Opinion: Looking for a Career in Development in 2011? Good Choice and Good Luck!
In my opinion, the profession needs to do better promoting nonprofit career development and developing career paths for those who want to make fundraising a lifelong career. I love this profession and look forward to watching the next generation promote the ideals of philanthropy. For stability and long-term commitment to take hold, entry-level, midlevel and senior professionals need continuous education regarding career recruitment, retention, promotion and acceptance of career development ideas. Professionals need to remain in place longer, and both the institution and development professional need to make a long-term commitment to support each other. In addition, the issue of "transitions" needs to be addressed as many lack continuity.
Paulette Maehara, recently retired president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, notes that fundraising professionals make a life by helping others to give — by educating and involving them in the philanthropic process. Although not the stuff of a child's dreams, she adds, fundraising does help create the dreams of our society and our world. Fundraising is an exciting, fulfilling and noble profession.
Looking for a career in development in 2011? Good choice and good luck!
Duke Haddad is president of Duke Haddad & Associates.
- Companies:
- Association of Fundraising Professionals
Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.
