Blog Posts

Stick It Out! Why Leaving Your Current Job May Not Be the Best Move

Turnover has long been a challenge in the fundraising profession. In 1996, a study by Edward G. Thomas at Cleveland State University revealed that over half of development staff left their positions within five years. Since then, the situation has only worsened. A few years ago, frequent job changes on a résumé were red flags to recruiters. Today, in the context of high turnover, three years at a

January 6, 2025 Read more

Professional Development 2025: On Your Marks, Get Set, Plan!

Happy New Year! January brings a fresh start—a time to reflect on our lives, careers, and new opportunities for growth. This month often brings a surge of inquiries about job opportunities and requests for informational interviews, signaling the season for setting professional goals. However, rather than focusing on job-hopping, let’s look at ways to grow right where you are. The beginning of the

December 30, 2024 Read more

What to Clean Up on Your LinkedIn for 2025

Over 10 years ago, I wrote a blog post about optimizing LinkedIn profiles by deleting anything that wasn’t quite right for a professional space. Some of that advice still holds up, but LinkedIn has come a long way. Here’s an updated list of things to tidy up on your LinkedIn profile for the new year to keep it polished, relevant, and effective. Personal or Unprofessional Photos: Back then, it wasn

December 23, 2024 Read more

Irish Expat and Philanthropy Professional - How I Got into Working as a Development Officer in Philanthropy

Like so many others, growing up I never had a specific career goal in mind. Even after completing two degrees in my early twenties, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do—and I loved student life. It’s a great place to temporarily avoid reality. I lived in a bubble, floating between lectures, the library, and campus coffee shops. In my youth, there was much I didn’t know or even care to know. But

December 16, 2024 Read more

The Smart Nonprofit's Intro to Hiring a Fractional Fundraiser

The Smart Nonprofit's Intro to Hiring a Fractional Fundraiser As a nonprofit leader, you've probably experienced this scenario: Your organization needs experienced fundraising help, but hiring a senior development director feels financially out of reach. Meanwhile, hiring junior staff often leads to high turnover and requires significant training time you don't have.  Sound familiar? You're n

November 8, 2024 Read more

The Four Key Ingredients for Successfully Hiring People with Transferable Skills in Fundraising

Fundraising as a profession has gained more recognition, and with that, we’re seeing a growing interest from professionals with transferable skills who are eager to transition into fundraising. I’m encouraged by the enthusiasm of those wanting to enter the field—whether it’s at career fairs or through one-on-one coffee chats. This is especially evident among students, who are inspired by the notio

November 7, 2024 Read more

CFRE or Not? Understanding the Value of Credentials for Professional Fundraisers

Since I began recruiting in 2008, I've often been asked about educational pathways for fundraisers and the value of certifications like the CFRE. Reviewing my past emails and blog posts, my perspective remains largely unchanged. Full disclosure: I didn’t have a CFRE when I was a fundraiser. With a young family—one child and another on the way—I had to choose between the CFRE and an MBA. I chose th

November 7, 2024 Read more

How to Prepare for Your Fundraising Job Interview

You likely already know the basics of what to prepare for your job interview: Examples of successes, how you handle setbacks and challenging people, and what to say when they ask you about your weaknesses.  But as a fundraiser there is some specific preparation you should do that will set you apart from other candidates and help the employer to understand what you could bring to the role. Rea

November 7, 2024 Read more

Making Informational Interviews Work: A Career-Boosting Strategy for Fundraisers

While I haven’t been on many informational interviews myself, I’ve given thousands over the past fifteen years. When I started my fundraising career, I wasn’t aware of informational interviews and simply applied for jobs as they became available. Over time, awareness of informational interviews has grown, and more people are using them as a valuable tool for career development. Fortunately, fundra

November 1, 2024 Read more

Gain Progressive Experience Faster by Asking for Opportunities

In the competitive job market of 2024, candidates often lean on the years they've spent in a role as a badge of expertise. But are years on the job alone meaningful if they aren’t filled with diverse, progressive experience? Employers are looking for growth and adaptability, not repetition. Consider this example: Candidate A has 20 years of experience in fundraising, consistently meeting goals. Ho

October 30, 2024 Read more

Personalized Flexibility: A Key Component of Total Compensation

With remote work now a standard post-COVID, it’s the perfect time to discuss work-life balance and how flexibility has become a key component of total compensation. Total compensation is about more than just salary and benefits; it’s the entire package, with non-monetary incentives like flexible work arrangements increasingly valued by employees. In my early fundraising days, options like telecomm

October 23, 2024 Read more

Beyond the Paycheck: Six Key Factors to Weigh Before Your Next Career Move

While pay may be a factor in job satisfaction, it often doesn’t top the list for fundraisers. Surveys frequently rank factors like engaging work, advancement opportunities, and a positive work environment as primary motivators. That said, fair and competitive compensation is still essential. It's the foundation. Employers must ensure that salaries are equitable and in line with performance and ind

October 23, 2024 Read more

Eight Essential Characteristics Employers Seek in a Fundraiser

What truly sets a skilled fundraiser apart? In my career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside exceptional fundraisers, and over time, I've observed the traits they consistently share. I’ve also considered the top qualities that my clients are looking for in today’s evolving fundraising landscape. Here’s a look at the eight core characteristics that define a standout fundraiser. Listening S

October 16, 2024 Read more