Chapter 18: Fundraisers: Stewards of Philanthropy

Driven by mission, equipped with industry knowledge and research, and guided by a duty to social responsibility, the fundraising field is ever evolving to meet nonprofit and community needs. Fundraisers facilitate charitable giving but are understudied and often underappreciated for their contributions to philanthropy. Understanding fundraisers’ role in philanthropy will help practitioners do their best work, build awareness for reflection and improvement, combat uncertainties and isolation, and develop the professional community. This chapter reviews the history of formalized fundraising, examines fundraisers’ demographics and responsibilities, summarizes research about the nature of fundraising, and discusses opportunities and challenges for the field.

Genevieve G. Shaker

Genevieve G. Shaker, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Previously, she was an active fundraiser for 20 years. She served as Associate Dean for Development and External Affairs for the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts, where she led communications, alumni programming, public events, and fundraising, including overseeing the school’s $20 million-dollar contribution to an overall $3.9 billion university-wide campaign. She teaches regularly for The Fund Raising School.

Sarah K. Nathan

Sarah K. Nathan, Ph.D., is a self-described “pracademic” who has spent her entire career in the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser, educator, volunteer, and leader. Most recently she has been focused on community philanthropy and currently serves as the Executive Director of Middletown Community Foundation in Ohio. Dr. Nathan spent five years prior as the Associate Director of The Fund Raising School (TFRS), where she managed all aspects of the curriculum designed for fundraising practitioners. She is a proud graduate of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and holds a M.A. and Ph.D. in philanthropic studies.

Achieving Excellence editor and Director of The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz discusses this chapter with author(s) Genevieve Shaker and Sarah Nathan