Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Contract Grant Writer
- Development Officer
- Fundraising Consultant
- Philanthropy Officer
Alternate Job Titles
- Annual Giving Coordinator
- Annual Giving Officer
- Campaign Fundraiser
- Capital Campaign Fundraiser
- Community Fundraiser
- Contract Grant Writer
- Development Associate
- Development Coordinator
- Development Officer
- Direct Response Consultant
- Donation Coordinator
- Donation Specialist
- Donor Officer
- Donor Relations Officer
- Donor Specialist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Persuasion
- Critical Thinking
- Negotiation
- Coordination
- Social Perceptiveness
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Fluency of Ideas
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Social Orientation
- Achievement Orientation
- Optimism
- Dependability
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Salesforce software
- Structured query language SQL
Tools & Equipment
- Computer laser printers
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Passenger cars
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Tablet computers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $43,200 |
| Median | $66,490 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $106,960 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 105,930
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Fundraising Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $123,480
Public Relations Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $69,780
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $126,960
Social and Community Service Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $78,240
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $59,440
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.