2 comments - Last on 01/25/2010

Invest in Your Professional Fundraiser

January 05, 2010 By Ruthellen S. Rubin, CFRE

Small and mid-size nonprofit organizations are beginning to get it:  Fundraising is a proactive, professional initiative and its success is directly related to the investment in time and talent.  A trained, committed and enthusiastic professional fundraiser can turn your strategic plan into an action plan; motivate your board of directors to commit to a 12-month fund development initiative; and engage your major donors, year-round, in meaningful ways.  Oh yes - and raise more money for your mission.

Make 2010 the year to invest in your fundraiser: 

• Encourage his/her professional development and interaction with colleagues
• Ask your fundraiser to access resources (donor management system, website, budget)
• Consider time management challenges in terms of the “return on investment”

NYU’s Winter Intensive  offers some great opportunities for your fundraising staff to gain new skills and connect with other professionals and experts in the field. Check out my course on January 14th. 

If 2010 is the year your organization is bringing a professional fundraiser on staff for the first time, be sure to get professional advice when hiring.  There is a cadre of trained professionals out there who understand the link between personal cultivation and stewardship of donors and the miracles of modern technology to put the whole package together.