How to become a Fundraiser

Official title: Fundraisers

Also called: Contract Grant Writer, Development Associate, Development Officer, Direct Response Consultant, Fundraising Consultant, Grant Coordinator, Philanthropy Officer, Principal Gifts Officer

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.

Main tasks

• 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.

How to become one

Fundraisers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have related experience, such as from working with a nonprofit organization in an internship or as a volunteer.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Grant Specialist, General.
• College: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 31 universities in the US
• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 9 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $72,550 a year The middle half earn $57,480 to $92,180.
• About 140,900 people work in this job now, and about 148,700 are projected by 2035. (+5.5%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Fundraiser?

Fundraisers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have related experience, such as from working with a nonprofit organization in an internship or as a volunteer.

How much does a Fundraiser earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $72,550 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $57,480 to $92,180.

Is a Fundraiser a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 140,900 to about 148,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Fundraiser?

Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Fundraiser?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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.