Dear Subscriber,
Here at the Chronicle we strive to give you a preview of what’s next in the nonprofit world, the trends, people, and ideas that will shape the future of the sector. For our new February issue, Rasheeda Childress takes a closer look at the next generation of fundraisers.
These young professionals, often in their 20s and 30s, constantly question what’s being done in the field and offer new, innovative approaches. “They’re unbelievably creative people coming in with really unique and exciting ideas, ways to utilize technology effectively, ways to be hyperresponsive to donors in a way that I don’t know was the standard when I started,” says Caitie Deranek Stewart, senior director of development for the University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute.
Consider Carlos Prieto, who started as a canvasser for the Greenpeace Fund and is now a major-gifts officer for the organization. He uses texts, emails, and other technology to keep in touch with donors, but he nurtures and cements those relationships in person, often in nature. “Whether it’s a hike with a donor or just sitting on a bench in a park with them and overlooking their favorite viewpoint, it gets them out of their traditional box and way of thinking,” he says.
Yesenia Mendoza, director of development at the Latino Equality Alliance, reimagined the organization’s gala with a quinceañera theme. Despite early concerns about the shift, the event raised $45,000 more than the previous one, she says.
This new crop of fundraisers faces challenges, though, including finding mentors, setting unrealistic expectations for themselves, and burnout. Rasheeda asked both experienced and next-gen fundraisers for their best advice on building relationships with mentors and charting a career path.
