December 18, 2002 | Read Time: 1 minute
Q. I have worked in fund raising for six years, building up experience at the associate-director level. I feel ready to look for director’s positions. But I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, although I’m currently enrolled in college. Should I bother responding to ads that request candidates with diplomas?
A. Many fund raisers and charity managers agree that people who hire development directors usually assume that applicants have completed college, even though the most important qualification is experience. Vaneeda Bennett, the national vice president of the development division of the American Diabetes Association, in Alexandria, Va., says that in her eight years with the charity she has never encountered a fund-raising candidate who did not have a bachelor’s degree. “But experience does count,” she says, “and if you have a demonstrated track record with clear results, I look at that first, before I even look at the education.”
In some specific fields, however, a college education may be far less important than in others. While college or university development offices will always require the completed degree, some community organizations, particularly those in the youth- or social-services fields, may be more amenable to hiring someone who hasn’t yet received a diploma, says John Lubbe, vice president of fund development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, in Philadelphia. Although most fund directors at local organizations do have one or more degrees, he says, “Some of these organizations are really hard-strapped for qualified, capable fund raisers, and might value your experience.” The pay will be lower at those charities, Mr. Lubbe notes, but a director-level job will provide tremendous opportunities for you to gain experience and advance your career.
