Major-gifts fundraisers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Major-gifts fundraisers specialize in face-to-face interaction with donors who can give large amounts.
- Education Required
- Although fundraisers have a variety of academic backgrounds, employers typically prefer a candidate with a bachelors degree in public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business. Degrees in other subjects also may be acceptable.
- Job Outlook
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The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 15% (Much faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Fundraisers can advance to fundraising manager positions. However, some manager positions may also require a masters degree, in addition to years of work experience as a fundraiser.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Laws vary by state, but many states require some types of fundraisers to register with a state authority. Check with your state for more information.
- Median pay: How much do Fundraisers make?
- $54,130 Annual Salary
- $26.02 per hour
Careers for Fundraisers
- Annual campaign fundraisers
- Campaign fundraisers
- Capital campaign fundraisers
- Development officers
- Direct mailing fundraisers
- Donor relations officers
- Events fundraisers
- Fundraising officers
- Online and crowdsource fundraisers
- Planned-giving fundraisers