Non-Profit Fundraiser Careers Information
Nonprofit fundraisers are the lifeblood of a nonprofit organization, be it one that supports the arts or works to alleviate social ills. Even though they do not seek to make money like a normal business, nonprofits still have expenses like them. Nonprofit fundraisers use their communication skills and outgoing natures to drum up the financial support necessary to keep their organizations solvent.
Non-Profit Fundraiser Careers & Degrees
- Grand Canyon University: Online
Art Institute of Pittsburgh: Online
American Intercontinental University: Online
Nonprofit fundraisers secure money in many ways. They may ask community members for direct donations, endowments, and bequests. They may also put on events, such as a concert or charity ball, with the intent to generate publicity as well as money. They may apply for grants, either alone or with the help of a grant writer. Finally, they may put together mass marketing campaigns, involving mailings and phone calls.
Non-Profit Fundraiser Careers Path
Most nonprofit fundraisers have a Bachelor’s degree in English, marketing, or public relations, but no specific degree is required. Because of the myriad tax laws concerning charitable giving, many nonprofit fundraisers have some legal training. Experience working for nonprofits is very valuable, so volunteering and internships may be useful to someone trying to get started.
Non-Profit Fundraiser Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Excellent communicator, highly organized, excellent writer, people person, passion for nonprofit work, outgoing, work well with a variety of task, good under pressure.
Non-Profit Fundraiser Careers: Salary Expectations
For all types of fundraisers with less than 3 years experience, the average salary is $33,000 to $40,000 year. For those with 10 to 14 years, the average salary is $50,000 to $60,000 a year. In general, salaries for positions in nonprofit organizations are lower than comparable positions in the for-profit world. Many nonprofits, however, offer comparable benefits and some are able to compete with for-profit companies in terms of wages.
Non-Profit Fundraiser Careers: Job Outlook
As long as nonprofit organizations exist, they will need fundraisers to help bring in money. Due to high turnover in nonprofit work, a person with the right experience and skill set should have a good chance of finding a position, though that person may have to start a lower level job and work up.
Those who specialize in fundraising for nonprofit arts groups may find their positions more precarious than their social improvement organization counterparts since grants and charitable giving for the arts are often the first thing cut from budgets during economic downturns.
Slightly off the Footpath
Sources: bls.gov/opub/ooq/2001/summer/art02.pdf; bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs054.htm
