Meet Durriyyah Jackson, CFRE, CAP®!

Durriyyah Jackson, CFRE, CAP® serves as the Director of Development in the Office of Planned Giving at George Washington University. Whether meeting with donors or spending time with her family, Durriyyah approaches each part of her life with a people-centered philosophy.

With nearly fourteen years of experience, Durriyyah is passionate about making a positive impact through her work. "The focus on the people tends to be what guides my approach," she shares. She begins most days by strategizing communication methods and processes related to a donor's gift to maximize potential next steps. Durriyyah finds great fulfillment in working with donors to envision their gift and bring it to fruition. "There are so many gems of wisdom that are shared throughout these donor conversations that I take with me; it’s an added benefit to the work I do,” she explains. “I get to interact with people I normally would not come in contact with, and it’s always a learning opportunity for me.”

Durriyyah creates powerful moments of connection to help donors envision the future impact of their gifts. "There are people being born in the hospital today who will receive your award," she often details to donors. As a previous undergraduate scholarship recipient, Durriyyah has a personal connection to the potential impact of a donor's contribution. "When I turned 18, there was a full scholarship waiting for me," she shares. Inspired by her own experience, she is passionate about helping donors visualize the possibilities their giving can create. After hearing stories from donors, Durriyyah introduces them to students, allowing them to see the tangible effect of their gifts. These introductions allow the donor to grasp the value and long-term impact they can have on the organization and the lives of others.

Durriyyah emphasizes the importance of communicating across various forms of gift planning. "I don't just speak annual gifts. I don't just speak planned gifts or major gifts. I speak philanthropy. I speak about structuring gifts that work for the donor." Her ability to meet people where they are, based on their circumstances and wishes, has transformed her engagement with donors. This perspective enables her to explore various avenues and possibilities for those she's working with.

Reflecting on her career, Durriyyah highlights the importance of professional development and advocating for yourself. "I wish someone had been more emphatic about the need to advocate for yourself and take a proactive role in your personal development." Taking ownership of her career has shifted her outlook. Whether through her membership with the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners or serving as a faculty for the Newcomers in Development Conference, she is dedicated to empowering others in the field of gift planning and in the broader advancement sector. 

Looking ahead, Durriyyah hopes to see growth within the philanthropic community. "I would love to see the depth we have within the planned giving discipline integrated more into the other areas," she notes. "The work within planned giving can benefit other disciplines within fundraising. Integrating our work with other professionals allows everyone to be less siloed and work more collaboratively." 

Durriyyah's commitment to fostering connections and advocating for both donors and the next generation of leaders ensures that her work will leave a lasting legacy at the George Washington University and beyond.

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A special thank you to Durriyyah Jackson for sharing her experience with CGP. If you haven't had the pleasure of connecting with Durriyyah, introduce yourself using the CGP Link.

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