What do you do if your fundraising skills are fading in late career and retirement?

Fundraising "isn't rocket science," as the saying goes. Take a step back and honestly review your skills and interactions with donors, then enlist a colleague - anyone who will know enough to give you good feedback. I turned 60 this year, and what is new for me to learn? A new tax law? Sure, RMD must start by age 72 now, and there are other things like that. AI? Sure, you better be able to use all of our tools, no matter your age. Most importantly, I want you to practice listening and repeating the message to a practice donor. What I see the most in my peers is that as they age, they lose their curiosity to ask about the donor's job (for example) and lose the ability to be patient while people tell stories.

Reflect on your career's trajectory, focusing on how you've evaluated and honed your fundraising skills. Consider discussing a turning point where self-assessment or feedback from peers and donors led to a breakthrough in your strategy, enhancing your effectiveness. Emphasise the value of professional coaching or training sessions you may have attended that refined your approach significantly if they helped you leverage technology or new fundraising platforms.

Network is the key to keep updated! Communicate, share your experience, be open-minded - and inspiration and creative thinking will never let you become out-of-date!

When fundraising skills wane later in your career, adapt by seeking new knowledge. Embrace tools like online courses, workshops, and mentorship programs to stay relevant. Dive into emerging fundraising platforms and techniques, and leverage networking events to connect with experts and refresh your skills. Keep evolving to remain competitive in the dynamic fundraising landscape.

I don't beliee that fundraising skills wane with age. What I do believe is that you need to be responsible to yourself and your organization to practice ongoing education that includes technology, financial trends, what philanthropy looks like at every age, industry standards. I see fundraising skills as a tool belt that is always expanding over the life of your career. The one thing that won't change is the relationship building component and the necessity to listen to whom you're working with and respond in kind.

Share insights into how keeping abreast of evolving trends and technologies has been instrumental in your career, especially in the dynamic landscape of the UAE. Talk about the importance of adaptability and the role of continuous education, whether through online courses, webinars, or professional networks. Illustrate this with an example of a new fundraising method or digital tool you embraced, significantly impacting your campaigns

Offer personal anecdotes about the fulfilment and perspective gained from volunteering or mentoring. Discuss how imparting your fundraising expertise to younger professionals or less experienced individuals has not only contributed to the causes you care about but also kept your skills sharp and relevant. You could also highlight how mentoring has enabled you to leave a legacy in fundraising, nurturing the next generation of fundraisers

One thing I've found helpful is to meet with those who have diverse perspectives and people newer to the sector. Invite these voices to participate on committees and learn from them. The more diverse the group - the more interesting the process.

Do not do it the same old way. For decades nonprofits have been known as technology laggards. If you want to remain competitive, even ahead of the curve, learn and use the latest technologies. Today that means using GenerativeAI. While adoption has been low over the last year, new tools make it much easier to user and allow you to add hours to your day. We have seen nonprofit teams 10X their production in their first month of using GenAI.