Taylor Trousdale
Proposals & Partnerships Manager
Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma
Member since 2024
Why did you join AFP?
I haven't been in the fundraising world very long, but as I was getting to know seasoned professionals and learning from them, I realized they all had one thing in common: they were members of AFP! It seemed like a no-brainer to join this community of talented, dedicated fundraisers to continue learning and growing in my career.
What is the most exciting thing about the work you do at your current organization?
Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma serves 39 counties across the state, which means many of our fundraising partners are in smaller towns an hour or more outside of Oklahoma City. I love taking day trips to meet our funders in person and see the impact of Girl Scouts across Oklahoma!
How did you find your way into fundraising?
By accident! I spent my first 2 years out of college working in a church as a Youth Programs Director. I found a job posting for a Development Assistant position at a nonprofit in OKC and realized many of the skills I'd been developing as a programs director applied there, too. I decided to send in my resume and see how I felt about development work during the interview process. Turns out, I like it a lot!
Share a favorite donor impact story:
Before coming to Girl Scouts, I worked at a nonprofit that provides services to individuals experiencing homelessness. More than once, I got to chat with new donors who told me they were giving because they had been in the same position as our clients before, and now had the resources to give back. Generosity is selfless, and working in fundraising creates special opportunities to watch generosity (and the impact of nonprofit programs) happen up close.
What is special about the people who give to your organization and/or the people with whom you work?
I incorrectly assumed that most people who donate to Girl Scouts were probably former Girl Scouts themselves. It was a happy surprise to discover that most of our donors never participated in Girl Scouts--they just believe in the the power of supporting girls. One fifth of our members are living at or below the poverty line and would not have the opportunity to experience the life-changing programming Girl Scouts offers. But the people in our state who support our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character allow us to provide financial aid and Community Programs to girls in underserved communities.
Girl Scout leadership always says "When you buy a box of Girl Scout cookies, you're not just buying cookies--you're investing in a girl's future." I am touched by donors who are willing to invest in the future of Oklahoma's girls by making a gift to our organization, even without receiving cookies in return.
What surprised you most when you joined the profession, or your current organization?
I was initially very nervous to have to ask for money for a living. I found out quickly that asking people to financially support your organization isn't challenging at all when you believe in the work and mission.
What advice do you have for new professionals joining the community?
People don't give to organizations--they give to stories. As a grant writer, my favorite part of my job is turning numbers into narratives that show funders the impact of their generosity. My advice is to collect as many stories as you can about your organization and its work and tell those stories all the time. Stories make your mission come to life and show funders that their dollars make a difference!
How do you spend your free time when you’re not working?
I'm usually reading in my free time! I overcommitted myself to more than one book club, so my "to read" stack stays tall.
What is something that few people know about you?
I am a serial hobbyist. I recently spent a year very dedicated to boxing classes, but in the past few months I've put down the gloves and picked up a harmonica.
Where do you most like (or want!) to travel?
Last summer my husband and I went to Puerto Vallarta with some friends--it was a magical week! I would love to go back.
Share a little about your pets, family, or friends:
I am the proud pet mom of a beautiful black cat named Tamale and a little fluffy white dog named Tim. Tim is twice as big as Tamale, but when they wrestle, Tamale usually wins.