Valerie Johnson, MBA, CFRE, joined Pathways to Housing PA as director of institutional advancement in 2018. She co-hosts a podcast, Beyond Philanthropy, alongside Monique Curry-Mims. Valerie also worked as a fundraiser for Council for Relationships, Valley Youth House, and the American Association for Cancer Research. Valerie serves on the Association of Fundraising Professionals board of directors as vice president of education and professional development and has been a featured speaker for PANO, NTEN, the Lancaster County Community Foundation, AFP GPC, and AFP Brandywine. She's mom to cats Agador and Spartacus, and studied marketing at Drexel University.

-30-

Dear funders, here are 6 things you could do better. Sincerely, your applicants

column

Sep. 24, 2019 8:12 am

Dear funders, here are 6 things you could do better. Sincerely, your applicants

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Some funders — locally and nationally — are making a sincere effort to update their processes, says columnist Valerie Johnson. But, in her experience, they’re in the minority.

#ProTip: Stop saying you want to give back

column

Aug. 13, 2019 1:12 pm

#ProTip: Stop saying you want to give back

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

No cookie for you if you utter that line during an interview, says columnist Valerie Johnson. Here's why.

These 5 aspects make a good workplace — and they all point to leadership

column

Jul. 24, 2019 8:44 am

These 5 aspects make a good workplace — and they all point to leadership

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Columnist Valerie Johnson says, "It’s true that people leave bosses, not jobs. And often, they’re leaving a boss that didn’t share their values."

How to decide which organization gets your money

column

Jun. 14, 2019 7:34 am

How to decide which organization gets your money

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Columnist Valerie Johnson outlines how to get "a good read on who is doing good work, who is using donations responsibly, and who is really meeting their mission."

Do fundraisers have privileged solutions and strategies?

column

May 2, 2019 4:36 pm

Do fundraisers have privileged solutions and strategies?

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

They are taught best practices that cater to the privileged, says columnist Valerie Johnson, but they can change them.

Fundraisers, do you have a hard time asking for help?

column

Apr. 15, 2019 11:46 am

Fundraisers, do you have a hard time asking for help?

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Columnist Valerie Johnson says if you’re doing it right, the ask should be the easiest part of a fundraiser's job.

Beware that your relationship with donors isn’t sabotaged by unconscious bias

column

Mar. 7, 2019 2:04 pm

Beware that your relationship with donors isn’t sabotaged by unconscious bias

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

A recent Twitterstorm from Stephen King was a useful reminder for fundraisers: Do not make assumptions based on binary gender stereotypes. Full stop.

So, you got the job interview. Here’s how to impress your potential future boss

column

Feb. 4, 2019 9:17 am

So, you got the job interview. Here’s how to impress your potential future boss

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Your cover letter rocked and you're on the next step toward employment bliss. Follow these tips from recent nonprofit hiring manager Valerie Johnson to finish strong.

Please (please, please) don’t do this when applying for nonprofit jobs

column

Jan. 28, 2019 9:32 am

Please (please, please) don’t do this when applying for nonprofit jobs

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Or any jobs, really: Development pro and recent hiring manager Valerie Johnson dishes on her work applicant pet peeves.

Can we stop with the voting contests deciding where nonprofit funding should go?

column

Jan. 2, 2019 7:30 am

Can we stop with the voting contests deciding where nonprofit funding should go?

By Valerie Johnson / contributor

Who is best served by the $5,000 or $10,000 up for grabs? Probably the org offering it, writes columnist and development pro Valerie Johnson.