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Fundraising Mock Interview

Question 2 of 30 for our Fundraising Mock Interview

Fundraising was updated by on April 19th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 2 of 30

Please share a time when you did not meet a fundraising quota. How did you react?

While the interviewer wants to know that you can successfully meet a fundraising quota, it is also important to be honest about times you might have fallen short of the goal. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to accept responsibility, learn from mistakes, or move forward when things don't go as planned (even if they aren't your fault!). Fundraisers don't always meet their goals for a variety of reasons; the interviewer wants to know that you can handle this circumstance with professionalism.

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How to Answer: Please share a time when you did not meet a fundraising quota. How did you react?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Fundraising job interview.

  • 2. Please share a time when you did not meet a fundraising quota. How did you react?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      While the interviewer wants to know that you can successfully meet a fundraising quota, it is also important to be honest about times you might have fallen short of the goal. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to accept responsibility, learn from mistakes, or move forward when things don't go as planned (even if they aren't your fault!). Fundraisers don't always meet their goals for a variety of reasons; the interviewer wants to know that you can handle this circumstance with professionalism.

      Written by Isaiah Swanson on April 19th, 2022

      How to Answer

      Explain to the interviewer what your fundraising quota was for the fiscal year, and describe in detail the reasons why you failed to meet that quota. If you didn't reach the quota because of a mistake, be honest about that mistake and talk about what you learned as a result. Be careful not to blame others or avoid responsibility. Instead, illustrate how you rallied and developed a plan to account for the funding gap.

      Written by Isaiah Swanson on April 19th, 2022

      1st Answer Example

      "In recent years, corporate giving has been decreasing in favor of in-kind donations and volunteer experiences. This means it has become increasingly difficult to meet fundraising quotas, and my team has had to get creative to do so. The first year we started to notice this trend, I fell short of my $150,000 goal by about $7,000. Since I am a person who strives to meet every goal I set, I will admit that I considered this a failure at the time. However, I was taught my whole life to learn from these situations and use them to propel me to a better version of myself. Therefore, I didn't allow my momentum to slow and proceeded to research unexplored avenues for giving. I redirected some of the time I would have spent on corporate giving into researching private foundations, and this strategy really paid off for us!"

      Written by Isaiah Swanson on April 19th, 2022

      2nd Answer Example

      "About five years ago, the federal and state governments made cuts to a grant program that we have relied on for more than twenty years to help us provide companionship to seniors living in isolation. The cuts happened quite suddenly, so I had to quickly adjust my fundraising plan to account for the $50,000 deficit. I was able to raise about $35,000 by investigating new grant options. I felt a sting of disappointment, of course, but I always try to maintain a positive attitude and optimistic outlook. I met with my supervisor, and we agreed to increase my fundraising goal for the next fiscal year by $15,000. From there, I began a strategic partnership with our city's Aging Commission, which agreed to sponsor annual expenses for our volunteers serving clients in their homes. This sponsorship accounted for the previous deficit, and I learned to remain persistent and focused in the face of perceived failure."

      Written by Isaiah Swanson on April 19th, 2022