Fundraising and friendraising all in a days work for new World YWCA Fundraising Coordinator
From the Barack Obama for President Campaign to World YWCA Fundraising Coordinator, Lynn Sorrentino understands the word change. Sorrentino has joined the World YWCA team from Seattle, Washington as the Fundraising Coordinator and is excited about the challenge the new role will bring. “I made the decision to join the World YWCA primarily to work on big challenges such as fundraising in challenging economic times, friend raising for the World YWCA, social networking, public relations and promoting the mission of the organisation,” says Sorrentino who holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Humboldt State University, California.
Although fundraising may seem a world away from biology, Sorrentino says women’s issues have a special place in her heart. “I am very interested in the peace movement and how women can drive peace efforts, women’s health, and equal opportunities in education for all women.”
Sorrentino began her fundraising experiences as a volunteer working to raise money for a new building for the Seattle Wallingford Boys and Girls Club. Since then, she has been a part of raising awareness and money for the Microsoft Women in Computing Scholarship, science and math education for young girls, and an art show called "Unembedded" about the effects of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I have also worked to raise money for environmental organisations and political campaigns in the United States such as the Darcy Burner for Congress Campaign and the Barack Obama for President Campaign.”
Despite the big names, Sorrentino is looking forward to working with grassroots women. “I enjoy big challenges, and am excited to be working on the global issues that the World YWCA is chartered with. I have worked for the advancement of women in voluntary capacities during my career in technology, and I am happy to be working directly, full-time, on women’s issues now. My passion for technology and its power to connect women to each other, I think is what makes this role so thrilling.”
Fundraising is often identified by many YWCA member associations as one of the biggest challenges in organisational capacity building but Sorrentino says funds are essential in the women’s movement. “Organisations that advocate for and serve women have to have a clear mission, defined strategy and goals, and the financial means to accomplish their goals. It is important for women’s organisations like the YWCA to continuously raise funds so we can provide services and programs that focus on HIV and AIDS education, eliminating violence against women, working for peace and justice, and providing women in local communities leadership opportunities.”
Sorrentino admits partnerships are also a crucial fundraising strategy. “It is important to reach out to community institutions that serve women and invite them where appropriate to become 'friends' and partners of the YWCA, similar to the partnerships the World YWCA has forged with multi-national organisations.”
As she settles into a Geneva winter, Sorrentino is looking forward to making some personal and professional partnerships of her own . “I also joined the World YWCA staff to help facilitate new directions in social networking to reach out to young women around the globe. Reaching out to women from every country that the YWCA serves, and to new countries we hope to serve, starts in the World YWCA office,” says Sorrentino. “I am excited to work with dynamic, inspiring women from Zimbabwe to New Zealand, Haiti to Indonesia, Scotland to Cameroon - it is so educational! "
