THP 30: Carlos Aramayo

Program: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Current Position: Co-Founder and Fundraising Director, The Fuller Center Bolivia
Hometown: La Paz, Bolivia
LinkedIn: Carlos Aramayo

Describe an interesting trend you see emerging in your profession and how you think it will affect the field:

Nonprofits are using advances in technology to engage donors face-to-face and at every giving level. The art of fundraising is about building relationships with people who are or will be willing and able to donate. Most NGOs recognize that face-to-face interaction is the most effective way to build these relationships, but this is reserved for major donor development because it’s expensive and time consuming. To justify these implicit costs, NGOs are increasingly using new technology to identify prospects for giving before donors make mid-level and major gifts, and then using that information to solicit face-to-face meetings and upgrade solicitations.

Who has inspired you and how has your life changed as a result?

I admire my father's attitude, his entrepreneurship, and his compassion. I remember as a child accompanying him to orphanages where he quietly donated much needed food and medicine. My father didn't do this looking for recognition of any kind. He taught me the value of helping those who are in need and the necessity of helping to build a strong society with a defined sense of community.