How My Nonprofit Experience Helps Classy Customers Scale Their Fundraising

Steven Freygang has a 15-year career as a fundraising professional. Most recently, he oversaw events and recurring giving for a zoo in Seattle, Washington. During the pandemic, he experienced the impact of technology firsthand to power the zoo’s giving programs and build personalized connections through its virtual events.?

A year ago, Steven joined the Classy sales team because he wanted to help a larger group of nonprofits achieve similar success. As a Senior Account Executive, he passionately helps organizations find ways to accelerate their fundraising efforts through the Classy platform.

We connected with Steven to learn more about his nonprofit experience and how he applies it when supporting Classy’s customers to achieve their goals.?

Q: What’s one way that nonprofits can use Classy to engage their supporters?

A: I’m pretty excited about using Classy Live for donor stewardship. Classy Live is especially valuable for transforming an in-person event into a hybrid one, which can open up a gala or auction to supporters worldwide.

I’ve personally produced virtual donor events with world-renowned scientists from around the globe, and donors were able to connect with them live to ask questions and learn about their work. I think that takes stewardship to the next level, by creating a priceless experience that couldn’t happen without great technology.??

Q: How has your nonprofit experience helped you as a Senior Account Executive?

A: I have so much empathy and respect for fundraising professionals and nonprofit employees. It’s incredibly hard work and they deserve the absolute best tools and resources to achieve their missions. As a former fundraising professional, I’m able to help our nonprofit partners develop new and creative fundraising campaigns. One campaign idea I’m particularly excited about is creating branded and customized peer-to-peer pages for corporate sponsors. It takes minutes to create and results in thousands of additional donations. I’ve worked with so many corporate sponsors that would have loved this!

Q: How was the transition from working at a nonprofit to Classy?

A: Since I worked almost exclusively for nonprofits before joining Classy, I was intimidated at first, but the transition could not have been smoother. Classy is such an amazing collection of people who truly believe in what we are doing to make the world a better place. My very first week at Classy, my daughter’s school was shut down due to COVID. I was panicking about having to tell my new boss that I was going to miss almost all of my training. But our leadership was so supportive and compassionate to help me balance work with family. Without hesitation, my boss told me to put my family first and that we’d figure everything else out later. That was such a huge relief and it made a lasting impression on me.?

Q: What would you say are the top skills needed to be successful on the Classy sales team?

A: It’s really just about listening, taking a genuine interest in learning about the nonprofits we serve, and then working with them to solve problems. Even if you don’t have a sales background, connecting with people and their mission is 98% of what we do. As with any sales role, you have to be determined and persistent, but that is a lot easier when you really believe in what you are selling.?

Steven is a champion of nonprofits and a prime example of how an individual can make a meaningful difference for our customers and also in the social sector.

Interested in a similar career path? View our open roles to join Classy’s movement for good.