How to become a Fundraising Manager
Official title: Fundraising Managers
Also called: Advancement Director, Annual Giving Director, Development Director, Donor Engagement Director, Foundation Director, Fundraising Manager, Individual Giving Director, Individual Giving Manager, Institutional Advancement VP (Institutional Advancement Vice President), Major Gifts Director
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Main tasks
- 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.
How to become one
Public relations and fundraising managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and some positions may require a master's degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $125,470 a year The middle half earn $95,970 to $169,990.
- About 48,800 people work in this job now, and about 51,400 are projected by 2035. (+5.4%)
- 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 Fundraising Manager?
Public relations and fundraising managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and some positions may require a master's degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.
How much does a Fundraising Manager earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $125,470 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $95,970 to $169,990.
Is a Fundraising Manager a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 48,800 to about 51,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Fundraising Manager?
Usually. 88% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Fundraising Manager?
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.