How to Be Telephone Fundraiser - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 11, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Cause: Telephone fundraising is a popular method of fundraising for many organizations. Effect: It allows organizations to reach potential donors quickly and easily, and can be a great way to build relationships with current and potential supporters. Additionally, it is an efficient way to raise funds, as it can be done in a short amount of time and with limited resources. Furthermore, telephone fundraising often results in larger donations as donors feel more connected to the cause when speaking with a fundraiser.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Most telephone fundraising positions require a high school degree or equivalent. Therefore, it is important to complete your high school education before attempting to pursue a career in telephone fundraising.
Obtain any relevant certifications. Depending on the type of telephone fundraising you are interested in, there may be certifications that you can obtain to make yourself more competitive for available positions. For example, if you are interested in becoming a telethon fundraiser, you may consider obtaining a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Gain experience. Many telephone fundraising positions require experience in customer service, sales or fundraising. You can gain experience in these areas by volunteering at a local nonprofit organization or working in a customer-service oriented job.
Apply for available positions. You can find many telephone fundraising positions posted online or by contacting local nonprofits directly. Make sure to include any relevant certifications or experience on your application and submit it promptly.
Complete any necessary training. Once you have been hired for a telephone fundraising position, you may need to complete certain types of training before you can start working. This training will likely cover topics such as donor relations, donation processing and legal compliance.

Fundraising is an important part of many organizations operations and is essential to their success. Telephone fundraising is an effective way to reach out to potential donors and build relationships with them. To ensure that telephone fundraising is successful, it is important to identify ideal and qualified prospects.

This can be done by researching the donor pool, utilizing customer segmentation strategies, and creating targeted campaigns. creating an effective script and having a thorough understanding of the organizations goals and mission will help to ensure that the fundraiser is able to effectively convey their message to prospective donors. Finally, providing donors with an easy way to donate, such as a secure online donation platform, will help to increase the success of the telephone fundraiser.

You may want to check Telemarketing Representative, B2B Telemarketer, and Call Center Telemarketer for alternative.

Job Description

Telephone Fundraiser: Responsible for making outbound calls to potential donors and engaging them in conversation to obtain donations or pledges.
Database Coordinator: Responsible for maintaining an accurate and organized database of donor information.
Reporting Analyst: Responsible for preparing, analyzing, and presenting data-driven reports to track progress toward fundraising goals.
Gift Processor: Responsible for processing donations and updating donor records.
Donor Relations Representative: Responsible for building relationships with current donors and cultivating relationships with potential donors.
Events Coordinator: Responsible for organizing, planning, and managing special events to raise money for the organization.
Social Media Manager: Responsible for creating content and posting on social media channels to engage potential and existing donors.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent verbal communication skills
Comfortable making cold calls
Ability to handle rejection
Strong persuasion and negotiation skills
Ability to build and maintain relationships
Ability to multi-task and prioritize
Knowledge of fundraising procedures and regulations
Excellent customer service skills
Knowledge of computer systems and software
Time management and organizational skills

Fundraising for a cause or charity can be a difficult task, but it is also one of the most rewarding activities. For a successful telephone fundraiser, it is essential to possess certain skills, such as strong communication, empathy, and perseverance. Good communication skills are essential for engaging potential donors in meaningful conversations and for conveying the mission and impact of the cause.

Empathy and understanding are key to building a connection with the donor and engaging them in the conversation. Lastly, perseverance is a must-have skill, as some donors may not be interested in giving, and one has to be able to move on to the next person without giving up. With the right combination of these skills, a telephone fundraiser can be successful in achieving their goals and making a difference.

Telemarketer, Residential Telemarketer, and Cold Caller are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in telephone fundraising?
How do you handle difficult calls or those that involve rejection?
What strategies do you use to build relationships with donors?
How do you stay organized and motivated when making calls?
What techniques do you use to maximize donor engagement?
How do you handle objections or questions that arise during a call?
How do you ensure compliance with state and federal fundraising regulations?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in fundraising?
What is your experience with data entry and reporting?
How would you handle a situation where a donor wanted to speak to a supervisor?

Common Tools in Industry

Call Scripts. Pre-prepared scripts that help fundraisers to structure their pitch and provide them with the information necessary to close a sale. (e. g. Hello, my name is [name] and Im calling on behalf of [organization]. Were raising funds to support [cause]. )
Database. A system that stores donor contact information, donation history, and other important data. (e. g. Salesforce)
Call Tracking Software. A tool that records the number of calls made and responses received so that fundraising teams can monitor progress and set goals. (e. g. CallRail)
Automated Dialer. Automates the process of making phone calls, so that fundraisers can move through a list of contacts quickly and efficiently. (e. g. Five9)
Live Chat Software. Allows fundraisers to respond to inquiries in real-time, reducing the need for follow-up calls. (e. g. LiveChat)
Voice Recording Software. Records telephone conversations for quality assurance, training, and other purposes. (e. g. Rev)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Canada
Association of Professional Fundraisers
National Society of Fundraising Executives
International Association of Telefundraising Professionals (IATFP)
Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
International Direct Marketing Association (IDMA)
European Fundraising Association (EFA)
Institute of Fundraising (IoF)
Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits

We also have Telephone Interviewer, Inbound Telemarketer, and Customer Service Telemarketer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Cold Calling. The act of contacting a potential customer without prior arrangement to ask if they would be interested in a product or service.
Script. A pre-determined set of questions and/or statements used by telephone fundraisers when communicating with potential donors.
Donor. An individual or organization that provides financial support to a charity or other cause.
Upselling. The practice of trying to persuade a customer to purchase additional products or services during a telephone call.
Follow-up Call. A call made to a potential donor after an initial contact to check for any updates on their donation status.
Appointment Setting. The act of scheduling an in-person meeting with a potential donor to discuss their donation intentions in more detail.
Sales Pitch. A carefully prepared statement or message designed to persuade potential customers to purchase a product or service.
Database. A collection of information organized in a structured way that can be used to store and access data.
Telemarketing. The practice of using the telephone to contact potential customers and promote products or services.
Lead Generation. The process of identifying and contacting potential customers who may be interested in a product or service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a telephone fundraiser?

A telephone fundraiser is a process of raising money for a cause or charity through direct solicitation over the phone.

What skills do telephone fundraisers need?

Telephone fundraisers need to have excellent communication skills, be able to think quickly on their feet, be persuasive, and have a good understanding of the cause they are fundraising for.

How much money can a telephone fundraiser raise?

The amount of money that can be raised through telephone fundraising depends on the type of campaign and how successful the fundraiser is in persuading potential donors. Generally speaking, a successful telephone fundraiser can raise thousands of dollars over the course of a campaign.

What types of organizations use telephone fundraisers?

Telephone fundraisers are used by a variety of organizations, including charities, political campaigns, schools, and religious organizations.

What are the benefits of telephone fundraising?

Telephone fundraising is an effective way to reach a large number of potential donors quickly and inexpensively. It also allows for direct contact with the donor, which can be used to establish long-term relationships with supporters.