Fundraising Mock Interview

Practice 30 Fundraising interview questions covering donor relations, campaign strategy, and metrics.

WRITTEN BY ISAIAH SWANSON
QUESTION 3 OF 30

What do you know about the fundraising cycle?

Ryan Brown
Ryan Brown
Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Knowing the main steps of the fundraising cycle is essential in securing a fundraising position. While successful fundraisers will customize this process based on the needs of their organization, the central tenets of the fundraising cycle remain an excellent guide. Show the interviewer that you are familiar with this process.

Isaiah Swanson
Isaiah Swanson
Isaiah Swanson is a volunteer recruitment professional who has interviewed, trained, and supervised thousands of volunteers supporting dozens of nonprofit programs helping families in crisis, homebound seniors, and victims of natural disasters.
How to Answer

Begin by providing the interviewer with an overview of what you have learned from your fundraising experience. Focus on the steps of the fundraising cycle: Identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

If you are a recent graduate, no problem! Simply share what you have learned during your college career as well as from any internships you have had. Be sure to mention that you look forward to learning the ropes of the fundraising field and becoming an expert in this unique industry!

Isaiah Swanson
Isaiah Swanson
Isaiah Swanson is a volunteer recruitment professional who has interviewed, trained, and supervised thousands of volunteers supporting dozens of nonprofit programs helping families in crisis, homebound seniors, and victims of natural disasters.
Example Answer

"I have worked as a major gifts officer with the same organization for ten years. In that time, I have developed an advanced understanding of how to leverage the fundraising cycle for the greatest financial impact and have netted over 100 million in committed and fulfilled funds. In addition, I train new fundraising associates in how to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and potential donors."

Isaiah Swanson
Isaiah Swanson
Isaiah Swanson is a volunteer recruitment professional who has interviewed, trained, and supervised thousands of volunteers supporting dozens of nonprofit programs helping families in crisis, homebound seniors, and victims of natural disasters.
Example Answer 2

"Although I have never worked in a full-time fundraising position, I did intern with the development department at a social services organization during my college years. Part of my responsibilities included identifying potential new donors in the 18- to 25-year-old age bracket and then using digital research strategies to qualify them. This experience was an excellent introduction to the basic steps of fundraising, and I am eager and excited to expand my skills in this position with your organization!"

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30 Fundraising Interview Questions & Answers

Jump to any question in the set.

01 Why do you want a career in fundraising? DISCOVERY 02 How would you rate your communication skills? DISCOVERY 03 What do you know about the fundraising cycle? OPERATIONAL 04 Tell me about your college education and how it has prepared you for a fundraising position? DISCOVERY 05 Have you worked in sales or telemarketing before? DISCOVERY 06 What experience do you have that you believe relates to fundraising? DISCOVERY 07 How persuasive are you? DISCOVERY 08 How do you build relationships with potential donors you have never met in person? OPERATIONAL 09 What motivates you in life? DISCOVERY 10 Tell me about the largest amount of capital you've raised? DISCOVERY 11 Have you ever led a capital campaign? DISCOVERY 12 Please describe an experience you have had leading a team to success. LEADERSHIP 13 Please describe your management experience. MANAGEMENT 14 Are you able to accommodate non-traditional work hours? DISCOVERY 15 Why would you make a good fundraiser? DISCOVERY 16 How did you develop leads in your most recent fundraising position? DISCOVERY 17 Do you feel passionate about our organization? DISCOVERY 18 What do you know about our programs, and the reason why we are raising funds? DISCOVERY 19 Have you done any volunteer fundraising? DISCOVERY 20 How would you go about seeking new opportunities for professional development in this role? DISCOVERY 21 Please describe your experience with donor acknowledgment. DISCOVERY 22 Have you had any experience utilizing volunteers for fundraising efforts? DISCOVERY 23 Please share a time when you did not meet a fundraising quota. How did you react? BEHAVIORAL 24 What grant-seeking experience do you have? DISCOVERY 25 Do you have any experience incorporating new technology into fundraising efforts? TECHNICAL 26 Are you comfortable asking people for money? DISCOVERY 27 Would you host a dinner for potential donors? DISCOVERY 28 What fundraising techniques would you want to use for our cause? SCENARIO 29 What are some creative fundraising ideas you have? DISCOVERY 30 When have you been rejected before? How did you handle it? BEHAVIORAL
RELATED SETS
CAREER
Fundraising Manager
Isaiah Swanson
Written by Isaiah Swanson
30 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS · FUNDRAISING
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