With more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, Brett Barnes, CFRE, CFRM, is the Chief Development Officer for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Managing a team of ten, he oversees the fundraising department’s strategic direction including major gifts, the annual fund, donor prospecting and research, federal and philanthropic grants, special events, and corporate relationships. He first earned his CFRE in 2015.
He shares . . .
We Are the Catalyst for Change
What inspires me most is hearing from individuals who have reached out to The Hotline and later chose to give back so others can escape the same situations they once felt trapped in. Their desire to ensure that no one feels alone is deeply motivating. I’m especially moved when a donor is brought to tears after reading an impact report on a project they funded and seeing the realization that they were a catalyst for change in someone else’s life or maybe even helped to save a life. Those moments inspire me and reaffirm why this work matters.
I’m most proud of hearing from donors who identify as survivors and express gratitude for an advocate who showed empathy and took the time to respond in a thoughtful, non-judgmental way. I take pride in connecting donors to causes they deeply care about and empowering them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of domestic violence victims and survivors. Building genuine, lasting relationships with the donors has been especially fulfilling, as those connections are rooted in trust, compassion, and shared purpose.
Building Bridges Through Donor Trust
Having the CFRE credential was important to a major donor that I stewarded. When we first met, they asked how I stayed current on donor issues. I let them know I had my CFRE, and that continuing education was a requirement. This pleased them and gained their trust from the get-go. Through regular touchpoints, personal moments of gratitude, and sending them timely information about issues I knew they’d be interested in, we built a strong relationship. When the time was right, I invited them to lunch with my CEO and a major philanthropist who also generously supports our organization. The donor shared why they invested in The Hotline and helped encourage their support.
It’s not just about asking people for money. The science and nuance of fundraising are essential parts of success. The asking is easy when the other parts are done correctly. Through thoughtful stewardship to making an ask, listening is the key. The transformational seven-figure gift made by this donor helped us surpass our fundraising goal and allowed more survivors to access the resources they need to feel safe and begin a life free of abuse.
From Professional Growth to Generational Change
It’s extremely important to me that the fundraising profession be recognized as an important and relevant career. I strive to be viewed as a person committed to life-long learning and recognized as a leader in my field. Having my CFRE makes both of these goals possible and gives me the credentials to be viewed as a fundraising leader.
It’s helped me as I changed careers and has given me leverage to advocate for myself and my profession. With each position change, I received commensurate pay increases and had leverage to negotiate and advocate for myself. I’ve never applied for a job; my hirings have been through reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations. Having the CFRE was a requirement for my current role; it opened the door for me
Each day, I arrive with a renewed connection to our mission and a desire to help individuals in abusive relationships find the needed assistance. I read the comments from donors, and I know the work I’m doing is making a difference both in the short-term and in the long-term. My goal is to create generational change.
Fuel Your Mission with CFRE
We have the honor of working with very generous, passionate people. We never take that for granted. Cherish each relationship. Build connections to the issues. We’re merely catalysts that help fuel a mission. Find an organization that values you and your expertise and a cause that you are passionate about, and you will undoubtedly have success.
Having the CFRE credential will help you advance your career and legitimize our profession. It will also open doors for you. It is a great way to continue your learning journey.