When you are looking at corporate industry and what you need to do to think about fundraising in it, you are going to need to think about the fact that you are going to be working for a nonprofit or a similar organization. This means that you are going to be working for a company that in some ways, survives on fundraising and as you may suspect, this is a job that has a lot to do with the success of the company as a whole. It can be something of a pressure cooker when you are looking at it, and you will find that getting involved can be even more hectic. Take some time and make sure that you know what you are getting into and that you will be able to get the results that you need. Are you someone who is persistent enough to keep calling and to solicit those donations?
If you are considering fundraising jobs, you are going to find that one of the most important things that you need to be is communicative. Unless you can clearly and concisely present good information as to why your cause needs the money that is being asked for, you will find it going to someone else, and you have to make sure that that does not happen! This goes for more than just verbal communication, too. You will find that you need to be someone who can write clearly and who can create phone messages that will really make people call you back! The better you are communicating, the better off you will be in this field. There is a lot to be said for someone who can get the point across very clearly and precisely, and if you are looking for a way to move forward and to get the right kind of work done, this is something to keep in mind.
Another talent that you need to have when you are thinking about fundraising jobs in the corporate industry is that you need to be organized. This goes beyond just keeping your desk tidy and your files where people can see them. Unless you know what is going on, you are going to risk falling behind and you are going to discover that no one is going to know what is going on! There are plenty of different reasons why you want to be organized, but perhaps the best one is because you want to make connections. You want to think about what people have donated in the past and what they might be convinced to donate in the future and with that in mind, you need to make the right pitch. Unless you have this clearly in mind, you are going to be lagging behind, and that is something that you will pay for sooner or later. Make sure that you have all of your information organized. You never know when you might need to present your files and the information that goes with them, and being caught scrabbling doesn't do much for your professional image.
Also keep in mind that fundraising is something that is raised and fed on contacts. If you have ever heard the phrase it's not what you know but who you know, there is definitely some truth in it, but in all honesty, it is not that hard to get to know people. Remember that part of this job is being social and that you should stop and talk to everyone. No matter who it is, find something to chat about. You never know when a contact is going to come in handy, and you'll be surprised when it does. Take some time to really think about where you go or who you speak to, and at the end of the day, you may be surprised at what you are looking at in terms of results!
When you are looking into fundraising for a nonprofit or for any cause, remember that you should always do your homework. The more information that you have going in, the better off you are going to be, and if you are looking at getting the right kind of results out of your work, you are going to find that you are better off the more you know.
