Best Careers 2009: Fundraiser

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Anyone who pursues a career in fundraising with the idea that they will never have to 'ask' is being set up for failure. You absolutely have to build strong relationships, but these are not just friendships - these need to be productive partnerships built on common social goals - and it takes great skill to connect prospects to the possibilities they can effect, and to understand and respond to a prospects unique set of motivators. It's essentially a highly specialized form of sales and I promise it's not easier, however gratifying, than traditional profit based sales. Remember this if nothing else: You have to A-S-K to G-E-T. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not telling you the truth.

mauricecullen 8:41PM September 11, 2011

What an encouraging article! After 20+ years working in advertising as a copywriter - then a lay-off! - plus as many years participating in the arts and community activities, this looks like a great career transition for me. I am starting the UCLA Extension Certification in Fundraising program, and I am so excited. Watch out!

Ellen Lutwak @Name Girl of CA 1:21AM June 16, 2010

I would like to know how a person gets into fundraising for major nonprofits? It appears to be a field that requires one to be an experience professional from the start.
This looks like a really fun career. I like the idea of taking people out to lunch, playing golf, and event planning while raising money for a good cause.

Tia of CA 3:04PM April 21, 2010

The key is to fundraise for a worthwhile cause, so at the end it does not matter wether you loose your job but the feelings of doing a worthwhile venture

GO of NY 12:09PM February 23, 2010

Public companies need to funds to operate their business. They go public for that reason, to sell shares to investors who want to make a profit. Historically mico cap and small cap companies have a problem, they are not profitable and are high risk compared to bigger companies. This makes it harder to raise the money they need. What I don't understand is why do Stock Brokers reject small cap and micro cap companies, when everyone knows these are the companies that drive growth in our economy. Now that credit is tighter or non existent it's even more crucial for small business owners to get access to funds so they can grow and employ. This is the answer to our unemployment problem. I think all investment brokers, advisers and managers should start taking a better look at small companies to identify the ones that have skilled management in place and invest in these companies. We all need this to happen.

Ken McCormick KGC Marketing of FL 2:16PM December 24, 2009

This job kind of seems like it sucks...just saying.

Raevyn of MN 12:47PM November 10, 2009

I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CAREER CHOICE. FUNDRAISING HELPS PEOPLE. I THINK PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW LONG THE HOURS ARE AND YOU MAY NOT BE WORKING FOR AWHILE ONCE THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS OVER WILL MOST LIKELY BE THOSE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK 9 TO 5 FOR SOMEONE ELSE. AND CONTINUE TO CRY ABOUT THEIR MONEY SHORTAGE. LETS FACE IT, IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE WHAT ONE CHOOSES TO DO FOR A CAREER, THERE WILL STILL BE SOME TIME SPENT AND ALOT OF MAINSTREAM JOBS DON'T PAY MUCH ANYWAY. I WOULD RATHER BUST MY BEHIND WORKING FOR MYSELF, DOING SOMETHING I ENJOY, SOMETHING I LIKE, THAN TO BE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SOMEONE WHO WOULD JUST ASSUME FIRED ME TO LOOK AT ME. I'VE WORKED FOR MYSELF. IT WAS NO PICNIC. I HAVE NEVER DONE FUNDRAISING, BUT I PLAN TO TRY. AND JUST LIKE THE OTHER VENTURES I'VE TRIED, I HOPE I'M OF USE. I HOPE I ENJOY IT. I HOPE TO MAKE A DECENT LIVING. AND I HOPE ONCE AND FOR ALL IT HELPS TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE 9 TO 5 RACKET.

EARLINE TAYLOR of WA 2:54PM November 02, 2009

It's true - lots of hard work and long hours, but the rewards are worth it if you are fortunate to work with a nonprofit whose mission is to help others in a specific way; such as finding homes for abused children. Asking others to make gifts is the easiest thing to do when put in terms of asking them to make an investment in the lives of children whose potential has yet to be unlocked. Find a cause that you would support and work for if you were rich and did not need a salary. Then do what you have to do to join them as an employee. Don't worry about who gets the credit for work done well. Give your best to the cause. When you eventually leave that work, you'll be able to look back and feel wonderful inside - never sorry about the investment you yourself made.

Roger of OK 5:51PM October 16, 2009

You love what you do, so you fight and claw your way to a paying position and the next day...you're no longer needed. Such is the life of a fundraiser.
It is a wonderful job, but a terrible career. I know so many who have devoted their lives to it only to be let go again and again by organizations who never understand their worth.
I have seen, time and again. sales managers take positions in this field when there were several people with 5-10yrs of experience as fundraisers vying for the job. Boards (and even other fundraisers) don't know how to hire, promote or retain.
I wish that jobs in the field paid enough money to cover basic bills, offered health benefits and opportunities for advancement...but in most cases they don't.
I wish that you could get a job in the field based on the experience you have in this field...but it is near impossible.
Until organizations get smarter and start training new fundraisers and knowing the value of the ones they have, there is really no future in this field, just an emotionally satisfying, financially depressing present.
Not to say it isn't wonderful - just that it's not exactly a growth industry.

Carolyn of NH 12:53AM October 16, 2009

I don't know how this got on the list of best jobs. There is no job security, long hours, and unrealistic expectations on the lowest budget possible. If you can handle constant rejection and demands on things you have no control over, this is the field for you

Jim of IA 10:52AM October 05, 2009