Fundraising manager
Also known as: fundraiser, fundraising consultant, non-profit fundraiser, fundraising coordinator, giving manager, philanthropic manager
About this occupation
Fundraising managers are responsible for raising money on behalf of organisations, often non-profit such as charities. Moreover, they manage the fundraised resources developing programs for its use. They perform a variety of tasks to raise money such as developing corporate partnerships, coordinating direct mail campaigns, organizing fundraisers, contacting donators or sponsors, and sourcing grant income from trusts, foundations and other statutory bodies.
Essential skills and knowledge
- analyse financial performance of a company
- create a financial plan
- social media marketing techniques
- follow company standards
- enforce financial policies
- fix meetings
- recruit employees
- analyse market financial trends
- corporate social responsibility
- manage staff
- coordinate events
- financial statements
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Fundraising Managers (O*NET 11-2033.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$125,470 a year (2025), 38,810 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.5)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Fundraisers
- Public Relations Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Financial Managers
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Marketing Managers
- Sales Managers
- Treasurers and Controllers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.