Fundraisers

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$64,160 Median Wage (2023)
10,000 Projected job openings (2023-2033)
5.9% Projected growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

  • Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • 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.
  • Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

  • Create marketing materials.
  • Promote educational institutions or programs.
  • Promote products, services, or programs.
  • Communicate organizational policies and procedures.
  • Communicate organizational information to customers or other stakeholders.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
  • Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
  • Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.
  • Direct or supervise fundraising staff, including volunteer staff members.
  • Establish fundraising or participation goals for special events or specified time periods.
  • Monitor progress of fundraising drives.
  • Recruit sponsors, participants, or volunteers for fundraising events.
  • Contact corporate representatives, government officials, or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes, activities, or needs.
  • Attend community events, meetings, or conferences to promote organizational goals or solicit donations or sponsorships.
  • Write reports or prepare presentations to communicate fundraising program data.
  • Explain the tax advantages of contributions to potential donors.
  • Design or produce materials such as posters, Web sites, or newsletters to promote, market, or advertise fundraising events.
  • Write speeches, press releases, or other promotional materials to increase awareness of the causes, missions, or goals of organizations seeking funds.
  • Monitor budgets, expense reports, or other financial data for fundraising organizations.
  • Plan and direct special events for fundraising, such as silent auctions, dances, golf events, or walks.
  • Direct or coordinate Web-based fundraising activities, such as online auctions or donation Web sites.
  • Secure speakers for charitable events, community meetings, or conferences to increase awareness of charitable, nonprofit, or political causes.
  • Develop corporate fundraising programs, such as employer gift-matching.
  • Coordinate transportation or delivery of materials, supplies, or donations for fundraising events.
  • Develop and maintain media contact lists.
  • Prepare materials such as fundraising envelopes, bid sheets, or gift bags for charitable events.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.