Working within the not-for-profit sector can be both challenging and rewarding. It presents new obstacles that must be addressed specifically but provides benefits that stretch far beyond the office. Fundraisers have an active role in continuing the charity’s work and making a real difference in the world around them. They are the key to bridging the gap between individuals who want to make a difference and the causes that need their support.
Whether you are already working in the charity sector, or are looking to take your first steps, tenacious and passionate individuals with innovative ideas are always needed. As a fundraiser, you will plan events, promote awareness of the organisation’s needs, and make sure the network of donors is sustained and continuously growing. A fundraiser’s role can be very varied, and depending on the charity responsibilities may involve merchandising, applying for grants, recruiting volunteers, or risk analysis to ensure optimal use of charity efforts and funds.
Inclusive Consulting’s charity director, Paula Barber said,
“Fundraising involves far more than just asking for money, it requires passion, communication skills, and strategic thinking. It’s about building genuine connections, gaining trust, and inspiring people to believe in, and contribute to a worthy cause”
The skills individuals use in their current jobs could transfer very easily into fundraising, and many people in non-charity organisations don’t realise they already have the necessary skills to work in the not-for-profit sector.
In our recent LinkedIn poll, we asked charity leaders what they believed to be the most important attribute for a fundraiser to have. Among the options were being passionate about the cause, being confident in asking for donations, and prior fundraising experience, but building strong relationships came out on top.
At their core, a successful fundraiser’s main attribute is the ability to create strong relationships. You must connect with donors on a personal level and understand their ideals and motivations. By establishing a positive rapport, a tailored approach can be provided, and the donor will be shown how their contribution aligns with their personal values.
This doesn’t just apply to individual giving, fundraising is also about building relationships with corporations and businesses. Being able to identify companies aligned with the charity mission, and investing time in cultivating a relationship with them, will forge strong partnership agreements that benefit the business and provide sustained support for your charity’s mission. It’s worth thinking about customising these partnerships based on the strengths of each business too, as it allows organisations of different sizes and industries to collaborate with you.
It doesn’t stop there though! Providing updates, stories, and testimonials of how the charity’s work is making a difference doesn’t just assure your donors that their money is being used well, it also spreads awareness and encourages others to get involved.
Fundraisers must be able to convey the organisation’s mission with passion and authenticity without seeming demanding, so clear communication is crucial. This not only involves outlining the goals of the charity, and the use for donations, but also telling emotive stories about the charity’s work and its importance.
Formal meetings aren’t the only way to do this either! Networking events, virtual conferences, awareness campaigns, and social media posts are all useful and varied ways to raise a charity’s profile and give more donors the information they need, so thinking outside the box is key. But what does that actually mean for a fundraiser?
Sam Wood, Income Generation and Communications Director at Bluebell Wood, said,
“Fundraising isn’t just standing in supermarkets with a bucket, it’s much more creative than that. It’s about building a network and helping to support a cause you are passionate about in a new way. It’s really rewarding too; you get real satisfaction when you know how much of a difference you’re making and know you’re playing your part in the community.”
“We’re always looking for new ideas, we have to do something different from before to encourage donations. One of our recent fundraising events was our Christmas Tree recycling scheme, that was really successful because it’s a service people will use yearly, regardless of who it’s done by.”
It’s a common misconception that you need previous experience in a charity to become a fundraiser, but this isn’t always a necessity!
Sam said, “The charity sector used to be full of people wanting to be fundraisers, but the pandemic made a lot of people move towards other industries. We want to invest back into that pool of fundraisers and get more people involved again.”
“We’ve found fundraisers from all different backgrounds, people working in education, sales, hospitality, clinical care, or project management. What really matters is that they have two fundamental traits, empathy and resilience.”
There are so many transferable skills from other careers that will come in handy when working at a non-profit.
Social Media and Tech Knowledge
Technology plays a crucial role in fundraising. Digital trends, social media algorithms, and crowdfunding platforms can all be used to reach a wider audience. With plenty of tools in the arsenal, like email campaigns, virtual events, and mobile giving, the charity’s reach can be extended, and the whole process can be improved and smoothened for donors.
Market Awareness and Prior Business Relationships
Information gathered about local businesses from previous employment could be used to develop plans that consider the qualities of their organisation, and how to inspire them to donate or become partners. Already established relationships provide an easier opportunity to get in touch, and a higher likelihood of gaining their support.
Strategic Planning
Organisation skills help with setting fundraising goals, creating campaign timelines, and identifying and targeting potential donors. This also involves evaluating the success of previous initiatives and continuously refining approaches to create the most effective strategies.
Most of all, have drive and just keep going! Successful fundraisers adapt to challenges, and approach them with resilience and creativity. They see setbacks as opportunities to learn and adapt their strategies, maintaining a positive attitude and commitment to their cause.
