Fundraising Managers earn a median of $125,470 per year ($60.32/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.4% through 2035, with about 3,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 11-2033
- Management
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Fundraising Manager in four numbers
- Median pay
- $125,470a year, or $60.32/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $75KTop 10% $222K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.4%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,70048,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202548.8K
- Projected 203551.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 48.8K Projected 2035 51.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college19.7%
- Associate's3.9%
- Bachelor's65.5%
- Master's10.9%
Highest education held by fundraising managers Segment Value Some college 19.7% Associate's 3.9% Bachelor's 65.5% Master's 10.9%
Also advertised as: Advancement Director, Annual Giving Director, Development Director, Donor Engagement Director, Foundation Director, Fundraising Manager.
Pay
How much do Fundraising Managers make?
Every fundraising manager in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$125,470
Middle half earn $95,970 to $169,990
- 10th
- $75,130
- 25th
- $95,970
- 75th
- $169,990
- 90th
- $222,350
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $75,130 |
| 25th | $95,970 |
| Median | $125,470 |
| 75th | $169,990 |
| 90th | $222,350 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $125,470
- Median hourly wage
- $60.32/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $140,020
- People employed
- 38,810
Versus all US occupations
At $125,470, Fundraising Managers earn 146% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $74,490 a year.
Versus management occupations
The median is typical for the Management group, where the middle occupation pays $126,060.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $222,350 or more while the bottom 10% earn $75,130, a gap of 3.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 86% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $169,510, and still leads at $157,069 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Fundraising Managers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $169,510 | $157,069 | 4,080 |
| 2New Hampshire | $157,080 | $150,799 | 270 |
| 3Rhode Island | $155,970 | $152,493 | 220 |
| 4Massachusetts | $151,740 | $143,480 | 2,260 |
| 5Virginia | $143,730 | $142,161 | 880 |
| 6District of Columbia | $141,720 | $128,952 | 800 |
| 7New Jersey | $140,500 | $129,130 | 750 |
| 8Washington | $137,010 | $128,031 | 1,050 |
| 9California | $135,870 | $122,715 | 5,430 |
| 10Delaware | $131,750 | $132,003 | 120 |
Job outlook
Is Fundraising Manager a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Fundraising Managers | +5.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Fundraising Managers to change 5.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,700 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 48,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of public relations and fundraising managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Organizations continue to emphasize community outreach and customer relations as a way to enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly as social media increases the speed at which news travels. Consequently, public relations managers will be needed to coordinate and help respond to news developments to maintain their organization’s reputation.
Fundraising managers are expected to remain important for organizations, such as colleges and universities, that depend heavily on donations. More nonprofit organizations are focusing on cultivating an online presence and are increasingly using social media for fundraising activities.
Getting in
How to become a Fundraising Manager
Public relations and fundraising managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, and some positions may require a master’s degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as fundraising managers.
- Bachelor's Degree65.5%
- Some College Courses19.7%
- Master's Degree10.9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 65.5% |
| Some College Courses | 19.7% |
| Master's Degree | 10.9% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 3.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Fundraising Manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.
Day-to-day tasks
- Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new fundraising opportunities.
- Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
- Plan and direct special events for fundraising, such as silent auctions, dances, golf events, or walks.
- Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.
- Manage fundraising budgets.
- Contact corporate representatives, government officials, or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes, activities, or needs.
- Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most public relations and fundraising managers work full time, which often includes long workdays. Some managers work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where fundraising managers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations36%
- Educational services; state, local, and private33%
- Social assistance7%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation5%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 36% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 33% |
| Social assistance | 7% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 5% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.9
- Active Learning3.4
- Monitoring3.1
- Mathematics3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Persuasion4.0
- Coordination3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Time Management3.5
- Negotiation3.4
- Service Orientation3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Persuasion | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.5 |
| Negotiation | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Data mining software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Fundraising Manager?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Fundraising Manager |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 7 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising7.0
- Conventional4.8
- Social3.8
- Artistic2.6
- Investigative2.4
- Realistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Fundraising Manager
O*NET related occupations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Management
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Management
- Management
- Management
More management careers
Median annual pay, with fundraising managers highlighted
- IT Manager$175,140
- Marketing Manager$166,790
- Financial Manager$166,570
- Human Resources Manager$149,280
- Sales Manager$148,270
- Fundraising Manager$125,470
- Construction Manager$114,990
- Supply Chain Manager$107,230
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager$69,990
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $175,140 |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 |
| Fundraising Manager | $125,470 |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $107,230 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager | $69,990 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Fundraising Manager appears on
Questions
Fundraising Manager: frequently asked questions
How much do Fundraising Managers make?
Fundraising Managers earn a median of $125,470 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 146% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $60.32/hr. The middle half earn between $95,970 and $169,990. The top 10% earn $222,350 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Fundraising Manager?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Fundraising Managers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 65.5% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Fundraising Manager a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.4% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Fundraising Manager do?
Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. A core O*NET task: develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions. Employers most often ask for Cloud-based data access and sharing software, Customer relationship management CRM software, Data base management system software.
Which states pay Fundraising Managers the most?
The highest state medians for Fundraising Managers are New York ($169,510), New Hampshire ($157,080), Rhode Island ($155,970) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Fundraising Manager?
O*NET scores Fundraising Managers highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ENFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.