Management
Fundraising Managers
Also called: Advancement Director, Annual Giving Director, Development Director, Donor Engagement Director
US median pay
$125,470
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.4%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
3,700
48,800 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
What they do day to day
- Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
- Manage fundraising budgets.
- Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.
- Plan and direct special events for fundraising, such as silent auctions, dances, golf events, or walks.
- Establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new fundraising opportunities.
- Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
- Contact corporate representatives, government officials, or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes, activities, or needs.
- Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
- Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet Web pages.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Persuasion4.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Time Management3.5/5
- Service Orientation3.4/5
- Negotiation3.4/5
Knowledge
- Administration and Management4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative4.2/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Sales and Marketing3.8/5
- Economics and Accounting3.5/5
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, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree65%
- Some college20%
- Master's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.