How does an organization go about choosing a fundraising ...
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Convincing a Skeptical Boss to Support Your Professional Development

By Ashley Gatewood posted 10-27-2022
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You’re a fundraising professional who knows all about making asks and timing conversations. Even still, it can feel intimidating to ask your boss to support your professional learning objectives. Before you go into that conversation, take comfort in some recent stats. CFRE International conducted an illuminating poll on LinkedIn in July 2022. From the poll's 496 respondents, we discovered many employers are willing to put money towards part or all of the cost of staff members' professional development. When it comes to your professional development registration costs, who pays? My employer pays 100% 45% I pay 100% 33% ...
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Coping When a Work Setback Throws You Into a Doubt Spiral

By Ashley Gatewood posted 10-19-2022
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Not everything in your career will go your way. You may miss targets. Your best co-workers may sail off into the sunset for a new opportunity, leaving you feeling abandoned and picking up their workload until new staff are trained. You may make a flub in a conversation with a major donor that rattles around in your head for weeks. These things happen. When they do, doubt easily seeps in. Am I in the right profession? Am I good enough? Why do others seem to have an easy time attaining wins while I fight tooth and nail for mine? An Enemy of Our Own Creation It is normal to question your skills and abilities. Think back on the times you did. They likely ...
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Speak up! 8 Tips for Submitting Your First Fundraising Conference Session Proposal

By Ashley Gatewood posted 09-07-2022
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Whether you’re looking to start speaking at conferences to build your personal brand, attract clients, or earn your CFRE Education points more quickly (one hour presenting = two points), throwing your hat in the ring for the first time can feel equal parts exhilarating and nerve-wracking. "For first-time speakers the biggest hurdle is often feeling that you won't be good enough or experienced enough to present. It's important to remember you have as much right to the microphone as anyone else and that we can all benefit from you sharing your experiences, both positive and negative. Don't hold back," says Simon Scriver, co-founder of Everywhere+ and Fundraising ...
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What to Do When Your Board Has No Interest in Fundraising?

By Beverly Neisler posted 08-31-2022
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As the leader, I believe it is my job to collaborate with the board to set high but attainable expectations as to how they will function. In my experience, board members want to be involved but they want staff to be in charge and guide them along the way. Fundraising is scary for most volunteers. It is a rare find to recruit a person to the board who is completely comfortable with making the ask. If you have that gem on your board, congratulations! Skills and Assets Starting with a solid nomination and vetting process is key. Taking a “skills and asset” inventory of your current board helps with recruiting. You want a diverse board comprised of people who ...
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Five of My Favourite Questions to Address During Strategic Planning Exercises

By Tom Brady posted 08-23-2022
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The ol’ strategic planning exercise. That time of the year when everyone is in a room fighting for their priorities for the next 12 months. Or is it? Many strategic planning exercises tend to be no more than creating a plan in time to comply with the policy that says we need a plan. As such, they follow a template (often the last strategic plan) which can lead to a box-ticking approach. Instead, a strategic planning exercise should be where governance and leadership get together to determine a common understanding of who they are, where they’re going, each groups’ role in getting there, what it will look like when they do, and how they’ll communicate ...
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Leveraging Data in Performance Conversations: 4 Essentials

By Dennis Meyer posted 08-19-2022
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It’s no secret many nonprofits struggle with performance management and talent retention. In fact, roughly four out of five nonprofit executives say they lack a dedicated talent retention strategy. This is what makes it so important for nonprofit professionals to act as their own advocates and decisively lead performance conversations. After all, in a sector where many organizations struggle to create a solid infrastructure for rewarding and retaining talent, you may be called upon to help drive the performance management process. In particular, strategically leveraging data can have a big impact on your ability to lead these conversations, demonstrate ...
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How to Navigate the Current Economy – or any Financial Crisis – as a Fundraiser

By Craig Shelley posted 08-18-2022
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An uncertain economy. Markets gyrating. World events looming large. It all feels like a lot. And, oddly familiar. We’ve been here before. In fact, the U.S. economy has undergone 12 financial crises in the last 50 years. That’s one roughly every four years. Whether you’re old enough to have raised money through the “Great Recession,” during the post-9/11 period of very real fear and uncertainty, or were even just working as a fundraiser through the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve been here before and survived. So, let’s not panic! As we navigate this economic period, recession or not, there are a few things I’d encourage every successful fundraiser ...
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5 Tips for Starting Your First Chief Development Officer Position

By Tycely Williams posted 08-08-2022
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Congratulations! Your hard work paid off. Your Chief Development Officer title is not who you are or an indication of success or failure. You were competent and capable before this promotion. Undoubtedly, you will be stronger and wiser after this commitment concludes. Yet, with this present opportunity, you will only exceed expectations with a courageous activation of authenticity. You were chosen because of your unique strengths. As you prepare to plan your work and work your plan, may these five tips broadly influence your beliefs and positively impact your behavior. For these five tips to ring true, integrate wisdom from your lived experiences, rely ...
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5 Tips to Fight Recession Career Anxiety: Get Ready for the Unexpected Now

By Ashley Gatewood posted 08-05-2022
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When is the best time to solve a problem? Before it happens. If the possibility of a looming recession and its potential impact on your career are keeping you up at night, don’t get anxious—get to work. Ready That Resume Dust off your resume or CV and update it with your recent career wins and accomplishments. As always, have a trusted friend read it over closely to check for grammatical and spelling errors. They can also let you know of any areas where you are selling yourself short. Verify past employers are still operating under the same name as when you worked there. Check you have your references’ current contact information. Level Up Your LinkedIn ...
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What to Do When You Bump Up Against an Executive Director That Pumps the Breaks on Your Big Idea

By Joanne Toller posted 07-26-2022
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Just over one year ago, I found myself bumping up against a new manager who was utterly resistant to my big ideas. I had spent six years working for this charity, building their fund development program, and implementing traditional campaigns alongside new and creative digital initiatives. I loved this charity. I put my heart and soul into my work with them. Suddenly, I found myself consistently hearing the word “no.” I also heard statements like, “That won't work” and, “I would hate that if I were a donor. Frustrated and indignant, I quit in a blaze of glory. She wasn’t even a CFRE! In hindsight, I should have managed things differently. In ...
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Four Ideas to Motivate Unmotivated Team Members

By Samantha Laprade posted 07-19-2022
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Motivating employees who have lost the pep in their step is an exercise in patience, tenacity and flexibility. We have all journeyed through these uncertain times. Even the most dedicated employee has felt unmotivated for days or weeks at a time. Managing people has changed and thank heavens! Punitive, shaming and heavy-handed boss tactics have been replaced with servant leadership. Servant leadership combines listening, empathy, stewardship and collaboration. Those leaders who encourage diversity, create a culture of trust, foster leadership in others, and make the work less about themselves as the leader and more about the work are witnessing firsthand ...
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Why Exceptional Leaders Support Their Staff In Pursuing Professional Development

By Eva Aldrich posted 06-29-2022
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Over the last few decades, I’ve spoken with a wide variety of fundraising leaders about what they see as key components of their department’s success. Invariably, the topic of supporting professional development for fundraising team members comes up. Some leaders quickly dismiss the value of professional development, seeing it as a “nice to have” rather than a “have to have.” Others are pessimists worried that fundraising professionals who have opportunities to learn will simply take that knowledge and head out the door with the next new employment opportunity that comes along. However, the leaders I’d characterize as exceptional—those who build strong ...
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