Just for Fun: What's your social impact origin story?

Crystal Bruce · October 2024

Thank you to Lauren Henderson for inspiring this question! What is your social impact origin story? What lead you to the role that you are in or got you started with your first organization? Share away!

Rachel Cavalier · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce
After I completed my Masters in Religion, Politics and Conflict Resolution, I decided that for work I wanted to do something that actively helped people so I applied to a whole host of different charities for various roles that I thought I could have a go at and landed at my current organisation as a “database assistant” having previously been a legal cashier.

While I knew about Gift Aid, JustGiving and how supporters made donations from having done those things personally, I knew NOTHING about anything else to do with fundraising or fundraising databases. Luckily I've also got a software engineering degree and had previously been a legal cashier at a law firm, so I picked things up very quickly

Christine Robertson · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I needed a PT job while I was in school…an organization hired me for a PT RE role with no experience whatsoever. My whole career trajectory turned upside down and I wouldn't change it for the world!

Dan Snyder · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I don't necessarily think my social good origin story starts with my job, but rather growing up in the small town where I now reside. I was always raising money for something (whether a sports team or a church youth event) and there were so many people who were so generous it really had a major impact on my life. The one story that sticks out was from participating in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine. At the time, in addition to all the swag you could earn for fundraising, some of the top fundraisers had a chance to go on a trip to Africa to see the impact of the funds we raised. Well, little me from my small town with more cows than people, never really thought I had a chance, but one year I was a finalist (one of 10) for the trip. While I didn't get selected in the end, as I think back on that experience it embodies the generosity of the people in my hometown and has been an inspiration and guiding principal in my life.

How did I end up at my job? Well after my undergrad experience and working as an Events Coordinator in my alma mater's Admissions office I always knew I wanted to work in higher ed. After my Masters and moving back to the area where I grew up, I took the first higher ed job offered to me as an Advancement Services Coordinator at Bennington College. I wasn't sure I would like fundraising, but 13+ years later I am the Director of Advancement Services at Bennington and love the work I do and the other social gooders I meet along the way.

Keith Wilson · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce
I can't wait to read everyone's stories!! This is a cool challenge.

My origin story started as a child hearing stories of exotic journeys to foreign countries from missionaries at my church either at Vacation Bible School or summer youth camps. I thought how cool it would be to travel to those countries and experience other cultures. Fast forward to the year 2000, and I was given an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya but had to raise money to fund the trip. That experience led me to join the faith-based organization that led the trip. While working at that organization, we migrated to Raiser's Edge, Financial Edge, and NetCommunity. I became the RE database manager and the rest is history shall we say? I also had the opportunity to travel to 6 other countries on 4 continents while serving in that role, all the while raising my own funds for the experience.

Before landing my current role, I did a brief stint at a Hospital Foundation which introduced me to RE-NXT. It was really interesting because I had no idea what NXT was but soon learned it wasn't much of anything…in 2016! ?

I am back in the Faith-based vertical and enjoying the best job with the best peeps! While I don't get to travel to exotic countries, I do get to travel to #BBCon and that can be just as wild! ?

Lauren Henderson · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I should probably respond since it was my idea! (And I love the badge, BTW!)

As a kid, Captain Planet and the Planeteers was my favorite TV show. I had a blessed rural childhood spent in woods, wilds and waters. I adopted a whale in high school. I gave to nonprofit organizations in college which gave me insight into how fundraising/development worked. I moved out west after college and went to the local environmental nonprofit to see if they had any volunteer opportunities- turns out they had a job opening! When the Membership Manager position opened up, they offered me the opportunity to take it which I did. So began my journey with blackbaud and Raiser's Edge, and a career that has taken me (so far!) to 4 states and experience in the environmental, foundation, religious and PK-12 independent education spaces.

Crystal Bruce · October 2024

@Lauren Henderson thank you for the idea! I love reading these stories.

M Love-Tinker, MBA, bCRE-Pro · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

I applied to a very expensive MDiv program. I was accepted into the program but no way I could afford the tuition without the scholarship (I was a finalist but did not get selected). The minister that was counseling the newly accepted students told me to go out and just help people. So that is what I did. I volunteered and interned for so many orgs, which eventually led to full-time roles. I discovered quite by chance that I had an orderly brain, so when the finance intern at one organization said he was not entering gifts and contact information into Raiser's Edge, someone asked me to do it!

Long story short, I started learning a bit of everyone's roles at NPOs and completed my MBA with purpose of bring order to the sometimes chaotic operations, environments, and donor data information systems. NOW you guys are stuck with me asking & answering lots of questions everyday all day at Blackbaud!

