very much enjoyed the two times she participated in volunteer fund-
raising activities and would like to be paid to do that for an organiza-
tion that has a cause to which she can relate.
Gwen is afraid that that she will have difficulty getting a “paid”job
at a professional level, since she hasn’t been paid for anything since her
part-time jobs in college. Yet she knows she has talents and has been
able to achieve a lot in her volunteer work. She feels she could excel as
a professional fund-raiser and decides to assemble a Can-Do Portfolio
to demonstrate this capability.
Through a friend, she has gotten an interview for a fund-raising
job with For the Kids, a small, nonprofit organization that provides free
books, science kits, and other learning materials for needy children.TARGETED JOB
Prior to her job interview, Gwen contacted For the Kids to get a job de-
scription and learned that this fund-raising position includes the fol-
lowing responsibilities:Organize and plan fund-raising programs for the organization, and
make contact with individuals or establishments to solicit funds or
in-kind gifts.
Gather and evaluate information about potential contributors to de-
velop a mailing or contact list and to plan sales approaches.
Prepare fund-raising brochures for mail-solicitation programs.
Contact potential contributors and persuade them to contribute
funds or in-kind gifts by explaining the purpose and benefits of the
fund-raising program.
Receive pledges or funds from contributors. Record expenses incurred
and contributions received.
Write letters of appreciation for donations.
Act as an ambassador for the organization.
Design and implement fund-raising events. Oversee event details
from inception to completion. Coordinate public relations for the
events.
Coordinate the sale of emblems or other tokens of the organization
represented.
Organize and train volunteers and plan social functions to raise
funds.DESIRED P.E.A.K.S.
Before assembling a targeted portfolio to bring to her job interview,
Gwen showed the above list of responsibilities to a professional fund-
raiser she knew at Wishes and Dreams, where she has been a volun-
teer. She learned that the following P.E.A.K.S. would be considered
highly desirable in a candidate for this position:176 Part II: Examples of Targeted Portfolios