Career Trends: Fundraisers

Fundraisers organize events and campaigns to raise money and other donations for an organization. They may design promotional materials and increase awareness of an organization’s work, goals, and financial needs.

Fundraisers work primarily for nonprofit organizations, including educational institutions, religious organizations, health research foundations, social services organizations, and political campaigns. Although most work full time during regular business hours, some may work additional hours to meet deadlines.

Fundraisers typically need a bachelor’s degree and strong communication and organizational skills. Employers generally prefer candidates who have studied public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.

Employment of fundraisers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Strong employment growth driven by the continued need to raise money should result in good job opportunities.

This occupation supported 65,700 jobs in 2012 and 73,400 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 11.7%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 17.4% in 2022 to 77,100 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 67,900, compared with an observed value of 73,400, 8.1% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 10.5% in 2024 to 80,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 79,300 jobs for 2024, 1.2% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.