fundraiser

canvasser

assistant director

field manager

non-profit representative

DVCanvass

As a canvasser in a non-management position, you are perpetually in a trial period, and attempting to meet a quota. This makes it harder than ever for the company to retain good canvassers; if you fail to meet this quota, you jeopardize your job security. If you fail multiple times, whatever the circumstance, they have to cut you from the team. Your quota is WEEKLY. This is because commuting to the field costs the company a certain amount, and if the people working aren't generating a monetary equivalence to that cost, they become a financial burden. Once people manage to stay on the team for long enough, they can start having a longer-term quota (monthly).
Doing well yields bonuses, and training is thorough. 
A typical day involves:
a midday orientation followed by lunch;
a long commute to turf wherein team members practice their pitches (regularly ~45mins) and often short a field orientation;
a 4-5 hour shift walking around suburbia, knocking on the doors of strangers and using rhetoric and a pre-written series of pitches and responses to generate funds for whatever non-profit (Amnesty, MSF, etc.) the team is working with. Statistically, most people are lucky to sign up 2 people after knocking on 80 doors in a given shift;
The team will regroup and commute back to the office, where the shift ends, often after 9pm.
Having to meet a quota can greatly affect job performance as it acts as an additional stressor, which often shows up as desperation at the door.

The worst part of the job: asking for someone's money while trying to distance yourself from the personal reliance you have on their donation.

The best part of the job: You will never have difficulty talking to a stranger after working this job. You will likely meet some very cool people both in the field and at the office.


In the first two weeks you'll first be trained and then put to the field to get 3 donors over 5 days. As a canvasser you'll be coming to work around 12:30, head out to turf, receive some training / warm-ups (sometimes it'll be in the office, sometimes not), then you'll head out to start knocking on doors. During canvassing, you'll be talking to a lot of people, finding even more empty houses, and hopefully signing people up to fight for abortion rights, against gun violence, or any other issue Amnesty is campaigning on. You'll return to where you were dropped off around 8 for wrap up, and you'll be back to the office around 8:30 to 9.

The management I worked with was really kind and flexible, helped me with what I needed, etc. 5 stars all around.

Frankly, if you like progressive politics you'll probably love this place. It's part of the reason I got started here in the first place. People are kind and respectful, there's a level of cordiality I miss somewhat. Again, 5 stars

If there are any negatives, it's the work itself on the ground. You need be be outside walking and standing for several hours, so you need to be prepared for both hot and cold weather, have plenty of water and sunscreen, etc. People can also get annoyed about you asking for money, especially recurring donations (yes, it has to be recurring donations. And it's usually a high minimum too unfortunately). Ultimately though, the better you can make your case and get people on your side, the more likely it is you'll find someone who'll support you, even if it's rare on paper.

I've logged 7 years working in all types of food service and 4 years in the trenches of social services; I have never had an employment experience as negative as this one, despite working with awesome people for urgently important causes.

This is not the kind of place to apply for if you're hoping for job security. It's a sales job but for donations. If you think you'd be good at sales, then you can make much more money in sales for other products. If you have the heart for activism, I wouldn't recommend burdening it with work as soul-crushing as this for the sake of earning profit for the business owner in his ivory tower.

I only lasted one month, after doing well in training and the initial probationary days. I had two inconsistent weeks (out of my very first month mind you), and that was enough to get the boot. This is not an uncommon timeline for canvassers in this business. It is very much a revolving door of employment, as people either quit or don't make quota. Higher management's rigidity on this breaks through the otherwise positive, supportive, and inclusive office culture and proves to be, in its least distorted form, merciless and unforgiving. 

If you're desperate for work, it might buy you some time while you keep looking. Don't go into this expecting stability.

I just left this job after about a year and strongly recommend to anyone up to the challenge. Before I started and told people I got hired at as a canvasser, reactions were mixed - "oh like selling things at my door?", "In Portland's rain?!", the likes. With that in my head and my own self confidence struggles, I didn't think I'd stick around so long. Then, I arrived and the culture was so welcoming and kind. Everyone is there to lift each other up, not compete with each other. If you are struggling one week, people ask how they can help you, peers, managers, everyone. 

