The most important things to remember when fundraising for non-profits are to network, remain independent of your donors and above all, never compromise your agenda, said a panel of non-profit professionals at a lecture Friday.
For those looking to work in non-profit organizations, "you need money," said Bill Goodfellow, executive director of the Center for International Policy. Goodfellow and several other non-profit leaders shared tips on how to get that money with AU students in the International Development Program Student Association's lecture series.
Each of the non-profits represented had different fundraising strategies. The Center for International Policy, a foreign policy research organization, does not accept any government funding and relies entirely on private donors and foundations, Goodfellow said. Educate the Girls Inc., a non-profit that helps send young Ugandan girls to school, sells baskets made by the girls and gets money from individual donors, said Elaine Kessler, founder and president of Educate the Girls Inc.
Emily Gantz McKay, founder and president of the non-profit Mosaica, described her organization as "extremely values-based." They are selective about what money they accept, she said. Mosaica helps community-based non-profits in the U.S. and internationally become more effective and sustainable, according to its Web site.
"Some kinds of government money we don't take, and some kinds of corporate money we don't take," she added.
The panelists cautioned students to be wary of their donors' interests.
One way to decide whether or not to accept money from a donor is to ask, "Does it make me feel as if I'm a bad person if I take their money?" McKay said.
Goodfellow encouraged fundraisers to look to individuals rather than the government or foundations. It is important to take an active approach to fundraising. Working for tips as a bartender in college helped him to become a successful fundraiser, he said.
"You can't be shy and bashful - you've got to get out there," Goodfellow said. "You're selling your organization - you're selling yourself."
It is a joy to work in the non-profit sector, Goodfellow said.
"What most people do on vacation, we get paid to do." You don't make a huge amount of money, he said, but "it's great fun."
"I am energized," said Ana Paula de la O, an AU graduate student in the School of International Studies, after hearing the panelists.
De la O is a member of IDPSA. She sold purses and necklaces from Mexico, Ghana and Brazil following the panel discussion. The money raised will help fund the lecture series.
