How to Answer: What methods do you use to identify high-capacity donors?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Fundraising Manager job interview.
17. What methods do you use to identify high-capacity donors?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a fundraising manager, you will ensure each individual fundraiser on your team contributes to identifying donors based on their unique focus area (i.e., corporate giving, foundations, individual donors, etc.). However, you also need to be skilled at developing and following leads that result in financial awards for your organization. The interviewer wants to know that you have a detailed system for finding high-capacity donors.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on May 30th, 2022
How to Answer
There are a number of ways fundraising managers discover donors with excellent giving potential. Fundraisers attend special events where they can network with potential partners. They utilize lead generation software, consult with current donors, and host engaging fundraising experiences that will attract people passionate about their cause. Detail for the interviewer your professional strategy for identifying these kinds of donors.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on May 30th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have found networking to be the most effective strategy in terms of discovering new donors. I attend events for organizations with similar missions and reach out to corporations whose foundations focus on the areas that we address with our programs. Throughout the year, I work closely with our special events coordinator to craft events with sponsorship opportunities that are typically attractive to high-capacity donors. For example, last year we hosted a gala that included a dinner prepared by celebrity chefs, a special wine tasting, a silent auction, a live jazz band, dancing, and speeches by long-time benefactors. The event was $150-$500 a ticket depending on the perks the attendee wished to experience. During the gala, I greeted guests and visited each table to introduce myself and share more about the work we do with potential new supporters. This approach has yielded 5% growth amongst donors we consider to have strong giving capacity."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on May 30th, 2022