Should I be a fundraiser?

Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash

“Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.” – Hank Rosso

Do you want to make a difference in the world? Do you enjoy communicating with people? Are you willing to ask people for money?

If you answered yes, then you might be interested in a career as a fundraiser!

Raising funds is more than just asking for money!

Fundraisers are responsible for:

• Researching prospective donors using data

• Building relationships with donors over time

• Communicating the mission and impact of the organization

• Writing grants proposals, emails and reports

• Planning events and campaigns

• Maintaining records of donor information for legal regulations

• And of course: asking for donations!

Fundraisers work for non-profit organizations that rely on donations, grants, or other funds from the public.

Some places you can find fundraisers are:

• Educational institutions

• Religious organizations

• Healthcare providers

• Community and social service providers

• Political campaigns

Fundraisers usually work in a development department. Development refers to all aspects of a continuing fundraising program, which can include different methods of fundraising, research, and communications.

Some fundraisers choose to specialize in different areas, such as:

• Corporate giving: finding companies for donations and sponsorships

• Grant writing: writing proposals to agencies that distribute grant money

• Major gifts: soliciting the biggest donations for an organization, usually requiring lots of time and complicated negotiations

• Events: organizing events like silent auctions, charity balls, or festivals

Some fundraisers do all of the above, especially in smaller organizations.

Photo by David Travis on Unsplash

Most fundraisers have a bachelor’s degree in an area like communications, public relations, or business. These areas of study focus on strong written and verbal communication skills, persuasion skills, and attention to detail, which are all important qualities for a fundraiser.

Some fundraisers also pursue a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation. This designation is not required to become a fundraiser, but obtaining it can give you more credibility and improve your chances of career advancement.

Fundraising salaries can be dependent on location and specialization. Fundraisers who bring in “big bucks” or take on management roles can increase their salary significantly!

Fundraising is also an in-demand profession and expected to grow at a much faster rate than other professions over the next 10 years.

Average salary:

$59,610 per year USD

Average salary:

$50,951 per year CAD

You'll love fundraising if...

• You love advocating for good causes

• You're a strong and persuasive writer

• You're comfortable asking for donations

• You're meticulous with details and records keeping

Steer clear if...

• You prefer to work independently

• You don’t like writing or communicating

• The thought of sales or asking for money scares you

• You don’t like having to abide by lots of rules and regulations

Fern, Yaz, Kevin and Sam are graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Which of these four friends is best suited to pursue a career as a fundraiser?

Fern:

• passionate about social causes and volunteers at a community hospital

• enjoys helping people directly

• prefers speaking to writing

Kevin:

• part-time job in retail and sales

• loves meeting new people

• doesn't like numbers and details

Yaz:

• loves getting to know people and what matters to them

• ambitious and confident

• very organized with bills and receipts

Sam:

• loves creative writing

• expert at grammar and editing

• shy and reserved in social settings

Does being a fundraiser sound like your dream job?