Abstract
This reflective essay analyzes the intersection of communication theory and professional fund raising through the author’s experience as a college development officer. Drawing on eighteen months of practical work, the discussion demonstrates how principles of speech communication, particularly persuasion, audience analysis, credibility, and listening, translate directly into the context of institutional advancement. The author argues that while communication training provides an essential foundation for fund raising, the profession’s results oriented nature forces a shift from theoretical reflection to applied strategy. The essay identifies parallels between rhetorical concepts and the practical demands of prospect research, donor relations, and collaborative teamwork. It also suggests that fund raising offers valuable insights for communication pedagogy, emphasizing accountability, process orientation, and the integration of theory with practice. Ultimately, the text reaffirms that effective communication involves far more than eloquence, encompassing deliberate listening, adaptive persuasion, and ethical credibility as essential components of institutional success.
Recommended Citation
Smitter, Roger
(1986)
"Communication and Fund Raising: It Is More Than Talking Well,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 58, Article 9.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol58/iss1/9
