Fundraisers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of fundraisers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for fundraisers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of fundraisers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for fundraisers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Fundraisers?
Do fundraisers need a degree? What kind of experience do fundraisers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for fundraisers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Fundraisers
Jobs Postings for Fundraisers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 14,322 (54%)
- No Education Listed: 5,536 (21%)
- Master's degree: 3,369 (13%)
- High School or GED: 2,709 (10%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 611 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of fundraisers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 54% of positions. In 21% of job listings no education level was listed and in 13% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Fundraisers
Jobs Postings for Fundraisers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 2,265 (16%)
- 2-3 Years: 7,409 (51%)
- 4-6 Years: 3,774 (26%)
- 7-9 Years: 682 (5%)
- 10+ Years: 409 (3%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for fundraisers. In 51% of job postings for Fundraisers, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 26% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 16% of job postings for fundraisers.
What Kind of Degree Do Fundraisers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for fundraisers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 12 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective fundraisers, and in 2023 a total of 79,818 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective fundraisers.
Top Degree Programs for Fundraisers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Fundraisers (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General. | 49,638 |
| Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies. | 9,123 |
| Public Relations/Image Management. | 4,513 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | 4,139 |
| Small Business Administration/Management. | 2,948 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General. | 49,638 |
| Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies. | 9,123 |
| Public Relations/Image Management. | 4,513 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | 4,139 |
| Small Business Administration/Management. | 2,948 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | 2,557 |
| Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management. | 2,481 |
| Organizational Communication, General. | 1,835 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other. | 1,470 |
| Meeting and Event Planning. | 759 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other. | 335 |
| Grantsmanship. | 20 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Fundraisers
Learn how to evaluate, support and integrate communications efforts to help move businesses in front of their competition, including executing strategic plans, developing print materials, and creating digital content in a variety of professional positions, such as PR specialist, copywriter and marketing coordinator.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Enter the exciting field of public relations by building knowledge and skills in a wide range of PR-related areas, including community outreach, media relations, events, publicity and more.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Learn to develop and maintain a positive public image for organizations by strengthening and maintaining external relationships.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Stand out with a specialized master’s degree focused entirely on strategically integrating marketing and communication.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your master's degree online and earn real-world skills to advance your career within public service.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Fundraisers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by fundraisers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for fundraisers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Fundraisers
Based on 22,426 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Fundraisers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 12,722 | 57% |
| Sales Prospecting | 7,750 | 35% |
| Marketing | 5,082 | 23% |
| Philanthropy | 3,678 | 16% |
| Project Management | 3,204 | 14% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Fundraisers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 12,705 | 57% |
| Writing | 8,514 | 38% |
| Management | 7,531 | 34% |
| Research | 7,527 | 34% |
| Leadership | 6,998 | 31% |
Based on 22,426 job postings related to fundraisers, fundraising was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 57% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for sales prospecting, marketing, philanthropy, project management and raiser's edge nxt were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for fundraisers, followed by writing, management, research, leadership and detail oriented.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 12,722 | 57% |
| Sales Prospecting | 7,750 | 35% |
| Marketing | 5,082 | 23% |
| Philanthropy | 3,678 | 16% |
| Project Management | 3,204 | 14% |
| Raiser's Edge NXT | 2,956 | 13% |
| Customer Relationship Management | 2,839 | 13% |
| Grant Writing | 2,833 | 13% |
| Planned Giving | 2,638 | 12% |
| Finance | 2,376 | 11% |
| Prospect Research | 2,056 | 9% |
| Administrative Support | 1,846 | 8% |
| Salesforce | 1,806 | 8% |
| Data Entry | 1,747 | 8% |
| Grant Applications | 1,722 | 8% |
| Public Relations | 1,469 | 7% |
| Accounting | 1,379 | 6% |
| Advertising Mail | 1,199 | 5% |
| Database Management | 1,186 | 5% |
| Event Planning | 1,177 | 5% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 12,705 | 57% |
| Writing | 8,514 | 38% |
| Management | 7,531 | 34% |
| Research | 7,527 | 34% |
| Leadership | 6,998 | 31% |
| Detail Oriented | 6,722 | 30% |
| Planning | 5,533 | 25% |
| Microsoft Office | 5,106 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 4,583 | 20% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 4,541 | 20% |
| Microsoft Excel | 4,461 | 20% |
| Customer Service | 4,322 | 19% |
| Organizational Skills | 3,754 | 17% |
| Self-Motivation | 3,545 | 16% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 3,358 | 15% |
| Operations | 3,285 | 15% |
| Sales | 3,226 | 14% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 3,089 | 14% |
| Time Management | 3,029 | 14% |
| Presentations | 3,008 | 13% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about fundraisers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for fundraisers.
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