Dede Wilsey is arguably one of the greatest philanthropic fundraisers in San Francisco history, impacting hundreds of thousands of San Franciscans and millions of others beyond. Check out what Vivanista learned about her impressive contributions and insider tips.

Vivanista (V): What makes a successful fundraising campaign?

Dede Wilsey (DW): Most important is to have an enthusiastic Chair who is passionate about the cause she is fundraising for.

V: What are the qualities that make a fundraising Chair successful?

DW: You can’t be afraid to ask for money. You must be out there promoting your cause, and you just never know when you’re going to meet someone who can get involved in either donating money or helping in some other way. No place is sacred – you have to be willing to ask at parties, the grocery store, even elevators. I always ask, though, what someone’s comfort level is in terms of the size of his or her donation – I don’t want to embarrass anyone.

V: How do you motivate donors?

DW: I try to make them love the project I am campaigning for as much as I do.

V: What is a challenge you’ve been faced with as a fundraiser and how did you address it?

DW: The first money turned in is usually the hardest, then you become more confident. It’s important not to take rejection personally and just persevere.

V: If you could have done something differently in rebuilding the de Young, what would that have been?

DW: I wish the public had embraced the rebuilding of the Museum earlier than it did. The de Young was a great success when it opened, but the road there was arduous with angry citizens, numerous public hearings, and several lawsuits.

V: In addition to financial, what goals do you set for yourself?

DW: No one could pay me enough money to do what I do. My goal is to finish the job.

V: If someone is new to fundraising and they want to Chair an event in the future what steps should s/he take?

DW: First, see a psychiatrist. Seriously, take on the role with great confidence and do it for the greater good of the charitable cause. Leverage the resources you have available within that organization. If it’s a hospital you’re raising money for, like the campaign I am chairing right now for the UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay, bring attention to the doctors who are performing miracles. If it’s the ballet, showcase the dancers. Play to the strengths of the organization you’re working with. Stay focused, be on the top of your game and go out and get the job done. Finally, write lots of thank you notes.

V: Any anecdotes from your experiences in fundraising?

DW: My 1-year old granddaughter was at my house and playing under a glass-top coffee table and bumped her head on the glass. It was a hard bump but she did not cry. I thought, “good for you for not crying. This is only the first time you will try to crack a glass ceiling.” I hope for my granddaughter that the glass ceiling is lifted by the time she is an adult, no matter what path she chooses.

Many years ago, when Beverly Sills was still alive, she was in town for an interview with the Fol de Rol magazine produced by the Opera. I asked her if she was ever afraid to get up and sing. Her response, which I’ve never forgotten, was, “If anyone else could do it better, they’d be on that stage instead of me.”