Best Careers 2009: Fundraiser

I LIKE THE TITLE: "FUNDRAISER"

I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CAREER CHOICE. FUNDRAISING HELPS PEOPLE. I THINK PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW LONG THE HOURS ARE AND YOU MAY NOT BE WORKING FOR AWHILE ONCE THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS OVER WILL MOST LIKELY BE THOSE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK 9 TO 5 FOR SOMEONE ELSE. AND CONTINUE TO CRY ABOUT THEIR MONEY SHORTAGE. LETS FACE IT, IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE WHAT ONE CHOOSES TO DO FOR A CAREER, THERE WILL STILL BE SOME TIME SPENT AND ALOT OF MAINSTREAM JOBS DON'T PAY MUCH ANYWAY. I WOULD RATHER BUST MY BEHIND WORKING FOR MYSELF, DOING SOMETHING I ENJOY, SOMETHING I LIKE, THAN TO BE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SOMEONE WHO WOULD JUST ASSUME FIRED ME TO LOOK AT ME. I'VE WORKED FOR MYSELF. IT WAS NO PICNIC. I HAVE NEVER DONE FUNDRAISING, BUT I PLAN TO TRY. AND JUST LIKE THE OTHER VENTURES I'VE TRIED, I HOPE I'M OF USE. I HOPE I ENJOY IT. I HOPE TO MAKE A DECENT LIVING. AND I HOPE ONCE AND FOR ALL IT HELPS TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE 9 TO 5 RACKET.

EARLINE TAYLOR of WA @ Nov 02, 2009 14:54:44 PM

Dir. Development & Planned Giving

It's true - lots of hard work and long hours, but the rewards are worth it if you are fortunate to work with a nonprofit whose mission is to help others in a specific way; such as finding homes for abused children. Asking others to make gifts is the easiest thing to do when put in terms of asking them to make an investment in the lives of children whose potential has yet to be unlocked. Find a cause that you would support and work for if you were rich and did not need a salary. Then do what you have to do to join them as an employee. Don't worry about who gets the credit for work done well. Give your best to the cause. When you eventually leave that work, you'll be able to look back and feel wonderful inside - never sorry about the investment you yourself made.

Roger of OK @ Oct 16, 2009 17:51:13 PM

Top Job? I wish.

You love what you do, so you fight and claw your way to a paying position and the next day...you're no longer needed. Such is the life of a fundraiser.

It is a wonderful job, but a terrible career. I know so many who have devoted their lives to it only to be let go again and again by organizations who never understand their worth.

I have seen, time and again. sales managers take positions in this field when there were several people with 5-10yrs of experience as fundraisers vying for the job. Boards (and even other fundraisers) don't know how to hire, promote or retain.

I wish that jobs in the field paid enough money to cover basic bills, offered health benefits and opportunities for advancement...but in most cases they don't.

I wish that you could get a job in the field based on the experience you have in this field...but it is near impossible.

Until organizations get smarter and start training new fundraisers and knowing the value of the ones they have, there is really no future in this field, just an emotionally satisfying, financially depressing present.

Not to say it isn't wonderful - just that it's not exactly a growth industry.

Carolyn of NH @ Oct 16, 2009 00:53:03 AM

Unrealistic demands

I don't know how this got on the list of best jobs. There is no job security, long hours, and unrealistic expectations on the lowest budget possible. If you can handle constant rejection and demands on things you have no control over, this is the field for you

Jim of IA @ Oct 05, 2009 10:52:03 AM

Vkzxnlig

jSPaMy

Vkzxnlig of MD @ Jul 16, 2009 07:31:05 AM

A Friend/Fundraiser

I too read this article with great interest...many aspects included in the reading were of valuable information to a potential fundraiser. I have been employed in this field for over 20 years, with nonprofits,higher education and a very well known world charity. I have found that many institutions of higher education are much more willing to spend money to make money but the smaller social service agencies expect you to raise money with little or not support from the internal organization which includes not having a budget to raise the funds. This is not a profession for the light hearted. It is a tough business with no job security and unrealistic demands and one that requires an individual to be able to handle rejection, let alone dealing with a board of advisers who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

Janice of MI @ Apr 13, 2009 14:48:09 PM

fund raiser

It a interesting job I had on some of my fundraising job. You really have to sell yourself as well as the product or benefit. You flash a smile and enjoy what you're doing. Sort of like a commericial.

Terry Douthit of OH @ Apr 10, 2009 13:25:44 PM

BEST JOB?

Development professionals do NOT live the life this article describes. It is a very hard job with little job security. There is no way to fairly measure someone's ability or job performace. It takes a lot to raise money and most organizations will not put money into it. I would not advise anyone to go into this field unless they have a true passion for what they are raising money for.

Randy of SC @ Feb 10, 2009 17:52:31 PM