Origin story with Elliott Valentine

What inspired you to become a fundraiser?

I didn’t set out to be a professional fundraiser before college (who did?) but I feel lucky to have found it pretty early on after graduating. Coming out of a degree where I double majored in sociology and history, I was motivated to find some way to be involved with social causes that were personally important to me: education, socioeconomic and racial justice, and more. At the same time, I had moved to Madison and had found a vibrant, active community I fit in with quickly – that started to motivate me to focus on causes that are particularly high-need for Madison (that motivation has only grown). And really – without being too dramatic – I feel I’ve grown up in such a fortunate position in my life that, if I can give back, I have a responsibility to. Fundraising has proven to be an area where I can do that while also growing a robust career in a supportive professional field.

Were you always interested in fundraising? If not, when did you decide to follow this career path?

Not necessarily fundraising, but always “being part of the team.” I see a throughline from my experience as a section leader back in high school marching band, to being a “student ambassador” for my college’s new student orientation, to eventually working for a nonprofit and doing fundraising. Each involved a lot of being a “champion for the cause,” organizing a group around a shared mission, and using my communication skills. I found fundraising early on after college, and it quickly was clear I could utilize that mindset I had been growing to make a difference for causes that are personally important to me. I’m lucky to have had a lot of options about what I wanted to do with my career, and to have early mentors and resources that showed me professional fundraising had a real career trajectory ahead.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

Some of the most satisfying points in my work are when all the pieces “click” together. Crafting the message, building giving channels, coordinating thoughtful campaigns, and seeing resulting gifts come in. Afterward, getting to thank donors and talk to them about why giving is important to them. Then, of course, curating a thorough database that tells the story of the donor, enabling us to do it even better next time. I’m actually not as motivated as some fundraisers are by landing the biggest gifts or hosting the fanciest event. I’ve learned to love the process of fundraising done right.

If you could share one piece of advice or the most compelling lesson that you’ve learned during your fundraising career, what would that be?

I don’t remember where I heard the advice that “donors don’t expect you to be perfect.” I often still feel myself bristling against that advice, but the longer I keep it in mind, the more my experience has shown it’s correct! In my experience, donors don’t expect you to be perfect, they expect you to be a person.

Having to email back a donor to admit you attached the wrong document, flubbing a few lines in your big annual event speech, not knowing the details of how the donor’s favorite sports team is doing. They all show you’re a real person with your own real feelings and thoughts. And you need to be real to show a donor you truly believe in the cause you’re fundraising for and that you care about them as a person, too.

If it’s true that people give to people (and I believe it is), then being a real person, not a perfect person, is what donors need from you.

What are your future career goals?

I just took a step in my career, joining the staff of The Road Home Dane County as their Development Director. That came with wider responsibilities and more management responsibilities than I’ve previously had. It wasn’t an easy decision to leave my former position with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra—I was fortunate that both opportunities had a path for me to grow professionally. Making the move to The Road Home was very in line with my greater career goals to be fully ingrained in my community and to use my skills to make big leaps in vital-to-Madison causes.

What do you wish you had known when you started as a professional fundraiser? 

I wish my younger fundraising self had made more of a habit to keep up with my professional networks, both in fundraising and greater career circles. When the COVID-19 pandemic started just two months into a new job (at the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra) that revealed a gap in how prepared I was to stay in touch with former co-workers, AFP connections, and others. I had relied a lot on coincidental interactions before. Since then, trying to be more intentional about staying in touch with colleagues and contacts has paid off.

In my experience, we’re all figuring it out as we go along. Essentially every professional fundraiser I’ve spent any time with has been game to share advice, not hoard their expertise.

And, of course, this is something I’m still working on! I was happy to join the AFP Greater Madison board this year to both get myself more tapped into the local fundraiser community and to help strengthen the connections we all have to each other through the chapter.