There is also a lot of growth opportunities. If you are interested in leadership, they help you chase that. If you want to change what you are pitching or to learn a new skill, they encourage that. You're never stuck doing one thing if you don't want to be.

Yes canvassing is hard. You are exposed to all the weather, all kinds of people, lots of potential no's. But it is also very rewarding to be with some amazing people every day. I was able to make great friendships and connections. And I was fighting for something that I really cared about while doing it. If you want connections and to feel like you're making a difference, absolutely give this a shot. 

This job is not for everyone. You first meet up at their office, take lunch, and then do a quick briefing. After that, you commute to the canvassing site. The canvassing itself is quite difficult. It entails walking for hours in the sun, often with little to no access to a restroom. Knocking on doors and talking to strangers requires a certain skillset, and having a bad day can really mess with performance. After a few hours, you meet back up and drive back. The people at the job are nice, and they genuinely want you to do well. If you thrive in sales or interpersonal relationships, you could do very well.

The training felt inadequate. As for most canvassing jobs, there is a quota to hit, and failure to hit it results in job termination. During the rudimentary training period, there is still a quota. That means while you are still not fully trained, you must still hit a quota, which is beyond stressful. It's very difficult to rely on the donations of strangers for your job. No matter how many times you go through it, it sucks to be constantly turned away at the door because your job depends on it.

My biggest concern about getting back to canvassing during a pandemic was the covid safety and procedures in place. DVCanvass does a great job at taking covid 19 very seriously for the protection of employees and the community members we interact with at the doors. From daily covid screenings to make sure only healthy folks are knocking doors, to masked and socially distanced community organizing, and vaccination as part of the job description, I feel safe here.  With those guidelines as a foundation of safety, I can be free to have fun and bring my passion to the work!

I’ve been working here for a few months and I absolutely love it. Yes, the walking can be tiring, but the causes we are working for make it worth it. It can of course get stressful at times and it is not the easiest, but the support you get from not just your co workers, but your managers and team leads, is great. Not to mention, it’s work that matters. Very fulfilling. Everyone respects each other and makes sure no body is left out and they’ll do anything they can to help you be the best that you can be. Definitely the best job I’ve ever had, and the best environment/team I’ve been a part of. 10/10 would recommend. 

Political canvassing is hard. You're approaching people at their own door, trying to talk about something that almost no one enjoys talking about. You're going to get a lot of rejection just from that. Then, after you have gotten past the politics, you have to ask them for money. It's not an easy time. That being said, DV canvass is pretty much the best of the bunch in terms of places to canvass for. They pay great, have a great bonus structure, are super inclusive, and are incredibly supportive. I love working there, but be warned, canvassing isn't for everyone. If you are going to find it hard to walk for 6 hours a day with little access to toilets, this job might not be for you. If you love talking and a fresh challenge every day, and frankly, getting paid very well, you will love it.

DVCanvass has been a perfect work/life balance for me! I'm working hard in a way that is rewarding and challenging instead of exhausting and burn-out inducing, and that has to do with the supportive managers and company culture that gives me the space & time I need away from work. It's a perfect place for autonomous individuals who want space to grow with a company while also having the flexibility to live their lives. 

Entry level positions will help you build a great set of foundational skills - from interpersonal effectiveness, persuasion, communication, even your own confidence! Management positions are perfect for those who are ready for a collaborative environment where they can step up and shine.

Really bad communication on the higher ups end, many work days cancelled without being notified, wasting time made to get ready and head on over. Asked manager for help and got left on read. Managers also have very unwelcoming and condescending attitude that make them seem very unreliable. They also teach you crucial skills halfway through your trial to becoming a staff. Overall very poor experience and waste of time, work is meaningful but you can not take them serious, coworkers do make up for that but that’s not their job.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Fundraiser 6 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour
Canvasser 15 salaries reported	$25.90 per hour
Assistant director 1 salary reported	$25.04 per hour
Field manager 2 salaries reported	$26.00 per hour
Non-profit representative 9 salaries reported	$19.67 per hour

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