Characteristics to look for when hiring your fundraising staff member

Article from the Growth & Co Blog   |  Posted on August 1, 2023 by Larissa

My most recent reminder of this statement occurred when I started a personal training program. After having a child, I've struggled to return to a comfortable fitness level. Because both my personal trainer and mainstream media suggested I should eat high amounts of meat and dairy products as a primary source of protein, I shifted from my more plant-based diet to packing in meat, eggs, and dairy far more often than before.  

Three months later, I had gone backward regarding weight, strength, and energy levels. After some reading and reflection on my pre-baby eating habits, I realized that what my body needs is contrary to the opinions I'd assumed were correct. By reflecting on past performance and making weekly meal plans, I could return to my primarily plant-based diet (peanut butter and banana sandwiches for the win!).   I quickly started to see the results I wanted.  

I work with nonprofit leaders with the same beliefs and wants relating to their fundraising efforts that aren't necessary or true. Here are some of the misperceptions and misguided 'wants' they come to me with:  

• They believe donors won't fund their work because they don't work at a prestigious institution like a university or hospital, so they are disadvantaged. 
• They think they need large fundraising teams to raise large amounts like their competitors.  
• They get stuck on the idea that the organization they're fundraising for needs more history, connections, and enough alumni to gain the traction they need to raise money consistently.  
• They think they need to hire someone with years of progressive fundraising experience – a person who requires a high salary that the organization can't pay and someone who there aren't enough of in the current job market. 

What qualities, skills, and mindsets do organizations actually need to fundraise? The truth is that there is no minimum size requirement that an organization needs to achieve to raise money successfully. Organizations of any size can get the support they need to create a fundraising plan without searching for highly-paid fundraisers with years of experience who they can't afford. They also don't need a ton of history to serve the people they exist to help. The truth is newer organizations have a charming naivety that makes them a little more innovative and energetic– something older establishments lack. What an organization needs to raise money is one person dedicated to fundraising tasks with solid communication skills and who isn't afraid to ask for money. They can learn the rest!  

How can an organization gain these things? Growth & Co. can teach your organization's person responsible for fundraising how to build a fundraising plan that will include putting proven systems and processes into place to improve your fundraising results. This training enables smaller organizations to have fundraising programs that run smoothly with one or two people, just like the enormous universities and hospitals use with their teams of 100+ fundraisers. While you may want a big team of fundraisers, what you really need is a fundraising plan that creates the foundations any organization can use to build a fully-functioning fundraising system- no matter their age or size.  

Book a call today to find out how Growth & Co. can help get your fundraising plan in place!