Why did you become a fundraiser with Aleeh Schwoerer
Aleeh Schwoerer (pronounced al'-lē shware) is the Development Manager for Arts Midwest, a regional, nonprofit arts organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
She is also one of the newest members of AFP Greater Madison’s Board of Directors. Aleeh serves on the chapter’s Professional Development and Membership Committees.
Recently, I asked Aleeh if she would share her story and the journey that led to her fundraising career. I hope her story motivates and encourages you.
What inspired you to become a fundraiser?
I enjoy collaborating with staff, partners, and supporters to see a mission and vision achieved. Being part of a team that blends diverse skills, personalities, and abilities to make programs and events happen is soul-satisfying.
As a fundraiser, I provide a solid funding foundation that helps my organization dream big and reach its goal of strengthening local arts and culture efforts in nine Midwestern states.
Were you always interested in pursuing a fundraising career? If not, what made you decide to follow this path?
While pursuing my Master of Arts in Performing Arts Administration, I hadn’t anticipated a career in fundraising. However, our coursework revealed that fundraising involves far more than just asking for money, and a career opportunity during my class helped advance my knowledge.
Engaging with AFP events and contributing to the Professional Development committee allowed me to network with accomplished fundraisers and gain the confidence to pursue fundraising as a career.
What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
As a grant writer, I enjoy turning our staff's inspiring visions into compelling proposals. I love listening and learning about their passion projects and understanding the journey that shaped their vision.
I also enjoy searching for new funders and exploring how their values align with those of Arts Midwest.
What are your future career goals?
My overall goal is to remain a fundraiser dedicated to arts, culture, and creativity, whether on a local, regional, or national scale. I am currently enjoying my role as a grant writer and am actively enhancing my fundraising skills through webinars, conferences, and AFP events.
As I build my expertise, I hope to someday join the leadership team of an arts organization as a Director, Vice President, or CEO.
If you could share one piece of advice or the most compelling lesson you've learned during your fundraising career, what would that be?
Make your ask with confidence.
You have put in the time to understand the donor. You’ve built the relationship. You know when it is time to make the ask. In those moments of self-doubt when your request feels like a long shot, surprises can and often do happen!
Even if the answer is “no,” you can use that experience to craft your request better in the future. You will have an opportunity to connect with others who may say “yes” next time.
What motivated you to become an AFP Greater Madison Board Member?
I previously served on the AFP Professional Development Committee and had a wonderful experience. At events, I met and developed relationships with other AFP members. We have a great chapter filled with unique individuals representing our diverse nonprofit landscape.
What do you wish you had known when you started as a professional fundraiser?
You don’t have to be an extrovert to be a fundraiser!
I am an introvert and feared this would hinder my success at my job. Remarkably, I have found my ability to listen closely while in conversation to be a strength, allowing me to connect easily with reserved donors and funding partners.
While people can develop skills like making presentations at meetings or networking, the sustaining factor in the fundraising profession is your genuine passion for your organization’s mission and finding innovative and effective ways to communicate it to your donors and supporters.
Thank you to Aleeh Schwoerer for taking the time to share her story with us this month.
If you’d like to share the story of your fundraising journey in an upcoming newsletter, please reach out to AFP Greater Madison’s Communications Committee Chair, Max Nguyen, at mnguyen@edgewood.edu.