Dawn Alonso · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

There I was looking for a way out of a yucky job as Bookkeeper at an HVAC company which I despised due to one person who seemed to be a consistantly unhappy person. As I searched the job boards again, I had left a previous position only three months earlier, I saw a posting for Williamson College of the Trades hiring a Bookkeeper. Since it was right up the road from my house, hello 10 minute communte, I applied. I thought I was only applying for a job.

As I drove onto campus for my interview I was awed by the beatuy. Despite it being 10 minutes up the road, I knew nothing about Williamson, except that it was a trade college and was free as the name used to mention. My research had informed me of the mission and core values, so I thought I was prepared for what was laid out before me. When I entered the driveway, the security guard let me in with a smile and wished me luck. Wow, is everyone this friendly here?? As I met Greg and Joy who were interviewing me, again I was greeted warmly and made comfortable, almost as if coming home. We talked, a lot. As we got around to the duties Greg mentioned financial aid, uh-oh, I've never done that. Somehow, maybe because Joy and I had hit it off so famously and I completely sold him on the fact that I would learn everything I could about financial aid before the next academic year, I was offered the job.

In August when I started, I was completely blown away once again at how friendly everyone was, it truly was a family enviroment. Joy and I were busily wrapping up the yearly audit and preparing for the students return to campus in a few short weeks. As time wore on, I began to know more faces. The mission was amazing, the people were amazing; I am retiring from here!

As time wore on, I had evolved the position. I had fallen in love with my calling of helping the guys figure out financial issues with their account and helping them with life in general. I started having guys come to me when they got job offers so that I could show them how to properly evaluate different offers and figure out what it best for them, how to look at health plans, how to open a bank account, how to get and use credit wisely; what we started calling life hacks. The life skills that they were not getting at home that were crucial to their life after Williamson, when they would be "#adulting." What started out as a Bookkeeper position has turned into so much more than the decsription.

Recently I have moved several states away from Williamson, I have been working remotely. I miss seeing our guys everyday, however they call when they have issues that they need to talk. Just yesterday I was helping one of them and he asked our financial aid director, why I had to leave and she told them the situation. He said he wished I could keep working remotely, because I care. And that is one of the best compliments that I have ever gottend in my entire life. The fact that this young man knew I cared about him and how he was learning to make his way in the world, meant everything to me.

Adrienne Baumann · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I worked in group sales for a large hotel collection, very much for profit, where, similar to @Dawn Alonso's experience, there was one toxic person in the department who made it miserable for everyone else. At the same time, I also volunteered for a couple of non-profit organizations, one of which recruited me when a position opened up. In fact, the person who recommended me for the open position was a former colleague who also left the hotel because of the toxic person

I jumped at the chance to make a career in the non-profit sector and never looked back. That was 18 years ago!

Jennifer Wuchner · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

So, in 2001 I left my job as a preschool teacher to try to get a job that was based around the school year so I could take care of my children during the summer. I came to the realization that taking care of other people's children was not really my thing. I had no intention of taking a year-round job but a friend of mine at a summer choir rehearsal mentioned that they needed a part time bookkeeper at Evansville Habitat. I had in the past helped out on some houses and provided food for the blitz and cash for houses funded by my church but never thought about working at Habitat. I did in fact have a four-year degree in accounting so maybe I could put that to use. So low and behold I fixed up my resume and got an interview and was hired within a week for Evansville Habitat's bookkeeper position. I was later promoted to full time taking on the role of Office Manager/ Bookkeeper and later took the position of Finance Director. Since I started at Evansville Habitat, we have built 439 homes (a total of 608 homes) in Vanderburgh and Posey County in southern Indiana. We have helped over 1500 people including adults and children move into homes. We are a top 45 affiliate in the Habitat world and our highest ranking in that 45 has been #12 in the nation. We built a 55-home subdivision for a group of tornado survivors and a mini subdivision of 14 houses near our office when a Catholic church and school were torn down. We have received NMTC money – two transactions so far and another starting in December. We recently received $2,000,000 in ARPA money to build more homes. Our state recently enacted a housing tax credit where if you donate to Habitat of Indiana, you can receive a 50% state tax credit on your Indiana tax return up to $10,000 in credit for the 2024 year. You can designate your gift to our affiliate, and we get the cash.

