How can event production professionals transition to fundraising roles?

1 What is fundraising and why is it important?

Fundraising is the process of soliciting and securing financial or in-kind contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, or other sources to support a nonprofit organization's mission, programs, or projects. Fundraising is essential for nonprofit organizations because it enables them to sustain their operations, expand their reach, and achieve their goals. Fundraising also helps to build relationships with donors, volunteers, partners, and beneficiaries, and to communicate the impact and value of the organization's work.

2 What skills do you need to be a fundraiser?

As an event production professional, you already have many of the skills that are required to be a successful fundraiser, such as project management, communication, creativity, and collaboration. You will also need to develop some specific fundraising skills, like research, strategy, and stewardship. Research involves identifying and analyzing potential donors and their interests. Strategy requires creating a comprehensive fundraising plan with goals, methods, timeline, and metrics. Stewardship is about cultivating and maintaining long-term relationships with donors by acknowledging their contributions and inviting them to further engagement opportunities.

3 How can you learn more about fundraising?

If you are interested in pursuing a fundraising career, you will need to learn more about the nonprofit sector, the fundraising landscape, and the best practices and ethical standards of the profession. To do this, you can read books, blogs, newsletters, and magazines that cover fundraising topics and trends. You can also take online or in-person courses, workshops, webinars, or certifications that teach fundraising skills and knowledge. Joining professional associations, networks, or communities can provide resources, events, mentoring, and peer support for fundraisers. Volunteering or interning for a nonprofit organization that involves fundraising tasks or projects is another great way to gain experience. Finally, attending or hosting fundraising events is a great way to observe how they are planned, executed, and evaluated.

4 How can you showcase your value as a fundraiser?

Once you have acquired some fundraising skills and knowledge, you will need to showcase your value as a fundraiser to potential employers or clients. Updating your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and online profiles can help you highlight your event production and fundraising achievements, skills, and interests. Additionally, creating a personal brand and a professional network that demonstrate your passion, expertise, and credibility in fundraising is essential. You should also seek referrals, testimonials, or endorsements from your previous or current clients, partners, or colleagues to vouch for your work quality and results. Finally, you should apply for fundraising jobs or projects that match your skills, experience, and goals with confidence and enthusiasm and prepare for the interviews or proposals accordingly.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?