Posted 11/12/21 (This is another example where the therapeutic relationship and the fundraising relationship share a similarity. The bottom line however is to remember to be yourself in either type of relationship). There was an interesting dynamic that I was taught as a student therapist. With a strong motivation to help the client, therapists can […]
Donor Objections Often Come Back Around Read More »
Posted 7/26/21 If you are considering a move to the nonprofit from the for-profit world, there are some aspects that you should consider because the change can be more involved than you might expect. It really does require some thought before you attempt the career change. Many people find themselves considering this move in mid-career
Considering a Move to the Nonprofit? Read More »
Posted 9/18/21 I have delivered a significant number of presentations as a salesperson in the business world, mostly promotional with the goal of satisfying specific needs of potential customers. I have also performed presentations in fundraising to attract donors, which requires an approach that differs from business. Fundraising through public speaking is equivalent to an
Fundraising Through Public Speaking Read More »
Posted 10/25/21 I learned a valuable lesson from a friend of mine when he told me a story about an acquaintance who came into a signifiant amount of money. Their wives were closer friends, but they did go out together as couples on occasion. After some time of non-communication, my friend innocently decided to reach
Empathy Can Be Useful With Major Donors Read More »
Posted 9/29/21 I have been very happy overall with the decision to make a career move to the nonprofit sector, although it did come with some unexpected bumps in the road. In preparation for this career move, I enrolled in a certification class for nonprofit management through a local community college, to help identify the
Identify the “Fit” When Moving to a New Nonprofit Position Read More »
Posted 7/6/21 So what is the basic difference between sales and fundraising? It would appear as though a sales person could step right in and become a fundraiser based on similar skills, but it is not that easy and not always the case (and I have done both yet still wrestle with explaining the differences).
Sales and Fundraising are Similar But Not the Same Read More »
Posted: 7/8/21 Making the effort to quietly listen to another person is a clear show of value and respect for that individual, and most people will genuinely appreciate the attention they receive (especially donors). However, there are variables at work that can hinder your ability to listen well. For example, did you know that humans
Listening is Not Easy Read More »
Posted 7/20/21 For some time, I considered myself to be left-brain dominant, meaning I was more logical in my thinking and not so strong in the artistic, abstract, emotional world. I was an effective salesperson who was friendly and had good people skills, but it wasn’t until I decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in
Psych Training and Fundraising Read More »
Posted 7/6/21 When making a career move to the nonprofit, specifically sales to fundraising, I noticed a subtle difference between the two, among others. I was accustom to keeping my foot on the gas in sales roles as it felt like the competition was always applying pressure and if I didn’t close deals quickly or
Thoughts When Changing Careers: Sales to Fundraising Read More »
Posted 8/21/21 When I was a salesperson for a wood refinishing company, I learned the hard way that managing customer expectations was tremendously important. Because the company provided a specialized type of service, the outcome of a refinishing job could be unpredictable. Regardless of the color chosen from the samples by the customer, a natural
Managing Donor Expectations Read More »