All of these things are a magnificent reason to work here at Evansville Habitat. We are small, (14 employees in the office and 6 at the restore) but we are mighty. We are able to make great things happen to help with the housing crisis in the US. It is so rewarding to watch someone work, grow and achieve in our program and finally be able to house their family in safe, decent affordable house that they can in turn make into a home. Some of them are also first-generation home buyers which is a really big deal!!

And we have been with Blackbaud the entire time I have been here at Habitat! Am I glad I was hired and have worked with this tremendous organization-- you bet! Am I ready to retire-- you bet! I am looking forward to passing the baton to someone else and popping my head in and helping out with special projects. One year more!!!

Austen Brown · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce - After college, I moved out west and was trying to figure out what to do for work. Luckily, a local kids camp brought me on as a Development Assistant to support their fundraising team. It quickly became clear that I had a knack for database clean-up, and when their DBA left a few months later, I stepped into the role - and the rest is history! I'm so grateful I stumbled upon that job; they took a chance on me, and I got to learn RE NXT.

My non-profit DBA experience is primarily in kids camps. After that first camp out west I worked for a sister camp on the east coast. I made the leap to consulting a few years ago, and now I have the pleasure of helping many orgs rather than just one.

Joan Perry · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce what a great idea - Thank you @Lauren Hendershot for the idea!

During college, my work study role was working for the University's large student volunteer organization - which used Lotus 1-2-3 (not to date myself) to help manage volunteers, program coordinators. Who knew what foreshadowing this would be.

After college, I worked for a Business Research firm in Washington DC and was looking for a more marketing related role and moved the the Blood Services program of the American Red Cross. My boss, when I gave notice, warned me about too much time in the nonprofit world - “they don't worry about money and the for-profit world will think you don't either” (again a fallacy proven wrong over and over again).

When I returned to the Philadelphia area, I volunteered at my HS alma mater for my reunion. In turn I helped the office which used a custom C++ database. Soon that volunteer position became full-time and I helped us move to Raiser's Edge 6 (I believe the 1st version that was on Windows) and eventually RE7. I have continued with a variety of nonprofits since then…nearly all on Blackbaud.

I learned some people will give blood before money, some money before blood, some will give both and yet others will give neither.

This July will be 30 (??) years since starting with Raiser's Edge. I love to see the names of people I remember talking to in Support (or more likely when cases were escalated) that have move up the levels of management of Blackbaud.

Christopher Horn · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

I've always been close to non-profits and religious organizations and volunteering, between being a pastor's kid and a Boy Scout. Always was taught that you should try to use your skills and gifts to help others. Volunteered in college with various programs, including a campus ministry group, Greek tutoring, the Humane Society, and the college's preschool.

Took a teaching job at a small private school out of college for a couple years. 5th grade homeroom, plus 3rd through 8th Latin. Loved many aspects of it. Working with students and watching them think through ideas and learn was wonderful. And since I was single, I was able to live pretty spartan for a while and make it work. But it already would have been an all consuming job under the best circumstances: I was working from 7:30am to 9:30pm most days, and working weekends. And this was 2019-2021, so not ideal conditions. Not only was I burning out, I also got married in 2021 and wanted something more stable with more career progression.

So I started looking for work. Found that the job market is rough and getting through the algorithms to get an interview takes significant numbers of applications. Figured out that non-profits are more likely to get back to you with at least an interview, especially smaller ones, because they still are doing hiring in-house. A connection opened up for a DBA position with a Christian translation and publication non-profit whose resources I was familiar with from spending a couple of years in Papua New Guinea during high school. They were willing to train me in Raiser's Edge, and I had intermediate computer literacy from other experience.

It's worked out well. It's a good office, and I enjoy having a consistent schedule. Learning Raiser's Edge wasn't that difficult. And I've observed for a while from being near non-profits how important it is for the support work and record-keeping to be done well if the rest of the mission is going to happen. So if what needs doing is the unglamorous paperwork and reporting, I don't mind doing that.

Claire Levin · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce
A chance encounter at a nail salon introduced me to the world of nonprofit fundraising back in 2011. I landed in my current role because my internship supervisor in college took a new position and was promoting opportunities with his new employer on linkedin. Almost 10 years later, we ended up being teammates again.

Cynthia Amundson · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce a move from Idaho to Missouri and a listing on Indeed

Christine Cooke · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I've been working in the education and nonprofits for most of my working life. A previous manager reached out and asked if I'd be interested in jumping over the the current school she was at. I always like working with her and the school's mission is great so here we are! Starting on my 12th year this week.

