Building The Best Fundraising Team

People give not because of the organisation, they give because of its people. Fundraisers are the key element that can empower the act of generosity, and this is exactly what makes fundraisers so special. Being a successful fundraiser requires more than just being a good person. While empathy, compassion, and sensitivity are important personal qualities, fundraisers (and their organisations) also need a set of professional competencies to reach their full potential. The strength and financial sustainability of a non-profit organisation are directly linked to the competence and balance of its fundraising team.

What are the most important areas of competency for fundraisers? How can we measure the competencies of individual fundraisers and the fundraising team as a whole? And, ultimately, how can we build the best fundraising team? These questions will be discussed in this session.

Giedrė will share her experience in building the first fundraising competency development program in Lithuania in 2020-2022. The framework of the programme – developed fundraising competency test which was a baseline for the unique program constructed specially for the Lithuanian context and based on the needs of the specific group of fundraisers. Next to the key learnings and examples, there will be introduced special tool – a competence matrix. A competence matrix analyzes and summarizes employee abilities, desires, and knowledge levels to add value. This tool helps to define how best the team can execute its functions and achieve the required fundraising goals. A systematic and strategic approach to fundraising competencies will lead to a strong, motivated and highly professional fundraising team. How can we build such a team for our organisations?

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding how to measure and evaluate fundraising competencies.
• Tips on planning and delivering effective fundraising training based on actual needs, not just desires.
• Introducing a valuable tool for building and managing a fundraising team: the competence matrix.
• Gaining a deeper understanding of the critical factors when hiring individuals for fundraiser positions.

Who should attend:

• Managing and development directors.
• Board members and senior team members responsible for building a successful fundraising team.
• Fundraisers of all levels.

Suggested level of audience:

• Intermediate fundraisers/leaders.