Business & Finance
Fundraisers
Also called: Contract Grant Writer, Development Associate, Development Officer, Direct Response Consultant
US median pay
$72,550
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
10,000
140,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.
What they do day to day
- Identify and build relationships with potential donors.
- Secure commitments of participation or donation from individuals or corporate donors.
- Write and send letters of thanks to donors.
- Solicit cash or in-kind donations or sponsorships from individual, business, or government donors.
- Create or update donor databases.
- Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
- Develop or implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programs.
- Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
- Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
- Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Persuasion4.0/5
- Negotiation3.9/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Service Orientation3.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Sales and Marketing3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Communications and Media3.4/5
- Economics and Accounting3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree90%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.