An Interview With Dani Brzozowski, director of development, Open Books

FS: Tell us about a recent successful fundraising effort.
DB: At a recent partnership event (a happy hour/networking event with an organization devoted to bringing volunteers together in a social and fun atmosphere), I got into a passionate discussion with a young man who sits on this organization’s board. He and I talked for some time about Open Books’ mission, and I was able to be quite frank with him about my goals and how I plan to accomplish them for Open Books. As it turns out, connecting with him was invaluable. Not only did our open talk about Open Books’ mission strike a chord that led him to be personally interested in making a gift, but my articulation of my intended path to fundraising success led him to mention his close connection to the grant-making committee of a foundation for which I’m currently preparing a proposal.