Fundraisers – 10 tips for advancing your career

I was asked to facilitate a roundtable discussion at 2014 Fundraising Day in Southern New England. Thought I’d pass along the tips I gathered and shared.

1. Know  yourself

• What are your passions?
• What are you really good at?
• What makes you happy?
• What are you fears/demons?

2. Be really good at your job

• Embrace results
• Embrace metrics
• Learn about your cause
• Engage in your whole organization

3. Learn all you can about your profession

• Workshops, conference, webinars, college classes
• Professional journals e.g. Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Quarterly
• Know the research

4. Create your personal strategic plan

• Personal and professional vision and goals
• Strategies and benchmarks

5. Develop your own support network

• Find a mentor or coach
• Develop your own kitchen cabinet

6. Earn professional credentials

• CFRE and ACFRE
• Graduate Degree e.g. MBA, MPA, MS, PhD

7. Be engaged in the world

• Read/listen to the news
• Learn about other topics
• Volunteer & stay healthy

8. Gain management and leadership skills

• Ask for more responsibility
• School yourself

9. Engage with colleagues

• Join & participate in your professional association, e.g. AFP, PPP, AHP
• Network, network, network
• Be a helpful friends

10. Raise your profile

• Become a trainer, presenter
• Write – a  book, a blog, tweet

Two books to think about careers  and your future:

The Answer to How is Yes, by Peter Block. Especially the chapter on Bosses.

Career Anchors, Edgar Schein.