How do you encourage generosity in others, whether it be their ability to contribute financially or with their time?

"Thanks to my three years interning with a local nonprofit development team, I have been exposed to every level of the donor cycle. I was responsible for stewarding relationships with donors who committed sums under 1,000 with the ultimate goal of solidifying their connection to the organization and moving them into a higher donor bracket. In those two years, I committed over a dozen new donors at the 1,000 level and stewarded three existing donors to the 5,000-10,000 level. My work crafting annual reports showed the donors the exact ways in which their money was used to create change in the community."

"When people know how their time and resources are specifically benefitting others, they are more likely to contribute. Many people want to donate to an organization but lack the financial means to do so. One of my joys is helping people find ways to get involved, even if they can't make a monetary donation. One of my mother's friends is a retired social worker who I knew was looking to get involved in the community. I told her that my organization was looking for a person to advocate for the rights of nursing home inhabitants due to the increasing caseload. This gave her a purpose and a place to apply her skills and passion for helping others. She ended up becoming the first permanent volunteer in that program."

Whether or not you are specifically applying for a fundraising position in the organization, nonprofit employees are always encouraged to spread the word about the organization and its mission to continue to bolster financial and volunteer support. However, if you are applying for a fundraising position, then presenting your in-depth knowledge of the donor cycle will be critical here. If you are applying for a volunteer recruitment position, then it will be equally important to demonstrate how you get people to commit.