Here's how you can gain fundraising experience without a formal education.

Life experience. That is the nutshell answer. But of course, to expand on how you get that life experience, Volunteer Smartly is key. Find organizations in which you share the same passion and find ways to volunteer for them. The payment you get may not be immediate cash in hand but a long game of learning, gaining knowledge and connecting with the people who can help elevate you and guide you on the path to get to your end goal. Small to medium sized nonprofits might be a good place for board placements as well. More mature, established nonprofits are not off the table, but they may already have established board members and a tighter process to get a seat. Good luck! You got this.

I am not sure if formal education can define your future as a successful fundraiser Fundraising is like sales, you don’t go to university for 4 years to learn how to sell, as there are better places to learn from Real life experience is absolutely your best school Start small, but dream big Build relationships, don’t cut corners, don’t chase a quick buck Remember, one hand does not clap, and if you are the only winner in the deal, that is a very bad deal no matter how much money you made. The world is getting ever smaller than before. The internet is making it as a small village and you don’t want to ruin your reputation for some short term gain Network effectively, leverage technology and attend as many in-person events as you can

Venture capital may seem a scary place to try and get into but it’s when where ironically education or the lack of it forms really create a barrier. Two main things you need to show 1) you’re not a leach, you have something to offer. Go to networking events, meet interesting companies, introduce them to funds thereby showing your worth 2) show your entrepreneurial flair. Join a start up, start your own company. The above are usually better than any degree you can get.

This is the first step to acquire experience. You might think as an internship opportunity in order to improve your skills and also understand how things work. It not easy to raise funds by yourself once your are starting an activity such as blood or clothes donation, you can figure out that when you create a startup probably you will receive 99% of no’s while requesting money, it will not be different as a volunteer. That is why you need to enter in projects that are already in progress and check how you can help. At the end it’s not easy but it will be regretful.

The network it is one of the most important skills that you might have in your resume. You will acquire according the time and you will understand the importance in the future. Sometimes it will be more importer to know who knows to save time and also money and for sure you will be able to apply in your professional life as well.

You want me to practice asking people for money?!?! 🤪 I believe it’s important to first state, asking for money can be scary, unnerving, and even create a twinge of anxiety. Even now I’ll occasionally get butterflies before a pitch. THIS IS NORMAL! The best practice, for me, begins with two things: 1. Pitch something I myself would invest in. It’s SO MUCH EASIER to pitch or practice pitching something I love. Fundraising is NOT sales. It’s personal. My passions are personal and so are my asks. 2. Remember my passion and identify prospects who have even a fraction of my passion for a project or cause. Practice a pitch on like-minded audiences. Ask them: what can I say that would move you to “I’d be interested in learning more.”

A great way to start as a volunteer is working with charitable activities at your community, such as food, clothes or blood donation. You will get involved with the community and also increase your network. You will be able to understand and create a flow of activities and also plan all the steps necessary to successfully achieve the main goal, from communication and the donation process itself, in order to identify the beneficiaries.

I wouldn't suggest starting your own fundraiser for a cause. Reach out to an organization that you align with and see if they need help. Third party fundraisers, without the approval/oversight of the organization can be very confusing to donors. I promise you, if you believe in the good work of an established organization they are going to be SO thrilled to have you helping them fundraise! They may decide to want you to plan a bake sale or such, but I wouldn't just start one on your own.

Understand your Funder Audience Different funders are looking for different outcomes with their financial gifts and/or different timing of when they intend to give. Having a personal conversation with funders to better understand how, when, where they wish to help will assist your organization to align their generous intentions with your organization’s needs