Fundraiser Education

A fundraiser is anyone who, either as a volunteer or paid, works to raise the money, commitment and enthusiasm that’s needed to fuel good works. Full stop. A hands-on fundraiser is any fundraiser who doesn’t just talk about it, but actually does it. Data-planners, copywriters, input clerks, creative strategy-formulators, major donor solicitors, fundraising directors, marketers, team leaders, envelope-stuffers, thankers and bankers, agency account executives and telephone and doorstep askers are all hands-on fundraisers. To name but a few.

In a fundraising climate where oversaturation, more competition for funds and new technologies make attracting and retaining donors that much more difficult, innovation is vital for nonprofit organizations looking to survive and thrive not only today, but in the future.

Ted Hart speaks with Certified Fundraising Executive Claudia A. Looney about fundraising career success on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

Three years ago, I didn’t even know fundraising was a profession. But when I arrived, I threw myself into the deep end and have consequently learned a great deal in a short time. Most of all, I’ve learned that no amount of study can replace years of experience. So while I wait for the time to fill me with wisdom, I’ve learned to improve my fundraising in more immediate ways. Here are seven ways I’ve discovered.

Fundraising success isn’t a question of have's and have-not’s. Sure, larger organizations may raise more money, but that’s because they have more staff, resources, etc. But smaller organizations can be just as successful with the resources they have. Fundraising success is a question of belief. Believe in fundraising, embrace it and invest in it long-term and you are bound to find success. Ignore it, or pay it lip service, and you’ll likely find a revolving door at your development director position.

In a fundraising climate where oversaturation, more competition for funds and new technologies make attracting and retaining donors that much more difficult, innovation is vital for nonprofit organizations looking to survive and thrive not only today, but in the future. In his book "Idea Stormers: How to Lead and Inspire Creative Breakthroughs," author Bryan Mattimore…

Here are some words of wisdom culled from stories that appeared in the January/February 2004 issue of FundRaising Success.

FundRaising Success columnist Jeff Brooks, creative director at TrueSense Marketing, warns fundraisers to be vigilant against these sins, because they can drag your fundraising program down to a terrifying hell of non-response.

Please join fundraising consultant and CFRE Gail Perry today at 2 p.m. EST in this special conversation with FundRaising Success Editor-in-Chief Margaret Battistelli Gardner! You can register using this form, and we'll see you at the event. You'll be able to find out what Margaret sees as the latest trends in fundraising. This will truly be an insider's perspective that you rarely get to hear.

As we anticipate trends impacting nonprofits in 2013, “fundraising isn’t expected to significantly increase” rises to the top. UnderDeveloped, a recent report from CompassPoint, examines fundraising trends from a different direction, from within nonprofit organizations. How are development staffs set up for success? Who is doing the heavy lifting? What are the expectations?

Knowing that fundraising is expect to carry on as is this year and that across the nonprofit sector, experience and turnover are challenges, nonprofits need to prepare. Your nonprofit likely should consider the following …