AFP Member Spotlight: Melanie Vadzemnieks, CFRE
AFP member spotlights are a recurring series of interviews with AFP members, highlighting the unique individuals and career paths that exist within the fundraising profession. If you would like to see yourself or a colleague featured, submit your profile here.
In this member spotlight we interviewed Melanie Vadzemnieks, CFRE, development director at Erie Art Museum. She shared with us her innovative take on fundraising events and how being involved with AFP is helping her to work through shared industry challenges, such as a decline in corporate support for arts organizations.
Q: How did you start your career in the fundraising profession, and what led you there?
A: I was hired by my alma mater, Gannon University, in Erie, PA to do alumni relations. Just a few months into my time there, the director of corporate & foundation relations role became available, and I was asked if I was interested. It involved a pay raise, and I enjoy writing, so I applied, was selected, and started a multi-year career in different facets of university advancement and small-shop fundraising. I've never looked back and recently achieved my CFRE certification.
Q: When and why did you decide to become an AFP member?
A: During the 1990's I joined a newly formed group of individuals who were the "Development Directors of Erie." That group eventually became a chapter of NSFRE and then an AFP chapter. I've been a continuous member since 2022 and serve as the VP of education for my chapter.
Q: How has being an AFP member benefited you in your career?
A: I'm a huge proponent of continuing education and learning from your peers. I love our chapter monthly morning kickstart meetings where members and non-members gather to discuss current challenges and/or stories. We also have monthly Lunch & Learn sessions, which almost always spur new ideas and innovative solutions. Finally, I was fortunate to be selected by my chapter to be an AFP Chamberlain Scholar at AFP ICON 2024 in Toronto. I still listen to sessions online. ICON is an incredible source of information and inspiration.
Q: Are you doing anything innovative at your organization (or a past organization) that you think other fundraisers could benefit from?
A: I enjoy incorporating an element of surprise into our special events and, when appropriate, donor relations materials. I've tried to approach events from an attendee's point of view—how can we make it different from the year before and avoid becoming stale? For example, at Gannon University, I moved the annual donor appreciation dinner to various places around campus rather than the usual chicken dinner in the ballroom. We used the library, where I had administration personnel give thank-you messages as literary characters. Another time, we used a brand new technology building and included tours; and another venue was the recreation center, and guests were invited to dress according to their favorite sports teams. I always aimed to have people receive our invitation and think, "Oh, this is always fun. I want to attend."
Another example is when we needed to thank a high-level donor for a substantial gift, but it was during COVID-19 and an in-person affair was not possible. We decided to do a special Zoom tribute but limited the attendance to just 25 squares, which is the total amount on one screen. That way, all of the guests would be visible at all times. We withheld the guest list from the donor so that he was pleasantly surprised as each person popped up on the screen. And we sent everyone a special wine glass for a toast during our tribute. It went off well, and the donor was appropriately thanked.
Seeing the delight on a donor's face when they realize they are seen and understood is one of the most fun parts of fundraising.
Q: What is your favorite word? (only one word) How has this word influenced or inspired your career?
A: Compassion is my favorite word. Everyone has a circumstance in their life that they wish didn't exist. Being compassionate towards others works in any fundraising venue. Being genuinely interested/compassionate helps form a bond with my donors.
Q: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I successfully orchestrated a major gift ask for a $100,000 match to a construction grant—but instead of asking for $100,000, we requested $250,000, explaining that the extra $150,000 would cover the inevitable project costs that tend to exceed initial estimates. Our ask was directed to a donor deeply invested in local historic preservation, making it relatively easy to highlight how project quotes often differ from actual costs and the likelihood of unforeseen challenges emerging once work is underway. He understood and gladly provided the additional funds, saving us from having to scramble to come up with additional money once the project was underway.
Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the nonprofit fundraising profession today?
A: I currently work in an art museum, and our biggest challenge has been the decline in corporate support. Convincing corporations that art matters to society is a heavier lift than demonstrating some of societies' more extensive, tangible needs like housing, food, and clothing. We’re trying to diversify our funding sources, but overcoming the shortage is difficult when a corporation that used to do a $7,500 sponsorship now says it can only provide $1,000 in funding. It's a constant battle, and we keep plugging along. This is why it is so important to me to stay connected to AFP. Our chapter hosted a monthly morning coffee meeting on this recently. Hearing that others are facing some of the same challenges and learning how they are working through those challenges is so important in this industry.
Q: What advice do you have for other fundraising professionals?
A: Listen and learn; don't be afraid to pick up the phone and reach out to your donors. They want to hear from you and appreciate your outreach.