Ashley Crosby · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I always loved history so I got a summer job working at the local museum in my very small town. From there, I decided that I wanted to study history in college and eventually go on to work in museums, so I knew that I would probably always be involved in non-profits somehow. I got a master's degree in museum studies, did an incredible internship abroad, and got a lot of ideas about all of the cool objects I'd get to work with and stories I'd get to tell in my interesting job at some world-renowned museum. As it turns out, the museum world is not the most job-rich, or the easiest to break into, especially because I ended up meeting my husband on Twitter (!) and moving to the US. Part of the immigration journey involves not being able to work for awhile so I didn't get to be too picky when I eventually was able to find something and start, but it was still a non-profit. I always wanted to work in a dark basement with a neat collection but ended up in a very public facing role, which burnt me out pretty quickly. After 4 years, I transitioned into a fundraising role (which I'd never done before) when a coworker's brother left his position and a spot opened up. I've been learning the ropes ever since! Even though I miss the museum world, I definitely find meaning in this work because I know I can help the people my organization serves. Even if I wasn't right about specifics of the trajectory of my career, I was right about the non-profit part!

Carlene Johnson · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce
I was working at New Bedford Women's Center as an intern and when my internship wrapped up they needed someone to help with some data entry into their (homegrown) fundraising database.

At the same time I was working for Lutheran Social Services of New England in their pregnant and parenting teens program. LSSNE had a job posting for a development associate at their main office. The job description read like it was written for me! I remember them talking about RE in the interview and they explained it was not Razor's Edge but Raiser's Edge.

I got the job - it was in 1996 and they were using the DOS version of RE. How things have changed with the software since then!

Amy Barker · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

After finishing my coursework for my degree in Urban and Applied Anthropology at City College of New York in 1999/2000, I landed my first “real” job at The Rainforest Foundation US, and indigenous rights organization founded by Sting. They were moving from FileMaker Pro to Raiser's Edge and needed someone to manage the RE.

They sent me to Charleston for a week of Boot Camp. It was my first trip away from my daughter who was about 6 at the time.

So, ever since then every job I have gotten was because of and building on those initial RE skills. It was a WILD place to work a first nonprofit job, as the database was absolutely star studded, event goodie bags were bonkers, the salary was nice, and the events themselves were a LOT! I didn't get to interact with Sting much, as most of his focus was with the umbrella org of the Rainforest Foundation but I got to meet him a few times.

Kimberly Pierce · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce During college, I worked at a restaurant as a server and as a data entry associate for a nonprofit organization. At the time, Blackbaud was a start-up based in New York and sent representatives to the worksite to install the DOS software and to train me. Yes, DOS! Yes, onsite training! While earning my bachelor's and master's degrees, I became the annual giving manager and then the executive director. I have served two non-profit organizations subsequently and am now in my 37th year of using Blackbaud products and adapting to the many changes. I cannot imagine working anywhere other than the nonprofit sector.

JoAnn Strommen · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce Started at the YMCA as youth program director. Loved working with kids and had camping, sport, scholarship and youth center programs.

Was rehired as capital campaign secretary for a building expansion. Was to be a 9-month position but became 24 years of helping to raise money for youth scholarships to the YMCA and multiple capital campaigns to build an even greater YMCA facility.

My experience using RE led to current position with South Dakota Mines. Now am behind the scenes supporting development team to raise funds for scholarships, buildings and campus departments.

Vicky Lopuchowycz · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

I work at the Catholic high school that my siblings and I all attended. I was the youngest of 5 to graduate and it's always held a special place in my life and heart. I'm currently the Registrar but am active with our Mission & Ministry department, doing retreats and other activities with the students. I am in year 15 now and love that the kids just stop in to say “Hi” and grab a piece of candy throughout the day!

Before that, right after grad school, I worked for The Arc of Monroe County. They provide a variety of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was amazing to work with the individuals and see how they were able to let their special talents and skills shine into our community.

In college, I worked at a YMCA day camp. Other than a couple retail part-time jobs, I don’t know work outside the non-profit world. Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve met so many wonderful people and learned so much about myself and others – it’s been an invaluable experience.

Jordyn Kieft · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce I have always been interested in advocacy, so when I graduated, I looked for roles that would allow me to combine my passion for advocacy along with my degree in English. The organization I ended up with has many locations across the nation, including one in my hometown, and I really believe in their mission of helping foster youth. So, I applied to be their admin assistant, and I got the job!

