Fundraising specialists are very important to the success of nonprofits because they rely on getting the money they need to carry out their missions. A skilled fundraising specialist is an important part of any nonprofit team. They can find new donors, build relationships with current supporters, or plan and carry out successful fundraising campaigns.
If you want to work for a nonprofit as a fundraiser or if you’re a hiring manager looking to put together a strong fundraising team, you may be wondering what questions to ask candidates in order to find the best ones. This post has 15 interview questions and sample answers that can help you figure out if a candidate has the right skills, experience, and fits in with the culture and values of your company. These questions cover a wide range of topics to help you find the best person for your fundraising needs. They ask about everything from getting new donors to planning events and writing grants.
Interviews for jobs in the philanthropy sector can be tricky. Not only do hiring managers want to assess your skills and experience, they also want to get a sense of your values, passion and commitment to making the world a better place.
This means you need to do more than just prepare standard responses to common interview questions. You need to think holistically about how you can convey your suitability for a mission-driven role.
In this comprehensive guide. we’ll cover everything you need to know to ace your next philanthropy interview including
- An overview of the philanthropy sector
- 10 common philanthropy interview questions
- 5 questions to ask your interviewer
- Tips for preparing and standing out
Let’s get started!
Overview of the Philanthropy Sector
The philanthropy sector consists of nonprofit organizations, foundations, charities and social enterprises focused on advancing human welfare. Professionals in this field are driven by a desire to create positive social change in areas like education, healthcare, economic development, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability.
Some common philanthropy roles include:
- Foundation program officers who evaluate grant applications and manage grantee relationships
- Fundraisers who secure financial support from individual, corporate and foundation donors
- Nonprofit executives who lead and manage charitable organizations
- Social entrepreneurs who start new nonprofit ventures or social businesses
Philanthropy organizations vary widely in their mission, size and operating structure. But they all need creative, strategic and compassionate leaders who can effectively mobilize resources to tackle society’s most pressing issues.
10 Common Philanthropy Interview Questions
Let’s look at some frequent interview questions you’re likely to encounter for philanthropy roles along with tips for crafting strong responses:
1. Why are you interested in working in the philanthropy sector?
This question gets to the heart of your motivations. Share what draws you to this kind of purpose-driven work. Make your answer personal by connecting it to your values, passions and life experiences.
Example response: “I’ve always been passionate about educational equity. As someone who grew up attending underfunded public schools, I experienced firsthand the lack of opportunities available to students in low-income neighborhoods. This instilled in me a strong desire to address systemic barriers preventing all children from reaching their full potential. Working in philanthropy will allow me to be part of innovative solutions to expand access to quality education.”
2. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the nonprofit sector today?
Demonstrate your knowledge of the current landscape and concerns impacting nonprofits. Focus on a challenge relevant to the specific issue area or functional role you’re applying for.
Example response: “Securing sustainable funding is one of the biggest obstacles for organizations focused on the environment. With pressing concerns like climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, groups doing critical conservation work often struggle to find consistent support. If hired for this role, I would leverage my fundraising experience and networks to build donor relationships and funding streams to sustain the organization’s programs long-term.”
3. How would you evaluate the impact of a grant or philanthropic investment?
Show that you grasp the importance of measuring outcomes, not just inputs and activities. Share different methods you might use to gauge impact depending on the context. Demonstrate your commitment to accountability.
Example response: “I would work closely with the grantee to establish clear outcome-focused goals and metrics at the start based on what they’re aiming to achieve. Throughout the grant period, I would collect qualitative and quantitative data through methods like site visits, surveys, interviews and reviewing grantee reports. By looking at output metrics on activities completed alongside outcome metrics on changes achieved, I can gain a robust picture of the true impact and use those learnings to improve future grantmaking.”
4. Tell me about a time you successfully persuaded someone to support a cause or nonprofit you cared about.
Recount a specific example that showcases your ability to inspire engagement and investment from donors, volunteers or advocates. Share tactics that worked well while highlighting interpersonal skills.
Example response: “When I worked for a youth mentoring nonprofit, we desperately needed volunteers to meet growing demand. At a community event, I spoke passionately about our mission and the difference mentors make in kids’ lives. I was able to secure 10 new consistent volunteers by connecting our need to their personal values. This experience taught me how powerful storytelling and listening to people’s motivations are in mobilizing support.”
5. Describe your approach to stewarding donor relationships.
Show that you understand the importance of building rapport, trust and engagement with donors over time. Share strategies for donor care and retention. Demonstrate appreciation for donors’ investment.
Example response: “Ensuring donors feel valued and informed is critical to retaining their support. I like to take a personalized approach by learning about their interests, communication preferences and philanthropic goals. Based on that, I provide meaningful updates on our organization’s progress and the impact of their gifts through their preferred channels, whether that’s email, phone or in-person visits. I also make sure donors receive recognition and small tokens of appreciation on occasions like birthdays or volunteering milestones to show our gratitude.”
6. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge with a team member. How did you handle it?
