Mastering the Art of Managing Up: Tips for Fundraising Professionals

Fundraising professionals play a crucial role in ensuring the success of nonprofit organisations. However, achieving goals often requires collaboration with leadership, board members, and supervisors who may not always have the same perspective or priorities. Managing up—the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with those in leadership—is an essential skill for fundraising staff. Here are actionable strategies to help you manage up with confidence and finesse.

1. Understand Your Leader’s Goals and Priorities

To manage up effectively, start by understanding what matters most to your supervisor or leadership:

• Ask Questions: Schedule one-on-one meetings to gain clarity on their goals, challenges, and expectations.
• Align Your Work: Demonstrate how your efforts in fundraising align with broader organisational objectives.
• Be Proactive: Anticipate their needs and provide solutions before challenges arise.

By aligning your priorities with theirs, you show that you’re working toward a shared vision.

2. Communicate Effectively

Clear and consistent communication is key when managing up. Consider the following tactics:

• Tailor Your Communication Style: Adapt to how your supervisor prefers to receive information—whether it’s through detailed reports, brief updates, or regular meetings.
• Provide Updates: Share progress on fundraising initiatives, upcoming events, and donor engagement strategies regularly.
• Be Concise and Solution-Oriented: Present problems with potential solutions to demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.

Effective communication builds trust and ensures everyone is on the same page.

3. Share Data and Insights

Leadership often relies on data to make informed decisions. Make it a habit to:

• Present Metrics: Use KPIs such as donor retention rates, average gift sizes, and campaign progress to illustrate your impact.
• Highlight Trends: Share insights on donor behaviour, market conditions, and emerging opportunities.
• Tell Stories: Combine data with compelling stories about the people or communities impacted by the organisation’s work.

Providing data-backed insights reinforces your expertise and keeps leadership informed.

4. Build Relationships

Strong relationships with leadership are essential for effective collaboration. Focus on:

• Establishing Trust: Demonstrate reliability by following through on commitments.
• Understanding Their Perspective: Show empathy by considering the challenges they face in their role.
• Creating Opportunities for Engagement: Invite leaders to donor events or meetings to help them connect with supporters directly.

A strong rapport makes it easier to advocate for your ideas and needs.

5. Anticipate Challenges and Provide Solutions

Fundraising comes with its own set of challenges, from donor fatigue to economic downturns. Be proactive by:

• Identifying Risks Early: Highlight potential challenges before they become problems.
• Proposing Solutions: Suggest actionable steps to address issues, such as diversifying funding streams or launching new campaigns.
• Staying Flexible: Be open to adjusting strategies based on leadership’s input or changing circumstances.

Leaders will appreciate your foresight and problem-solving mindset.

6. Advocate for Resources

Fundraising success often depends on having the right resources. To make a compelling case:

• Connect Needs to Goals: Explain how additional staff, technology, or training will directly contribute to achieving organisational objectives.
• Present a Cost-Benefit Analysis: Highlight the return on investment for proposed resources.
• Be Persistent: If immediate approval isn’t possible, revisit the conversation with updated information or alternative solutions.

Advocating effectively ensures you have the tools you need to succeed.

7. Provide Constructive Feedback

Managing up isn’t just about taking direction—it also involves providing valuable feedback to leadership. Keep in mind:

• Choose the Right Time and Setting: Offer feedback in private, during one-on-one meetings, or at a time when leadership is open to discussion.
• Be Respectful and Specific: Focus on behaviors or decisions, not personalities, and provide concrete examples.
• Offer Solutions: Pair feedback with actionable suggestions for improvement.

Constructive feedback can help leadership better support the fundraising team and the organisation as a whole.

8. Celebrate Success Together

Recognising wins—both big and small—strengthens morale and reinforces the importance of collaboration. Be sure to:

• Acknowledge Leadership’s Role: Highlight how their support contributed to your team’s success.
• Share Credit: Celebrate wins as a team to foster a sense of shared achievement.
• Document Results: Use success stories to build confidence in your strategies and secure future buy-in.

Celebrating success creates a positive feedback loop that motivates everyone to strive for greater accomplishments.

Conclusion

Managing up is a vital skill for fundraising professionals who want to drive results and build strong, collaborative relationships with leadership. By aligning priorities, communicating effectively, and demonstrating initiative, you can ensure that your efforts are recognised, supported, and amplified. In doing so, you’ll not only enhance your own success but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of your organisation.