Although I have been working deeply in the foundation industry and field of philanthropy for the last 13 years, I have been a fundraiser, in some form, since the moment I stepped out of college. My father shared his love of his service on boards, leading fundraising campaigns, and his strong roots in local faith based outreach.
Service and giving back are deeply instilled in my upbringing.
My first roles in “development” were all but traditional.
As a program manager in one not-for-profit position, I played a customer service role. In another I served as public relations manager. It wasn’t until after I went to business school that I had my first REAL job in Development, helping run a $250 million capital campaign for Davidson College.
The lessons learned from my informal education in fundraising and building relationships, partnered with my formal development practices led me to look a bit differently at my work.
Here are a few lessons learned that tell you more about my approach when working with a non profit organization or fundraising team.
5 Key Lessons from My Nonprofit and Fundraising Experience
-
-
Development Is Mission-Driven and Community-Focused
Development isn’t just about raising money—it’s about deeply knowing your programs, your community, and your audience. I’ve learned that you can’t just talk to donors; you have to bring your mission to them. Aligning every decision with your core purpose keeps your work authentic and impactful. -
Build Relationships & Tell Stories
I get restless sitting still, so I make a point to connect with colleagues across the organizations in which I work. At the Hospital for Special Surgery, I was the first from my office to regularly meet with doctors, asking about their expertise and passion for healing. Building these relationships helped me tell powerful stories to publications like the New York Post and Women’s Health These stories brought in knowledgeable patients to the doctors and resulted in more donors to us. -
Ask Authentic Questions of Donors
One of my favorite roles was with an international organization. I spent time understanding each program’s needs by speaking with program directors, then traveled to Miami and Bolivia to hold meetings in Spanish with corporate partners who were our funders. By sitting down face-to-face, I quickly learned that their real interests often differed from what was in their glossy brochures. By aligning our programs with their true challenges, we secured larger and longer-term donations. -
Connect the Dots and See the Bigger Picture
Even as a funder or consultant, I always look beyond the immediate issue to see the broader landscape. Stepping back helps me spot gaps or opportunities. This big-picture perspective is what I do best. I put myself in the donor or community’s shoes and offer fresh insights – and then dial us into a plan that helps organizations (and funders) achieve their goals. -
Invest in Long-Term, Meaningful Partnerships
Time is a precious resource. I urge both donors and fundraisers to build deep, ongoing relationships. Creating a new program to match a donor’s interests should be a long-term partnership, not a quick fix. Nearly half of a nonprofit’s time can be spent on fundraising and donor management, so it’s critical to build a two-way street where the organization’s expertise and the donor’s desire for impact are both respected.
-