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July 03, 2008

Is the Economy Affecting the Job Market for Fund Raisers?

Fund raising in a profession that is unusually resilient — even in a poor economy.

Some organizations step up hiring fund raisers in tough times to help keep contributions from falling. But some fund raisers say they are hearing about planned cutbacks, such as one caller who recently told us about a hospital that has suspended its plans to expand the fund-raising staff because of the economy.

What’s happening with the fund-raising job market in your part of the country? Do you see any evidence that nonprofit groups are shelving plans to expand the number of fund raisers they hire, or not filling jobs when fund raisers leave?

Tell us what your organization is doing — and what you think makes sense in this turbulent economy.

— Holly Hall

Thursday July 3, 2008 | Permalink

Comments

1. My organization just eliminated my position (regional vp of development) and is hiring the minimum # of people at the minimum salary at two local units. What do I think makes sense? Donor relationship management, increased communication and stewardship. Hiring!!

   — Susan Daily    Jul 7, 03:18 PM    #

2. My organization is even more committed to cultivating new prospects and managing existing partnerships in the current environment. We operate on the premise that performance and stewardship receive more scrutiny when donors have to make difficult choices.

   — Christine Bognar    Jul 7, 04:03 PM    #

3. Like Christine’s comment, the small grassroots organization I am working with has decided to invest money to improve stewardship and M&E to make them even more competitive for new funders and to ensure that they maintain their current funders. While these things are always important, I agree that they become more so in tough economic times.

   — Jessica Vejnovic    Jul 7, 08:00 PM    #

4. It’s not the economy, it is the Board of Directors! As VP for Development of the local branch of a national NPO I called on the Board to step up to the plate and make personal leadership gifts as well as to get more donors. Their response…they laid me off!

   — Adam    Jul 8, 12:23 AM    #

5. Hello Adam and Susan: I am interested to hear more about your experiences and would like to talk to each of you about these layoffs. Would it be possible to speak by telephone or e-mail? You can reach me at holly.hall@philanthropy.com or at 202 466-1219. Thanks for writing in!

   — Holly Hall    Jul 8, 10:50 AM    #

6. Cutting back on development now reveals a lack of vision. You can’t work twice as hard with fewer staff. And if you’re laying people off now — when you need them most — you’re already proven that you’re not working smarter. Now is not the time to be timid.

   — Wayne Fowler    Jul 9, 05:56 PM    #

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