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| Path: Main Street : Resources & Library : Research Articles : Feature Article |
What are prospective employers looking for?January 30, 1995; Canadian FundRaiser
This was the question on the minds of fundraisers who flocked to a recent luncheon meeting of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE), Greater Toronto chapter. The guest speaker was Timothy Hamilton, a not-for-profit executive search consultant with The Caldwell Partners in Edmonton. A "repressed fundraiser" by his own admission, Hamilton highlighted some key trends in today's marketplace:
What are employers looking for in a fundraising professional?
- One of the fastest growing professions. The fundraising profession will enjoy the highest growth rate and greatest increase in salary in the non-profit sector. Currently, the demand for senior practitioners greatly exceeds the supply.
- Accepted as a respected and legitimate profession. More and more, the fundraising profession is recognized as a valuable and integral part of an organization and its management.
- Heightened or unrealistic expectations. Organizations often fall prey to the "silver bullet" strategy --- paying "big bucks" to senior fundraisers with the misguided understanding that the fundraiser will be the answer to all of their problems.
- Fundraising specialties with the greatest attraction: major and planned giving. "Planned giving is attractive to virtually every charitable organization, and it's a strong growth area right across the board, " said Hamilton. Those organizations unwilling to invest up front in the planned giving area are still likely to jump into the major gifts arena with the hope of raising dollars needed today.
- More young people are attracted to fundraising. Unlike many older practitioners who happened to "fall" into the profession, today's youth are training at the college level for a fundraising career. This gives the profession an opportunity to develop and grow from the bottom up as well as from the top down.
Honesty, integrity and a strong moral code rank highest on their list, according to Hamilton. Employees are looking for a comfortable members of the management team, someone who can make a broad range of contributions. Diversity is an asset. Fundraisers should have good planning and management skills, including the ability to develop, organize and implement programs.
Employers are looking for strong interpersonal and leadership skills, and a clear record of success and accomplishment reflective of both campaign planning and execution. Also of critical importance is employment stability --- it demonstrates a practitioner's loyalty to a cause. While 5-year stints are preferable, 3-year blocks are also acceptable.
What should fundraisers look for in an organization?
Hamilton offered these pointers:
- A mission you can truly commit yourself to, and get excited about.
- An organization-wide, top-to-bottom staff and volunteer commitment to the fundraising function.
- Realistic expectations vs. the "silver bullet" strategy.
- A good sense of where the organization sees itself today, and where it wants to be in 5 years.
- Senior volunteer and staff leadership commitment in keeping with the mission.
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