Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards Winner Q-and-A: Margaux Pagán

In February, we here at FundRaising Success announced the winners of the 2011 Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards. Throughout the year, FS will publish interviews with the winners in the Today in Fundraising e-newsletter. Up first, Fundraising Star Margaux Pagán, manager of phone and mobile marketing at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

Fundraising Success: Describe your role at IFCJ.
Margaux Pagán: My previous role at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was executive assistant to the VP of development, where I oversaw all of IFCJ's outbound telemarketing campaigns. We ended 2010 with nearly $1.2 million raised and 22,000 donors reactivated — an increase of over 109 percent in revenue and 191 percent in donors reactivated over 2009.

I've since been promoted to manager of phone and mobile marketing (very exciting!). In my current role, I am restructuring our outbound telemarketing program to include more focus on current and lapsed donor reactivation, monthly sustainer, new donor conversion, and renewal campaigns. I am also focusing on mobile marketing where we have introduced QR codes on various outbound communications pieces such as our direct-mail newsletter and products. In the near future, plans include working with our Web team to build a mobile-friendly site, building a mobile list for SMS campaigns and the first launch of a text-to-give campaign.

FS: What is your philosophy toward fundraising?
MP: If you don't ask, you won't receive! This philosophy holds true for both internal and external communications. The main idea of fundraising, in my eyes, is no one will know there is a need until you tell them, and only then will you be able to bring them into your cause. We as people want to give — it makes us feel good and keeps the positive energy flowing.

FS: How do you see yourself growing professionally in the next few years?
MP: Do you mind extending your story a few pages? I'm kidding. I'm shooting for the moon. My career is very personal to me. I uprooted myself to Chicago from Florida so I could build a career in fundraising. In the next few years, when I become eligible, I plan to obtain a CFRE to further build upon my fundraising experience and knowledge. I most definitely see mobile marketing taking off and becoming more of fundraising vehicle. Also, I hope to bring the spotlight back to outbound telemarketing as a surefire way to reactivate donors. All in all, I am very hopeful for my professional future in fundraising — there's never a dull moment!