Commission-Based Fundraising Roles
Why Commission Structures Exist
Globalgood’s fundraising calendar is ambitious—reserve audits, living-wage pilots, treaty briefings—all needing predictable cash flow. Commission incentives attract seasoned rain-makers who thrive on clear performance metrics, yet still believe in mission over margin. By tying fees exclusively to net new gifts, we harness professional skill without diverting donor money away from programs.
Definition of a Commission-Based Fundraising Volunteer
You are a contracted volunteer who brings corporate sponsors, major donors, or in-kind gifts beyond the reach of standard campaigns. You operate under the Advancement Office, follow the Volunteer Code, log every interaction in Salesforce, and only receive payment after funds clear compliance checks.
Ethical Foundation
- Mission Dominance: the gift’s impact must supersede the commission’s size.
- Transparency: donors know that a capped percentage of their contribution pays a success fee.
- No Finder’s Fee for Restricted Grants: institutional or government grants remain commission-free to preserve academic independence and avoid procurement conflicts.
- Cap & Disclosure: Globalgood caps cumulative commissions per volunteer at USD 30 000 per fiscal year, published in our annual report.
Commission Logic & Percentages
- Determine Net Gift: gross pledge minus credit-card fees, event expenses, and tangible benefit value.
- Apply Tiered Rates:
- USD 10 000–49 999 → 4 %
- USD 50 000–199 999 → 3 %
- USD 200 000+ → 2 %
- These sliding scales encourage big asks while protecting mission funds.
- Payment Timing: 30 days after Finance certifies funds cleared AML rules.
- Cap Enforcement: system freezes further commission accrual once USD 30 000 threshold reached for the year.
Legal & Tax Compliance
- Contract & NDA: signed before solicitation begins, referencing state charitable-solicitation statutes.
- Form W-9 / VAT IDs: collected for tax reporting; commissions logged as 1099-MISC income in the U.S. or equivalent elsewhere.
- Fundraising Registration: volunteers working in jurisdictions with professional fundraiser licensing must file as Globalgood’s agent or operate through a licensed principal.
- Anti-Kickback Clause: accepting personal gifts from prospective donors breaches policy and triggers dismissal.
Step-by-Step Workflow
- Prospect Tagging: submit lead via Salesforce; Advancement approves to avoid duplicate approaches.
- Proposal & Negotiation: use branded decks; cc Advancement on all emails.
- Verbal Pledge Logged: Finance conducts due-diligence (OFAC, sanctions, source of funds).
- Gift Agreement Signed: donor wire or card processed through Globalgood portal.
- Funds Clear: Commission Voucher auto-generates; CFO approves payout batch.
- Impact Reporting: volunteer supplies donor-specific outcome summary within 60 days.
Interactions with Staff & Other Volunteers
- Collaboration, Not Competition: staff officers focus on foundation grants; commission volunteers on corporate/individual large gifts.
- Team Credit: if a volunteer and staffer co-close, commission splits 70 / 30 to the volunteer, recognizing staff salary coverage.
- Non-Solicit Zones: volunteers may not approach existing partners flagged “Relationship Stewardship” without written clearance.
Conflict-of-Interest Checks
If you or close family hold >5 % equity or paid consultancy with the prospect, declare in the lead form. Ethics Desk may redirect the prospect or convert your role to pro bono outreach.
Commission Examples
- Scenario A: Volunteer secures USD 25 000 from local bank. Net gift USD 24 000 → Commission 4 % = USD 960.
- Scenario B: Volunteer orchestrates USD 300 000 corporate Platinum sponsorship. Net gift USD 285 000 → Commission 3 % = USD 5 700 (applied to annual cap).
Each example concludes with Finance voucher and public impact note linking gift to a Living-Wage Pilot or Reserve Dashboard Upgrade.
Training & Support Resources
- Playbook: legal clauses, negotiation scripts, benefit matrices.
- Quarterly Webinars: advanced pitch strategies and AML refresher.
- Mentor Pool: senior commission volunteers available for call-shadowing and proposal feedback.
- Ethics Hotline: rapid guidance on tricky corporate asks; response within 24 hours.
Getting Started as a Performance-Paid Volunteer
- Apply via volunteer@globalgoodcorp.org — subject line “Commission Agent”.
- Attach résumé highlighting sales, fundraising, or corporate relations.
- List sectors you know (finance, FMCG, energy, tech).
- After screening call, sign the Performance Volunteer Agreement & NDA.
- Complete Compliance 101 and Pricing Ethics micro-courses within 14 days. You’re then cleared to tag your first prospect and begin the journey of transforming corporate capital into honest-money impact.