Meet-A-FLiP: Elizabeth Goldberg

Meet Elizabeth Goldberg, a DC FLiP who practices philanthropy in both her career and her volunteer experiences.  As someone who sees both sides of the donation, Elizabeth talks about her experiences with the Master Chorale of Washington, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, and how life and education have prepared her for where she is today.

Future Leaders in Philanthropy (FLiP): Tell us a little about yourself: where you went to school, what you majored in, and the interests that led you to a job in philanthropy.

Elizabeth Goldberg (EG): I went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts where I majored in American Studies and focused my research on race, ethnicity, and performative identity. I also completed coursework at Amherst College and Georgetown University. I have always been inspired by philanthropy and a value impressed upon me by my family growing up to take an active role as a donor in your community.

My career was largely informed, however, by my participation in a summer program that focused on the role of philanthropy and voluntary service in American life. Although my entire work background until that time had been in direct service, I was placed in a development internship at the Washington National Opera. At that point I realized that development really played to my strengths: working with all types of constituencies, focusing on writing and analytical thinking, networking with individuals, and even competition, too. Development is what allows nonprofits to complete the amazing work that they do through programs and services, or performances and education in the case of the arts—and that inspired me.

FLiP: Describe your role at your current job.

EG: I currently have two jobs in philanthropy—one which pays me and the other for which I volunteer. My day job is as a Development Associate at the Master Chorale of Washington. We have a small shop, so I work closely with the executive director to manage the Annual Fund; assist with major donor prospect research, cultivation, and stewardship; run our membership program; maintain our donor database; serve as the organizational contact for our annual gala and other special events (work with consultants, vendors, etc.); and write all of our foundation and government grants.

My volunteer philanthropy position is as a board member for the Epilepsy Foundation of America. As part of my responsibilities as a board member, including fundraising, I am also the Chair of the National Youth Council. As a board member I work to shape the strategic direction for the Foundation as a whole and work with staff to implement that vision as a committee member and advocate for the Foundation and people with epilepsy so that “not another moment is lost to seizures.”

FLiP: What are some parts of the job you like? What do you dislike?

EG: I love talking with donors and building our relationships with foundations. I love prospect research. I don’t like mail merges and dealing with technology issues, but both are inevitable.

FLiP: Who have been your biggest supporters?

EG: I’ve got to give that to my family. I attended an AFP educational session recently where the speaker stressed the point that philanthropy is a learned behavior. My parents always supported my career interests and decisions and always served as a sounding board for my work with the Epilepsy Foundation. I have also had extremely supportive colleagues on the Epilepsy Foundation Board, whose initiative to include youth as a full member on the National Board is extremely laudable. The mentorship I have received from them is invaluable.

FLiP: What is a day or week like for you?

EG: At Master Chorale I work in a small development shop (myself and the ED), so any given day can consist of Board relations, major gifts, prospect research, planning membership events, database management, writing a government or foundation grant, coordinating with gala consultants, working with our interns, and of course thanking people for gifts. 

As a board member, a week will normally consist of conference calls, checking in with Youth Council members about their project progress and activities, acting as the connector between board members, staff, and youth council members, and responding to action alerts and media inquiries usually with regard to media representation of people with epilepsy. On a weekly basis, it is a constant combination of both strategic thinking and personnel management of council members.

FLiP: Any fun facts about you that you’d like to share?

EG: I am currently training for a half marathon—Quebec City on August 26! I also believe that most problems can be solved with duct tape.

FLiP: How has your education helped prepare you for your current roles?

EG: I often joke that the requirement for any class at Smith (or any similar liberal arts college) was that it could not explicitly provide you with a marketable skill. That said, as a result of my education I believe that I can write well, speak articulately, problem solve, think critically, and have confidence in those skills—all of which translate into any given professional setting.

FLiP: What are two or three critical lessons you learned as a student or during the course of your work?

EG: 1. Stand behind what you say; rather, always be able to stand behind what you say.  From the classroom to a board meeting, this is a consistent theme.  2. Listen. 3. Don’t underestimate yourself because of your age.

FLiP: Where do you see yourself professionally in 10 years?  In 25 years?

EG: I am honestly not sure where I’ll be at that time. However, I feel confident that the skills I have learned in development on both the “ground” and board levels will translate well into whatever I choose to pursue. I feel fortunate to be able to say that about my current positions that I don’t think is necessarily true of all sectors or professions.

FLiP: Do you have any advice you would give to future FLiPs looking at a career in philanthropy? 

EG: From an “entry level” development stand point, speak to everyone you can about their career path.  I found that everyone had a different entry point into philanthropy; it is a sector that accommodates a wide varieties of interests and skills. Your next task is to identify what will make your career in philanthropy personally worthwhile. 

From the standpoint of a ‘young leader’, do your research and come prepared. Don’t ever enter a meeting, interview, or even a reception without being completely prepared and having considered everything. Whether it is the giving history of a donor, the agenda items of a conference call and its accompanying documents, or goals of a foundation, it is necessary to bring everything you have to the table.  Outperform what is expected of your age range and people will respect you for it.

Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions of your coworkers and colleagues.  Always ask to sit in or participate even if you don’t think you ‘belong there.’ 

FLiP: In your opinion, what are some issues within the sector that may be relevant to Future Leaders in Philanthropy?

EG: As with most careers in the nonprofit sector, burn out is definitely an issue. Development can be stressful especially considering that the cash flow is the direct responsibility of your department. The success of any given campaign can mean the difference for us between accommodating 100 students in our Honors Chorus or 300.