What Do Heads of Fundraising Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for heads of fundraising?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what heads of fundraising do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Heads of Fundraising Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about heads of fundraising by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Heads of Fundraising plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Popular Job Titles For Heads of Fundraising
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Fundraising Managers
- Fundraising Campaign Managers
- Fundraising Directors
- Fundraising Events Managers
- Directors of Fundraising and Marketing
- Directors of Development/Fundraising
- Fundraising and Development Interns
- Canvass Directors
- Fundraising Events Directors
- Community Relations Managers
- Fundraising and Events Interns
- Fundraising Associates
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for heads of fundraising can be found.
Best Industries for Heads of Fundraising
Heads of Fundraising Jobs By Industry
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 16.7%
- Grantmaking and Giving Services: 15.8%
- Religious Organizations: 9.6%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 8.1%
- Elementary and Secondary Schools: 5.4%
- Social Advocacy Organizations: 5.2%
- Other: 39.2%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of heads of fundraising can be found working in the Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools sector. In 2022, about 16.7% of all jobs for heads of fundraising were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Grantmaking and Giving Services (15.8%), Religious Organizations (9.6%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (8.1%), Elementary and Secondary Schools (5.4%) and Social Advocacy Organizations (5.2%).
What Do Heads of Fundraising Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what heads of fundraising do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work heads of fundraising do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that heads of fundraising tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for heads of fundraising, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Heads of Fundraising
Based on 2,031 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Heads of Fundraising
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 2,031 | 100% |
| Sales Prospecting | 847 | 42% |
| Marketing | 700 | 34% |
| Volunteer Management | 394 | 19% |
| Project Management | 375 | 18% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Heads of Fundraising
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 1,137 | 56% |
| Leadership | 830 | 41% |
| Management | 755 | 37% |
| Microsoft Office | 729 | 36% |
| Research | 674 | 33% |
Based on 2,031 job postings related to heads of fundraising, fundraising was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 100% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for sales prospecting, marketing, volunteer management, project management and revenue growth were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for heads of fundraising, followed by leadership, management, microsoft office, research and strategic planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 2,031 | 100% |
| Sales Prospecting | 847 | 42% |
| Marketing | 700 | 34% |
| Volunteer Management | 394 | 19% |
| Project Management | 375 | 18% |
| Revenue Growth | 368 | 18% |
| Health Research | 340 | 17% |
| Leukemia | 339 | 17% |
| Recruitment Planning | 291 | 14% |
| Customer Relationship Management | 259 | 13% |
| Social Media | 199 | 10% |
| Public Relations | 181 | 9% |
| Philanthropy | 180 | 9% |
| Salesforce | 176 | 9% |
| Newsletters | 172 | 8% |
| Raiser's Edge NXT | 159 | 8% |
| Event Planning | 157 | 8% |
| Marketing Communications | 145 | 7% |
| Appeals | 141 | 7% |
| Advertising Mail | 140 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 1,137 | 56% |
| Leadership | 830 | 41% |
| Management | 755 | 37% |
| Microsoft Office | 729 | 36% |
| Research | 674 | 33% |
| Strategic Planning | 592 | 29% |
| Writing | 570 | 28% |
| Planning | 543 | 27% |
| Innovation | 523 | 26% |
| Detail Oriented | 509 | 25% |
| Relationship Building | 453 | 22% |
| Sales | 414 | 20% |
| Timelines | 387 | 19% |
| Self-Motivation | 344 | 17% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 338 | 17% |
| Presentations | 331 | 16% |
| Customer Service | 319 | 16% |
| Organizational Skills | 303 | 15% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 302 | 15% |
| Microsoft Excel | 301 | 15% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Heads of Fundraising
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising Managers | 808 | 20.7% |
| Fundraising Campaign Managers | 1,261 | 32.2% |
| Fundraising Directors | 577 | 14.7% |
| Fundraising Events Managers | 209 | 5.3% |
| Directors of Fundraising and Marketing | 209 | 5.3% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was fundraising managers, with 449 unique job postings. Fundraising campaign managers were second, with 243 postings, followed by fundraising directors, fundraising events managers and directors of fundraising and marketing.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to heads of fundraising.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising Managers | 808 | 20.7% |
| Fundraising Campaign Managers | 1,261 | 32.2% |
| Fundraising Directors | 577 | 14.7% |
| Fundraising Events Managers | 209 | 5.3% |
| Directors of Fundraising and Marketing | 209 | 5.3% |
| Directors of Development/Fundraising | 158 | 4% |
| Fundraising and Development Interns | 72 | 1.8% |
| Canvass Directors | 236 | 6% |
| Fundraising Events Directors | 65 | 1.7% |
| Community Relations Managers | 57 | 1.5% |
| Fundraising and Events Interns | 72 | 1.8% |
| Fundraising Associates | 42 | 1.1% |
| Heads of Fundraising | 25 | 0.6% |
| Directors of Sponsorship | 37 | 0.9% |
| Fundraising Officers | 14 | 0.4% |
| Executive Directors of Development | 18 | 0.5% |
| Non-Profit Manager | 15 | 0.4% |
| Development/Fundraising Interns | 14 | 0.4% |
| Fundraising Campaign Assistants | 12 | 0.3% |
| Fundraising Specialists | 11 | 0.3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for heads of fundraising? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for heads of fundraising.
How much do heads of fundraising make?
Heads of Fundraising: How do you become one?
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