GiveGab Team Interview: Bridget Cafaro, Customer Success Guru

For our third GiveGab team interview, we reached out to Bridget Cafaro, our truly amazing  Customer Success Guru!

Having brought so much benefit and joy to so many of our nonprofit customers, we’re excited to share some of Bridget’s story with you!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Rockland County, NY – just a bit north of the big apple in the good ‘ol Hudson Valley!

Can you describe what your job is and what led you to this career path?

I studied theatre management in college and spent a majority of my time working behind the scenes at different theatres – most of them nonprofits! 

After scoring a couple great internships and taking classes from some amazing fundraising gurus, I became obsessed with nonprofit development and knew that after college I would apply all those skills to make a difference in my community and the world!

When did you start working for GiveGab?

I started working at GiveGab last November – I can’t believe it’s already been almost a year!

What attracted or inspired you to work for GiveGab?

I always pictured myself working within the development department of a nonprofit organization, and at GiveGab I can work with the development department of SO MANY organizations! It’s a real dream come true for me.

Every day I get to apply my passion for fundraising and helping people to make our nonprofits as successful as possible. Knowing that I’m helping not just one, but so many organizations, make a difference puts a big smile on my face every single day.

What causes and/or nonprofits are you most passionate about?

There are very few causes I don’t support in some way or another, but I’m incredibly passionate about the arts, social justice, and women’s rights. This year during our local giving day in Ithaca, Giving is Gorges 2016, I was proud to support Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes and the Hangar Theatre!

I’m also a big supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and all of the great work they do for those suffering from blood cancers.

Are there any campaigns running on GiveGab right now that stand out to you?

I’m currently a Fundraising Champion for the SPCA of Tompkins County’s March for the Animals event!

Is there a volunteer or fundraising experience that has impacted you positively?

When I was in high school one of my best friends, Melissa, was diagnosed with Leukemia. After her diagnosis, my friends and I got together and began volunteering for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on our county’s local planning committee for their annual fundraiser walk.

In addition to our volunteering, together we raised over $40,000 for LLS over the course of 4 years through different personal fundraisers. We had tag sales, cabarets, 50/50 raffles, and even a battle of the bands all in honor of melissa and benefitting LLS. 

That experience had such a profound impact on my life, and the lives of my friends, that it’s what inspires me every day to keep helping nonprofits make a difference and change the lives of the people they serve.

What aspects of your job bring you joy?

Every day I get to help so many incredible nonprofits further their mission by fundraising on GiveGab. I love talking to our users through the GiveGab chat feature (If you’ve never used it before, look for the little blue icon at the bottom right corner of your screen and say hello sometime!) and helping to make their busy lives easier by providing as much support and tools for success as I possibly can! Our customers are the best!  

What three words would you use to describe GiveGab’s culture?

Wild. Encouraging. Inventive.

What was your Birthday celebration like at GiveGab?

I was the contestant on a very special GiveGab Game Show, and I don’t know if it was rigged because it was my birthday… but I totally won.

How do you recharge?

Black coffee, leisurely strolls, and phone calls with old friends.

What movie or novel character do you most identify with?

Hodor, from the Song of Ice and Fire series.

When are you the happiest?

When I’m eating a slice of pizza.

What one memory do you most treasure?

Shortly after Melissa’s Leukemia diagnosis, my friends and I were asked to perform at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Man & Woman of the Year event. Our friend Rachel arranged the most beautiful mash-up of Have a Little Faith and Keep Holding On for us to perform, with Melissa front row center. Together, my four best friends and I performed the song and by the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience, including ours. In that moment we knew we would stand together and do whatever we could to help Melissa fight her disease.

Throughout her cancer battle, we would often watch the video of that performance and be reminded of how lucky we were to have each other during that awful time. Melissa has since passed away after a courageous 4 year battle against cancer, but we have sung that same mash-up together at many events benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her memory. She is the reason I love working with nonprofits, who help make a difference in the lives of people like her.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy! I’m always trying to figure out what people are thinking and this would make that a whole lot easier

What would a “perfect” day look like for you?

Walking along South Bank on the River Thames in London, grabbing a Kappacasein sandwich from Borough Market, then hopping on the tube headed for a Punchdrunk show. I spent four months studying in London and often refer to it as my happy place. I’ll be back someday!

What is something unique or would surprise people to discover about you?

I could talk your ear off about theatre for days. Seriously, don’t even get me started on Hamilton. Once I was having one of those mornings when everything seemed to be going wrong, but then our lovely Customer Success Manager, Alyssa, put on the soundtrack for me and the day was instantly turned around. I managed to score some tickets for this December and I am counting down the days until I am in the room where it happens!

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last year?

Teamwork really does make a dream work!

Interested in learning more about our team at GiveGab?

Check out Our Story page and stay tuned for future team interviews by subscribing to our blog below!