Major Gifts: All glitz and glamor?

Have you noticed that many people think major gifts are all glitz and glamor?

Let me tell you how I got my REAL start in fundraising:

One of my earliest jobs after university was working at the outbound call center at a national arts organization.

We did everything from making fundraising calls to selling annual subscriptions…

And it was one of THE most important experiences I’ve had in my 25 year fundraising career.

Here are three crucial skills I developed in that first fundraising job that I still use to this day:

1. Picking up the phone before I felt ready

There was no prospect research, no wealth screening - just me, my communication skills, and the person at the other end of the phone. 

2. Making an irresistible offer

One thing we didn’t have a lot of is time. This trained me to understand how to make a compelling case - and do it concisely.

3. Handling rejection

Hearing “no” is inevitable in our line of work - but it still stings! Learning how to bounce back from rejection is an invaluable skill (for work and life).

Did you have an early work experience that built the foundation you needed to get to where you are today?

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