Hiring Fundraising Managers

What do fundraising managers do?

• Assign, supervise, and review the activities of fundraising staff.
• 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.
• Contact corporate representatives, government officials, or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes, activities, or needs.
• Design and edit promotional publications, such as brochures.
• Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 11-2033.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

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.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word for this role.

What do fundraising managers get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for fundraising managers in 77 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $78,360 to $170,780 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $117,790. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 11-2033.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for fundraising managers in this build is $170,780. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $34,156 to $51,234 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a fundraising managers search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.