When my girls joined Girl Scouts, I didn’t realize that I was also signing up… to become a cookie saleswoman! There are lots of benefits to having the girls be their own “Cookie CEO” as this Confessions of Cookie Mom blog shares. And while the goal is to have my daughter’s do most of the selling, I help in more ways than one. Loading boxes of cookies to and from my car, delivering them to cookie buyers, double checking the financial records, encouraging my daughters when they get discouraged about a slow sales day, and much more.
What’s your mom fundraising experience? Bake sales? Christmas wrapping paper? Spring flowers? Mulch? Cookie dough? Boy Scout popcorn? Yard sales?
Whatever your experience, it’s important to know that fundraising isn't just about school bake sales and community events — it's a valuable skill set that seamlessly translates into numerous job roles.
Professional Fields Seeking Fundraising Experience
If you are looking to return to paid work after a career pause, positioning the skills you’ve developed through parenthood will elevate you amidst the competition. Consider these fields and how each may be looking for exactly what you have to offer:
Nonprofits
Your expertise in fundraising for churches, schools, and community organizations positions you perfectly for roles in nonprofit development. You've mastered the art of mobilizing resources and engaging donors while also being resourceful with a small budget. This makes you a valuable asset for organizations looking to raise funds for their causes.
Corporate Social Responsibility
As a mom, you often engage in fundraising activities to support causes that align with your values and benefit your children's school, community, or other organizations. Similarly, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives are driven by a company's commitment to social and environmental issues that align with its values and purpose. Your experience in fundraising for causes close to your heart positions you well to understand and contribute to a company's CSR efforts.
Event Coordination
Fundraising and event planning go hand in hand, and as a parent, there’s no doubt that you've orchestrated countless memorable events, from bake sales to lemonade stands and you may have been involved in bigger events like the school gala or talent show! Your talent for coordinating logistics and rallying volunteers (your partner and children count!) positions you well for careers in event coordination.
Sales and Business Development
Fundraising and sales share common core principles—relationship-building, effective communication, and the ability to inspire action. Your experience as a mom fundraiser has sharpened your skills in persuasion, cultivating relationships, and closing deals… “how many girl scout boxes should I put you down for?” These qualities make you an excellent candidate for sales and business development roles. Remember, you're not merely selling cookies or raffle tickets; you're selling ideas, solutions, and opportunities!
Marketing and Communications
In today's competitive business landscape, businesses rely on skilled marketing and communications professionals to create compelling campaigns and engage their target audience. As a mom fundraiser, you've demonstrated your ability to craft persuasive messages, leverage social media, and engage a variety of people in your community. You’ll easily be able to help brands build meaningful connections with their customers.
Other Mom Transferable Skills
Fundraising is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mom transferable skills that are valuable in the workplace. Budgeting, teamwork, relationships building, research and problem solving, adaptability and agility, strategic thinking, communication, motivation, and organization are just a few more to consider.
For even more mom skills that transfer to the workplace, click here.
Ready to leverage your mom transferable skills and get back to paid work? Contact me today to set up a free consultation. Let's strategically position your fundraising experience (and more!) as a valuable asset that will impress employers during interviews and make your resume shine.
