What's Your Fundraising Superpower?
When it comes to fundraising, there’s no one-size-fits-all model. The most successful fundraisers we know aren’t carbon copies of one another—they’ve figured out how to lead with their natural strengths. At Connection Collaborative, we call these your fundraising superpowers.
Here are six of the most common types we see—along with ways to spot yours and lean into it to level up your skills as a fundraiser:
The Storyteller
You light up when talking about your mission. You naturally connect with people through emotion, paint vivid pictures of possibility, and invite others to believe in something bigger than themselves. You can move a room with a well-told story.
Your fundraising strength: Inspiring belief and emotional connection.
Ways to lean in:
Use stories of impact in your donor communications.
Focus on one-on-one conversations and events where your authenticity shines.
Bring program staff and clients into your process to keep your stories grounded and real.
Reflection questions:
When have I felt most connected to my work?
What story made me fall in love with our mission?
How do I know when a story is resonating with someone?
The Connector
Relationships are your superpower. You instinctively build trust and bring people together. Your network is wide, and you know how to activate it with intention. You’re the person others turn to when they want to get something done collaboratively.
Your fundraising strength: Building long-term relationships and opening doors.
Ways to lean in:
Use relationship mapping to discover hidden opportunities in your existing network.
Partner with board members and volunteers to expand your reach.
Focus on stewardship—because your follow-up is just as powerful as your introduction.
Reflection questions:
Who already believes in our work—and how do I keep them close?
Where do I naturally build community, and how could I bring that into fundraising?
Who in my circle might be waiting for an invitation to help?
The Strategist
You see the big picture. You’re always thinking a few steps ahead, spotting patterns, analyzing data, and connecting the dots. You’re often the one asking the hard questions and pushing for intentional decisions.
Your fundraising strength: Designing sustainable systems and thoughtful strategies.
Ways to lean in:
Lead annual fundraising planning sessions and scenario-building conversations.
Design major gift strategies or campaign roadmaps rooted in data and insight.
Use your perspective to advocate for equity and alignment in fundraising practices.
Reflection questions:
What systems or patterns do I see that others might miss?
Where do I feel most energized—in planning, analyzing, or problem-solving?
How can I help the team connect short-term decisions to long-term goals?
The Visionary
You’re fueled by ideas. You see what's possible, even when others are stuck in what's practical. You’re often a few steps ahead of the crowd—and while that can feel lonely, your bold thinking creates space for innovation and growth.
Your fundraising strength: Articulating bold goals and attracting aligned champions.
Ways to lean in:
Use vision casting in your appeals and major donor conversations.
Host ideation sessions with partners and donors to co-create new opportunities.
Bring courage and imagination to stalled campaigns or pivot points.
Reflection questions:
What future am I most excited to help build?
What conversations light me up—even when they feel risky?
Who are the partners or donors who share my appetite for vision?
The Closer
Your superpower is clarity and confidence. You don’t shy away from making the ask—in fact, you thrive in the moment when a conversation turns into action. You understand that fundraising isn’t just about relationships or storytelling; it’s about results. You bring focus, urgency, and the kind of momentum that turns “maybe” into “yes.”
Your fundraising strength: Sealing the deal with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Ways to lean in:
Design campaigns and outreach plans with clear calls to action and short timelines.
Follow up promptly to keep momentum moving after meetings or events.
Eliminate friction in the giving process—make it easy to say yes.
Celebrate wins and recognize progress to keep morale high.
Offer to coach team members who feel nervous about the ask.
Questions to ask yourself:
Do I give my prospects a clear, compelling next step?
Am I using my decisiveness to help the team stay focused on priorities?
Could I mentor others who feel nervous about “the ask” and help them gain confidence?
The Analyst
Your superpower is seeing what others miss. You find patterns in donor behavior, identify which efforts are most effective, and ask the smart questions that help organizations make better decisions. While others might go with their gut, you go with what the numbers (and your instincts) are telling you.
Your fundraising strength: Turning data into insight to drive strategic fundraising decisions.
Ways to lean in:
Review donor data regularly to identify trends, gaps, and hidden opportunities.
Translate your findings into clear, actionable insights the team can understand.
Pair your analysis with curiosity—ask why something worked (or didn’t).
Collaborate with creatives and fundraisers to test data-informed strategies.
Be the voice that reminds the team how to measure success.
Questions to ask yourself:
Am I helping my team make more informed decisions based on real trends?
Do I translate data into clear, actionable insights (not just spreadsheets)?
How can I use my eye for detail to uncover untapped donor potential?
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Not sure which one sounds most like you? You might be more than one—or your strengths might show up differently depending on the season.
The most important part is this: You don’t have to fit into someone else’s version of what a fundraiser should be. You already have what you need—your instincts, your experience, and your clarity will guide you.