Angela Johnson
Senior Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston MA
Angela Johnson is a graduate of Wellesley College with a 29-year career as a volunteer and professional fundraiser in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Angela is a results-driven executive with vast experience in generating revenue and increasing support bases for higher education, national and community-based non-profits. Angela has been a passionate advocate for youth and families, education, increasing diversity in the philanthropic community especially among fundraisers, and the importance of volunteer leadership.
Over the years, she has mentored 25-30 youth and young professionals while successfully helping to raise millions of dollars from individual, public, and private sector donors for Harvard University, Mount Holyoke College, United Way of MA Bay, several community-based nonprofits, as well as several arts and education organizations. She leads with honesty, humor, candor, integrity, drive, and a deep commitment to improving our world through philanthropy. An avid volunteer, Angela has served on the boards of Association of Fundraising Professional (AFP), The Lenny Zakim Fund and Sisters in Development in MA. She also served on an Advisory Committee for the MA State Treasurer Steve Grossman for four years. She was a Boston Big Sister for 9 years where she was selected as a community-based Big Sister of the Year.
Angela is currently Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Sr. Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations where she serves as a critical member of the leadership team for Institutional Advancement and External Relations. Angela oversees Major Gifts, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations.
Angela’s favorite quote illustrates her commitment to cultivating community giving and taking action:
“Education, like freedom, has never been free.
When we picked up peaches, someone else shook the tree.
I was a picker, now may I a shaker be.
As I have gained, let someone else now gain from me.”
How did you get interested in the fundraising profession?
Like many that I know in the field, I stumbled into the fundraising profession. A friend was aware of my love of writing, connecting people, and thirst for making positive change and encouraged me to seek work with an area non-profit. I had the good fortune to obtain the job and quickly discovered that my writing skills were a tremendous asset, and I seized the opportunity to strengthen my creative relationship building skills. At the core of all good fundraising is the ability to connect with people. Three months into my first job, I convinced a new donor to give my organization a five-figure gift. By listening and connecting his interests to the goals of a key program. I acquired a new donor and funds to support our work and I was hooked! After 29 years in fundraising, over $100 million raised for multiple institutions, organizations and programs, and countless connections built, I continue to be inspired by the generosity of people and the importance of human connection.
What is something you wish you had known early in your fundraising career?
I wish I knew then the value of professional networks. I participated in a lot of trainings and conferences in my early years to learn all that I could but did not appreciate for a few years the value of belonging to a group of similar professionals. It is important to belong to a group where you can share and gain ideas on best practices, overcoming challenges, and ideas for connecting with key prospects. Professional networks and mentors have helped immensely over the course of my career and have led to the last few opportunities I have embraced. The education in a classroom does not come close to the lessons learned in the field. Connect with someone that has a great deal of field experience and you are guaranteed to be enriched.
What is the one quality every fundraiser should have?
The ability to connect and actively listen. You can teach most skills needed in the job, but it is difficult to teach empathy, listening, and how to make people feel comfortable connecting with you and your organization. You do not have to be an extrovert, but you do have to have the ability to authentically connect with people on some level. Knowledge of your programs, institutional history and future plans is important. Insight into your prospects’ interests, giving goals, and history with the organization is helpful. But building trust and creating open donor relationships is critical and can only be achieved by truly connecting.
What inspires you about the fundraising profession?
I love the power of the philanthropic community to change the lives of many and the power of pooled resources. This sector is ever evolving and finding new ways to bring people and resources together. I am inspired by the impact that I have been able to have on the lives of so many through the work that I do. Helping families in need and/or supporting children seeking education, sports, arts, or other forms of activities that would otherwise be beyond their reach. It is not just the ones in need either. It is a wonderful experience to help a donor connect with a passion and to see how they in fact are transformed by the act of giving.
How do you want to be remembered as a professional?
I want to be remembered as someone that had success over the course of my career in great part due to my ability to build relationships. I want to be remembered for the impact that I have on a wide array of people, communities in need and fellow fundraising professionals. I want to be remembered for my strategic, relational skills and ability to help donors identify meaningful ways to support those in need and embrace the joy o