fundraiser

ambassador

F2F Direct Consulting

I worked for F2F Direct in Calgary in 2016 and 2017. 

In any job, it's important to distinguish between the type of work, and the type of employer. 

Let's start with the type of work. 

Door-to-door fundraising is:

(1) Outdoorsy;

(2) A decent workout;

(3) Sometimes repetitive;

(4) Sometimes fulfilling and rewarding; and

(5) Sometimes challenging, thankless work, because you're asking people for money, and most people do not earn enough to give to every single charity that comes asking. 

F2F works primarily with the Alberta Cancer Foundation, which funds clinical trials and other cancer-related projects at cancer care clinics around the province. 

However, cancer is a deadly illness. Sometimes, people who've  had experiences with the health care system find cancer to be an emotionally difficult topic. For example, people may be upset by wait times for certain procedures, or feel that the quality care they, or a loved one, received at a cancer care clinic was poor. More often then not, they're simply upset that cancer entered their lives at all. And since you're the person at the door, asking them for money to fund cancer research, people may choose to express their personal sentiments about cancer and/or health care to you. It's best to not take it personally.

In other cases, people express gratitude for the excellent care they or their loved ones received during difficult times. People share these stories because the memories are meaningful to them. It's best to not take it personally.

I found that, for most people, the decision whether or not to donate was independent of how people felt about cancer or the health care system. Some people never gave at the door. For others, signing up for monthly donations at the door was an "impulse buy" decision, usually based on how they'were feeling at the time.

This is actually a good thing for campaigners, since it means that, statistically, if you knock on enough doors, you'll eventually come across someone who's willing to donate.

It's important to remain informed. accurate and truthful. While it's relatively rare to encounter someone publicly spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about cancer, people in society harbour suspicions about state-funded medical care, and cancer care in particular. Fear of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is common, as is the belief that many forms of cancer treatment are "worse than the disease." 

Ironically, thanks to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Albertans know quite a bit about cancer as a disease. However, some people's understanding of cancer treatment is based on dated information, or worse, based on misinformation and falsehoods spread online.

Secondly, the type of employer. Working for F2F was:

(1) Outdoorsy;

(2) A decent workout;

(3) Sometime repetitive;

(4) Sometimes fulfilling and rewarding; and

(5) Sometimes challenging, thankless work, because you're asking people for money, and the vast majority of people say "no thanks."

To its credit, F2F does not have fundraising quotas. There is no commission pay, because it's not sales work. This has a positive effect on employee morale, and encourages an atmosphere of teamwork and shared success among campaigners, who often work in pairs or small teams.

Performance is monitored through pledges per hour (PPH), but management understands that the PPH is an average - it can go up and down. 

Management considers both short and long-term effectiveness of a campaigner's message. if a campaigner can bring an accurate and persuasive message to the door, people will remember the encounter, even if they are unable or unwilling to donate at the time. 

P.S. If you don't like being outside, walking or standing, this job is not for you.

During the summer months, a team member typically works with a high degree of autonomy as they visit current and recent donors as a fundraising representative. This involves using a provided iPad and display binder to find the donors' homes, make them feel appreciated and ask them to renew or increase their monthly donation. Use of personal vehicle for doing this work is fairly compensated and training is comprehensive and ongoing.

In the winter months,   a team member engages the general public in retail spaces, sitting on a stool next to a banner. The team member brings the stool and banner with them every day. This is not a high-pressure sales job as team members are paid a fair hourly wage and don't feel the pressure to get new donors to make an income, as there is no commission paid. There is a periodic bonus that doesn't act as an incentive so much as a relatively small recognition of a team member's consistent effort and integrity.

As someone in middle management at this company, I would highlight that the company has a supportive culture from the CEO down to team members supporting each other.

Although our second team lead was quite relaxed and helpful. There was barely any help given to the Victoria team as it wasn't close to the base of Canuck Place Children's Hospice. When there was a lull of pledges in our team, head management went straight to threatening to firing the whole team after saying that they'd help us and support us if there was lulls in pledges. The head office had no idea of the Victoria areas and when mapping out areas they sent us to some less fortunate areas and reused the same maps where the only people who would want to donate were already donating. As well as having to work in all weather conditions there will be people who are very angry and will slam doors and even stand there and yell at you. 
Pro's I had cool coworkers.

Great company to work for. They offer innovative, paid training to improve your skills in communications, fundraising, cultural awareness, and diversity, as well as team-building exercises and activities. 

If you apply yourself and bring value to the team, there are many opportunities for career advancement even within weeks of being on the job.

Great vacation benefits with 4 weeks paid to every employee with three months of tenure, benefits after six months and they are flexible with time off requests. 

It's an employee-centered organization who cares about its members and helps them grow both personally and professionally.

-F2F Direct Consulting offers flexible shifts and hours, with; evenings in the summer and days during the winter. 
You are guaranteed to work in a great team environment, with lots of support from fellow employees and management alike.
Working outdoors is a fabulous way to stay in shape, see all that Calgary has to offer and engage in many meaningful conversations to support a worthy cause.

With all the above and even some opportunities to advance within the company, I highly recommend applying to work for F2F Direct Consulting if you are seeking a fulfilling career that supports not-for-profit charities.

This is a position that provides a way to have a meaningful impact on the lives of many people, by raising funds to conquer cancer.
Management works at making everything go as smoothly as possible for the campaigner. 
The best part of the job is meeting people , hearing their story and sharing how the work that Alberta Cancer Foundation saves lives and creates moments for families and patients.
 

The management is unbeatable! They are such nice people! They taught me everything I needed to know and more. They were always compassionately patient with their employees. Not only did I learn alot about fundraising at this job, I learned alot about cancer. It felt good to give back. If your thinking about working here. It will be the best decision you ever make! 

1- Great group dynamic. 
2- Gain experience in communication. 
3- Working for a good cause. 
4- Good starting pay.
5- Learning more about non-profits through training sessions.

Pro
- Management and team are immensely supportive. ( best part of the job)
- Great way to get yourself moving and a relatively easy job.
- Perfect for students or for people who want something extra.

Con
- Getting individuals to support the cause can be challenging. 
- Calgary weather.
- Hours are reasonable for the kind of job. However, it did not bother me much.

Pros: 
flexible
decent pay
good hours for someone with other jobs/hobbies
great training
encouraging and helpful management
great team, good sense of camaraderie
independent
meaningful work

Cons: 
Door to door is a very specific kind of stress
sometimes hard to meet the required amount of "sales/upgrades"
socially exhausting
weather dependent

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Fundraiser 18 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Ambassador 3 salaries reported	$20.83 per hour

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