Matt Kupec is one of the nation's most successful fundraisers. He has spent 30+ years leading the fundraising programs at a number of great organizations including UNC-Chapel Hill, Hofstra University, HelpMeSee, Inc., and Moffitt Cancer Center. In this presentation he provides the reasons he loves fundraising as a career.

1. Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)

2. By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
 I am a fundraiser. That’s right - I have spent year after year
asking people to consider making a philanthropic gift to the
organization I was representing! Hmm, you might think, that
would be a pretty difficult and tough job?
 Fundraising is a career that has brought my incredible joy and
fulfillment. I have worked for incredible organizations that
are doing really important work.
 The results of the fundraising success have helped transform
the lives of thousands and thousands of people along the
journey!
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Background

3.  When I graduated from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill I promised to myself that I would never take a
sales job.
 The thought of asking somebody to buy something from me
was the last thing I wanted to do in my career! The thought
of having to ask somebody to buy a product was a definite
and absolute non-starter!
 So what did I do? I managed to spend my entire career not in
traditional sales but in the fundraising space as a salesperson
advocating on behalf of some great causes.
 What happened and what made me change my mind?
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Background (continued)

4.  After an unsuccessful stint in professional football, I got my
break when the University of Bridgeport hired me in their
alumni relations & giving department.
 It is there that I truly fell in love with the concept of higher
education and the role it plays in our society.
 Asking people to support UB was easy and a career
fundraiser was born.
 I’ve been fortunate to work for amazing institutions. Places
like UNC-Chapel Hill, Hofstra University, HelpMeSee, Inc., and
the Moffitt Cancer Center.
 All places had their own magic which appealed to the many
different and diverse constituents of these organizations. All
were making a difference!
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Background (continued)
I spent 10 years at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY

5.  So why do I love fundraising so much as a
career?
 On the next slides I’ll share with you a few of
the reasons why I think fundraising is one of
the best professions in this country.
 For those of you thinking about a career in
fundraising, I encourage wholeheartedly to
pursue it. It is rewarding and fulfilling.
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
The Reasons Why
UNC Kenan Stadium Loudermilk Center for Excellence

6. #1: Impact.
 There is nothing more satisfying than to see the impact
philanthropic gifts have on an institution. It could be
scholarships, faculty support, program support or many other
types of support.
 Philanthropy plays a key role in advancing an organization’s
ability to meet its mission and providing a public good
 The picture on the right shows students at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill who are Buckley Public Scholars
recipients. The Buckley Public Service Scholars program
challenges students to expand their understanding of service,
connect academic and community-based experiences and
build positive impact through service. Three hundred
students were recognized with the prestigious Buckley
Service Award
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Reason #1: Impact
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
UNC Buckley Public Service Scholars funded by a gift from
UNC alumna Marjorie Buckley

7. #2: Relationships.
 One of the great rewards in fundraising is the
relationships you build with donors.
 You spend a great deal of time with donors, getting to
them, learning everything about them, laughing,
working together and sharing a vision of the
possibilities of making something happen.
 Many donors have become great friends.
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Reason #2: Relationships
Former UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp with Dr. Richard Stack,
Dr. Joe DeSimone and Bill Starling

8. #3: Teamwork.
 I have always enjoyed being part of a team. It started
with being one of seven children in a very loving family
home environment.
 It continued on to the sports world where I was the
leader of football, basketball and baseball teams
throughout my life.
 And then it carried over into the business world as I
have been a fundraising leader of development shops
throughout my career.
 I fully understand the importance of collaboration and
collegiately to build a team fundraising approach and it
has generated significant fundraising results.
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Reason #3: Teamwork
Fundraising requires teamwork

9. #4: People Are Generally Good.
 One of the biggest takeaways for me in fundraising
has been to see how good people are.
 We live in a country where people really want to
make a difference and provide opportunities for
future generations.
 The non-profit space seems to bring together
people in ways that we don’t see enough in
today’s world.
 I can attest to the fact that people are generally
good and decent folks!
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Reason #4: People Are Generally Good
People want to make a difference

10. #5: Dedicated and Committed Colleagues.
 I continue to be so amazed by the commitment and dedication
of my colleagues at the organizations I have represented.
 The tireless, unselfish and caring way that my colleagues go
about their business is something that makes me so proud to
be part of a team effort.
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Reason #5: Dedicated and Committed Colleagues
Former UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp with dedicated UNC alums
Pitt Hyde and his wife Barbara, former UNC Board of Trustee member

11.  Fundraising has been an incredible career for me.
 Little do I know that I when I stepped into this space that I
would so richly rewarded with the opportunity to work
with so many talented, gifted and caring people.
 Together we would impacting the lives of thousands and
truly make a difference.
 Yes, I am glad I chose a career in the fundraising sales
space!
By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
Final Thoughts

12. By Matt Kupec (mattkupecassociates.com)
Why I Love Fundraising as a Career
About the Author
Matt Kupec is a fundraising professional with 32
years of significant higher education
development experience. He has directed three
major university fundraising campaigns and
nearly $5 billion has been raised under his
leadership. He has led the fundraising programs
at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Hofstra University, Moffitt Cancer Center &
Research Institute and HelpMeSee, Inc., a New
York City based non-profit.