Rachel Kauer · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

I had worked at several for profit companies in Healthcare and had unfortunately witnessed at each some particularly predatory practices around billing and patients. I didn't like feeling like I was supporting practices I didn't agree with by being employed at those kinds of places. It was always important to me to feel like I was helping people with my work and I didn't feel I was helping anyone anymore. I became increasingly aware that non-profits would be very different, and started to look for one than impacted my community. I ended up interviewing at a local Hospice Charity - who had unbeknownst to me (until I got to the building site) had taken care of two of my grandparents. The building was full of quotes painted on the walls and I came across one by M.J. Barrie which I had used in my reading at my Grandfather's funeral. It kind of cemented for me that I had been down a long road and I almost felt like I was being called there. While I am no longer with that particular charity today, (and still feel like the road is long) it was the beginning of my non-profit journey and eventually what led me from clinical support to fundraising.

Tatiana Tuccio · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

During college, I always imagined myself going into international development and was able to partner and intern for local organizations that had a global mission. I really enjoyed the non profit world after these experiences. Graduating with student loans brought me to think about working in my community rather than deffering my loans to go join the Peace Corp or accept a international resrearch position with low pay. This lead me into Healthcare Philanthropy which I really enjoy.

Irene Hui · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce Came across a listing on a job board in college and I've been in nonprofits ever since. It's been truly rewarding.

Dan Snyder · October 2024

@Lauren Henderson:
@Crystal Bruce I should probably respond since it was my idea! (And I love the badge, BTW!)
As a kid, Captain Planet and the Planeteers was my favorite TV show. I had a blessed rural childhood spent in woods, wilds and waters. I adopted a whale in high school. I gave to nonprofit organizations in college which gave me insight into how fundraising/development worked. I moved out west after college and went to the local environmental nonprofit to see if they had any volunteer opportunities- turns out they had a job opening! When the Membership Manager position opened up, they offered me the opportunity to take it which I did. So began my journey with blackbaud and Raiser's Edge, and a career that has taken me (so far!) to 4 states and experience in the environmental, foundation, religious and PK-12 independent education spaces.

Captain Planet, he's a hero, gonna take pollution down to zero! Loved that show too.

Katie Farkas · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce

My social impact origin story begins with a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and the transformative potential it has for individuals and communities. Growing up, I was fortunate to have mentors who recognized my potential and encouraged my creative pursuits, which inspired me to dedicate my career to uplifting students and emerging professionals. My first role at a local organization allowed me to work directly with young people, providing them with resources, guidance, and opportunities to develop their skills.

Throughout my journey, I've witnessed firsthand how access to education and mentorship can change lives. This experience fueled my passion for diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI). I realized that many students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, face systemic barriers that hinder their ability to succeed. Determined to make a difference, I focused on creating inclusive programs and initiatives that empower individuals to thrive regardless of their circumstances.

Now, in my current role, I continue to advocate for DEAI, ensuring that our programs not only support the professional development of emerging talents but also actively address the inequities that exist within our communities. My commitment to this mission is unwavering, as I believe that when we uplift those who are often overlooked, we create a richer, more vibrant society for everyone.

Carrie Powell · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce, my current position started with an invitation to participate in a fantasy football league! I was working for the Newman Center (Catholic student center) serving Arizona State University, and one of the Crosier priests (the religious order I now work for) joined our staff. That fall, he invited some students and staff to join their football league. I didn't care as much about football as I was interested in learning about the Crosiers, so I convinced my husband that we should have a team.

On draft night, we felt so welcomed by this group that a few months later, my husband applied to work for them in communications. A couple of years later, we had the opportunity to join them in the Netherlands for their 800th anniversary celebration. It was inspiring to see how this relatively small group has lasted for 800 years and continues to serve those in need around them in whatever ways they can. Soon after we returned from that trip, they had another opening on the staff, and I was hired. That was 13.5 years ago. (My husband and I worked together for about 1.5 years, and then he left to work for a foundation.)

Our staff is relatively small – and has gotten smaller since I started – but people tend to stay for the long term. We have one employee who's worked for them for 40 years, another more than 20, me approaching 14, and a few at 12+. We find meaning in our work because we can take care of the administrative items, allowing them to have more time to directly serve those in need.

Lena Lieb · October 2024

@Crystal Bruce While pursuing my BS degree and working in a technical field, I witnessed widespread burnout. Then, a job posting on a university board opened my eyes to the nonprofit sector. Seeing the genuine passion and job satisfaction of nonprofit professionals resonated with me. Landing that first role changed the trajectory of my career, leading me to where I am today.

Just for Fun: What's your social impact origin story?

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