The Background of Successful Fundraisers
Some fundraisers are made; others are born. It seems to me that only two types of fundraising is for people who are 'made' by having a college education. They are the grantwriters and estate planning fund developers. Other fundraising is community activities and the best background for people conducting them is to be an active person in each community that is part of one's life.
Fundraising positions with nonprofit organizations including higher education and hospitals are available throughout the country. All fundraising is done in a community. The community may be as small as an office staff having a World Series "pool" based on the outcome of baseball scores by donating a dollar to participate and then donating half of the total funds received to a charity. Or, it may be as large as a statewide event designed to raise thousands for charity. Most fundraising held in communities are events such as a Charity Golf Tournament, a school carnival, a car wash or an annual Charity Ball at the local hospital or Elks Club. Regardless of the size of the event, basically the same skills are needed.
The skills of good fundraisers come naturally to most of the people who conduct productive projects or events. A person born with an outgoing personality who enjoys being with people can be a successful fundraiser for her clubs, organization, local school and small hospital. Good fundraisers can be found among high school graduates who participated in school clubs, sports, drama, debate team, public speaking challenges and similar activities. These activities help a person to gain personal confidence, express themselves clearly, motivate others, get things done with or without the help of others, and become leaders of other people. A person with success in such activities in school and church is an ideal candidate for community fundraising events; and they are on their way if they choose to seek employment as the fundraiser for larger and larger nonprofit organizations.
When raising funds for nonprofit require proposal writing as grant requests from Foundations and government sources, training is required. The background of a person who can succeed in grant proposal writing includes a liberal arts degree, writing experience, experience in planning and some budgeting experience. The grantwriter does not work alone but in cooperation with idea people, project planners, financial staff, public information personnel and administrative staff. Education and experience with these sorts of people prepare grant proposal writers. Some college courses are available; however, as a 35-year fundraising and grantwriting professional, I have not found them useful to anyone I have worked with. Far better is attendance at training that is specific, detailed and leads to the completion of a first draft of a real proposal. Anythng else is just words. (There is a source for training called: The Grantsmanship Center, originally in Los Angeles.)
Generally, the fundraiser for organizations, higher education and hospitals has the title "Fund Development" as a Director or Manager of a program with the above aspects of fundraising. When fortunate, the title will be "Vice President of Development" and the salary will be excellent. Large, ongoing, permanent nonprofits like statewide organizations, higher education and hospitals, usually want to build a pool of money to be invested with only the earnings to be used for major projects or construction. The pool of money is called a Foundation and the methods for raising the money from wealthy donors and estates; therefore, the background of such fundraisers is always college degree plus training and experience related to the methods to be used that are related to estates, trusts, wills, and more.
