Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Fundraiser Fundraisers typically need a bachelor's degree and strong communication skills. Fundraisers typically need a bachelor’s degree and strong communication and organizational skills. 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.
Education
Fundraisers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Although they may have a variety of academic backgrounds, common fields of degree include communications, business, and social science. Other Experience Having previous experience with fundraising is often important, even if in a position other than full-time employment. For example, completing an internship while in school or volunteering to help with fundraising campaigns at a nonprofit organization are ways to gain experience with this type of work.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Laws vary by state, but states may require some types of fundraisers to register with a state authority. Check with your state for more information.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of fundraisers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 10,000 openings for fundraisers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Employment growth is expected to be driven by the continued need of nonprofit organizations to collect donations in order to run their operations. Many nonprofit organizations are focusing on cultivating an online presence and are using social media for fundraising activities. As a result, fundraisers should continue to be needed to use social media platforms to connect with potential donors and to spread their organization’s message. Fundraisers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Fundraisers 6% Business operations specialists 6% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Fundraisers Do
Fundraisers organize activities to raise money and other kinds of donations for an organization. They also may design promotional materials and increase awareness of an organization’s work, goals, and financial needs.
Duties
Fundraisers typically do the following:
- Research prospective donors
- Create a strong fundraising message that appeals to potential donors
- Identify and contact potential donors
- Use online platforms to raise donations
- Organize campaigns or events to solicit donations
- Maintain records of donor information
- Evaluate the success of previous fundraising events
- Train volunteers in fundraising procedures and practices
- Ensure that all legal reporting requirements are satisfied
Fundraisers plan and oversee events and drives to raise monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. They ensure that these efforts are effective by researching potential donors and examining records of those who have given in the past.
They also develop strategies for using social media and other digital platforms to connect with potential donors and to raise awareness of their organization’s work and goals.
Fundraisers who work for political campaigns must be knowledgeable about campaign finance laws, such as the contribution limits of an individual giving to a specific candidate.
The following are examples of types of fundraising appeals:
Annual campaigns solicit donations once a year for an organization. Many nonprofit organizations have annual giving campaigns.
Capital campaigns raise money for a specific project within a set timeframe, such as the construction of a new building at a university. Capital campaigns also raise money for renovations and the creation or expansion of an endowment.
Major gifts are large amounts of money from a single source. These gifts are usually the largest sole contribution an organization receives during its annual donation cycle.
Planned giving includes promised contributions from donors who pledge money to be paid at a future date or in installments over time. Fundraisers who focus on planned giving must have specialized training in taxes regarding gifts of stocks, bonds, charitable annuities, and real estate bequests in a will.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Fundraisers held about 140,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of fundraisers were as follows:
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 41% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 25 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 16 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 6 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 3 |
Most fundraisers raise funds for an organization that employs them directly, although some fundraisers work for consulting firms that have many clients.
Fundraisers spend much of their time communicating with potential donors, whether in person, on phone calls, or some other way, such as through email. Fundraisers may travel to meet with donors and to attend charity runs or walks, galas, concerts, and other fundraising events.
Work Schedules
Most fundraisers work full time. Some attend fundraising events in the evenings or on weekends, possibly requiring additional hours.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Fundraisers need to clearly explain the message and goals of their organization to prospective donors. Decision-making skills. Fundraisers must evaluate options and choose appropriate solicitation methods for various donors. Detail oriented. Fundraisers deal with large volumes of data, including lists of people’s names and phone numbers, and must comply with state and federal regulations. Failing to do so may result in penalties. Interpersonal skills. Fundraisers need to develop and maintain relationships with donors. Organizational skills. Fundraisers manage large campaigns and events. They must have strong planning and organizational skills in order to succeed.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fundraisers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.