“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
How did you answer that question as a child? Doctor? Actor/Actress? President? Chances are, you didn’t say “I want to be a professional fundraiser.” (If you did, congratulations! You are to be commended on your foresight!)
Fundraising is not a profession that is typically a dream career for children. However, it should be! Although it can be quite stressful at times, it is hard to find another profession that has a greater impact on the betterment of society.
Now that the hectic end-of-year talks are over, it’s a good time to remember why you became a professional fundraiser in the first place. A few of the many reasons are below.
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- There are countless opportunities to meet new people from all walks of life and help them develop relationships with your organization.
Being in development, in this very special profession, has given me more professional satisfaction than I have gotten in any of the other activities I have ever done in my life. It gets me up every day and happy to come to work. It doesn’t get better than that.
—Executive Director of Development
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- When you help people discover their passions, you are making a difference and changing the world. Major gift fundraising helps people see how impactful and meaningful philanthropy can be.
I’m here in this profession because it’s joyful. I help facilitate joy and passion and meaning in people’s lives.
—Vice President, Legacy and Major Gifts
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- As projects come to fruition, the realization that professional fundraising is a rewarding career comes to life. The experience of enabling the donor and the organization to accomplish something important can be truly gratifying—and cause for celebration for all involved.
It’s a very noble business, and one that the [organization] can benefit from, and society benefits from, and the donor benefits from.
—Vice President of Development
The list could go on and on and on. The fact is, professional fundraising is an extremely rewarding career. It’s a profession we should be proud of—and champion whenever and wherever we have the opportunity, whether it’s with a group of friends or at a school career day.
The next time someone asks you what you do, consider responding, “I have the world’s best job, because…”
To learn how to succeed as a development professional, attend The Art and Science of Donor Development.