Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision related to fundraising. How did you handle it?

Fundraising Director Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

A difficult decision related to fundraising that I had to make was whether to accept a large donation from a company that had a controversial track record. I handled it by conducting research on the company's past actions and evaluating their impact on our organization's mission and values. I also consulted with senior management and the board of directors to gather their perspectives. Ultimately, I decided to decline the donation because it conflicted with our organization's principles. While it was a difficult decision, I believed it was the right one as it maintained our integrity and commitment to our mission.

A more solid answer

During my time as a Fundraising Director at my previous organization, I encountered a difficult decision related to fundraising. We received a generous offer from a pharmaceutical company that had a history of controversies surrounding their business practices. To handle this situation, I took several steps. First, I conducted thorough research on the company, examining their track record, values, and the impact of their actions. I also engaged in open discussions with our senior management team and the board of directors to gather diverse perspectives. We considered the potential benefits of accepting the donation, including the amount and the positive impact it could have on our programs. However, we ultimately decided to decline the offer due to ethical concerns. It was a difficult decision, but we believed it was important to prioritize our organization's values and maintain the trust of our supporters. Instead, we focused on strengthening relationships with other donors who aligned with our mission and values. This experience taught me the importance of making well-informed decisions that align with the organization's long-term goals and values.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides a more comprehensive response to the question. It includes specific details about the difficult decision, the steps taken to handle it, and the ultimate decision made. It addresses all the evaluation areas and demonstrates the candidate's ability to make strategic decisions, manage donor relationships, handle financial matters, exercise leadership, and act with ethics and integrity. However, it could benefit from additional examples and specific outcomes.

An exceptional answer

As the Fundraising Director at my previous organization, I encountered a challenging situation related to fundraising that required me to make a difficult decision. We had been working on a major fundraising campaign for several months, and as the deadline approached, our team fell short of our target. It was a critical moment, and I had to decide whether to extend the campaign or seek alternative sources of funding. To address this, I immediately convened a meeting with my team to analyze the campaign's performance and identify areas for improvement. We conducted a thorough review of our fundraising strategy, reaching out to key stakeholders, including major donors and board members, to gather their insights. Based on their feedback, we decided to extend the campaign by two weeks and launch a targeted outreach to major donors. This required rethinking our communication strategy and engaging in personalized conversations to secure additional donations. As a result of our efforts, we exceeded our fundraising goal by 20%, securing the necessary funds for our organization's projects. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and strategic thinking in making difficult fundraising decisions.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer goes above and beyond in providing a detailed and comprehensive response. It includes specific details about the challenging situation faced by the candidate, the steps taken to address it, and the successful outcome achieved. The answer demonstrates the candidate's ability to think strategically, collaborate with stakeholders, and achieve fundraising targets. It also highlights qualities such as adaptability and resilience, which are essential for success in a senior fundraising role. The answer effectively addresses all the evaluation areas and provides a strong example of the candidate's capabilities.

How to prepare for this question

Familiarize yourself with the organization's mission, values, and donor base to understand the context in which difficult fundraising decisions may arise.
Reflect on past experiences where you had to make challenging fundraising decisions and think about the strategies you used to handle those situations.
Consider the ethical aspects of fundraising and how you prioritize the organization's principles and values in decision-making.
Practice describing your decision-making process and the rationale behind difficult fundraising decisions, including the steps you took to gather input and reach a final decision.
Be prepared to discuss the outcomes of difficult fundraising decisions and the lessons you learned from those experiences.

What interviewers are evaluating

Strategic planning and execution
Donor and sponsor relationship management
Financial management and reporting
Leadership and team management
Ethics and integrity