Recount an instance where you successfully navigated a tricky interpersonal or team dynamic. Share the specific actions you took and the outcome. Demonstrate emotional intelligence, ethics and commitment to diversity.
Example response: “When a new team member made comments that alienated some of their coworkers, I set up a one-on-one meeting to sensitively address the issue. I discussed the importance of building an inclusive culture and making space for diverse perspectives. Together, we role-played responses to uncomfortable scenarios. Over time, I saw them implementing more considerate language and behaviors. This experience showed me that patient, compassionate guidance can help people grow.”
7. Describe a time you had to adapt your fundraising approach based on new information or changing circumstances.
Share a concrete example that highlights your analytical skills, flexibility and creativity. Outline how you pivoted your strategy and the results.
Example response: “When launching a capital campaign right before the pandemic hit, we realized our traditional in-person fundraising events would no longer be feasible. I immediately brainstormed with my team on ways to transition our efforts online. We ended up mobilizing our supporters through #GivingTuesday social media outreach and creating virtual panels with experts which enabled us to engage new audiences. As a result, we met our fundraising goal in spite of the challenging circumstances.”
8. Tell me about your experience managing budgets and tracking program expenses.
Demonstrate your financial management skills by outlining your experience monitoring budgets, controlling costs and ensuring proper use of funds. Highlight any special training or software proficiency. Provide an example if possible.
Example response: “In my last role, I oversaw a $500k program budget using QuickBooks to track expenses across 20+ line items in real time. I instituted quarterly financial reviews to identify any irregularities or overages early on so we could modify spending. Through these consistent controls, I retained surplus budget to put toward an additional program component that enhanced impact.”
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Show you have vision and purpose by sharing short and long-term career goals aligned with your values and growth. Highlight how this role would help build relevant skills.
Example response: “In 5 years, I hope to be managing a fundraising portfolio for a larger nonprofit enabling me to steward foundation grants and major donors toward causes I care about. This position would build my skills overseeing campaigns, events and communication outreach. Down the road, I’m interested in growing into a director role where I can mentor other fundraisers and help shape organizational strategy.”
10. Do you have any questions for me?
Always close with questions! This demonstrates your interest and engagement. Prioritize open-ended questions about things like organizational culture, challenges and goals.
Example questions:
- How would you describe the culture here?
- What helps set your nonprofit apart from others addressing similar issues?
- What skills are most needed to be successful in this role?
5 Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
Along with preparing responses to expected interview questions, you should plan thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. Here are some options:
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What inspired you to work for this organization? Gives insight into the interviewer’s motivations and what they value about the nonprofit.
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How are strategic decisions made within the organization? Helps you understand internal processes and whether it’s a collaborative culture.
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How is success measured for this position? Lets you assess what skills and outcomes are prioritized.
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What challenges is the organization currently facing? Demonstrates your interest in being part of solutions.
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What types of professional development opportunities are available? Shows you value growing your skills.
Aim for 2-5 well-researched, open-ended questions that show your enthusiasm for the mission and desire to grow. Avoid questions about logistics answered on the website or questions that put the interviewer on the spot.
Tips for Preparing and Standing Out
These tips will help you have a stellar interview and stand out from the
How do you ensure that your fundraising strategies align with the mission and values of the nonprofit organization you’re working for?
“It’s important to me to fully understand the organization’s mission and values, and I work with my coworkers to make sure that fundraising efforts are in line with the organization’s priorities.” I also check our strategies often to make sure they’re helping us reach our goals and staying true to our values. ”.
How do you approach donor segmentation and tailoring communications to different donor groups?
Example answer: “I segment donors based on factors such as giving history, level of engagement, and interests. I adjust my outreach and communication plans to fit their needs, sending them targeted messages and adding personal touches that show I care about their values and interests. This approach can help build stronger relationships with donors, leading to increased engagement and long-term support. ”.
How to Prepare for a Fundraising Job Interview
FAQ
What questions should I ask a philanthropist in an interview?
What questions should I ask a nonprofit organization in an interview?
How do I get a job in philanthropy?
Home Thought Leadership Applying and Interviewing Your Philanthropy Career: Ace the Interview Interviews for mid-level and senior fundraising positions increasingly rely on nationwide searches and online interviews, at least for initial contacts with job candidates.
What questions should you ask a nonprofit interviewer?
Your personality, values and work history are all traits that affect how you will function working in the nonprofit industry. These general interview questions help an interviewer learn more about your personality and interest in their company: Tell me a little about yourself. Tell me about any previous volunteer experiences you have.
What questions should you ask in a fundraising interview?
Hiring managers might ask general interview questions to learn how you like to work, what motivates you and what you might add to their organization. When you answer these questions, connect your responses to the job description or the organization’s goals. Here are 10 general questions you might hear in a fundraising interview:
What questions do interviewers ask a volunteer?
These general interview questions help an interviewer learn more about your personality and interest in their company: Tell me a little about yourself. Tell me about any previous volunteer experiences you have. What has made the biggest impact on your life?
