Fundraising Managers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Fundraising Managers fall under the Management category in the U.S. occupational classification. Fundraising Managers earn a median salary of $123,480 per year, ranking in the top 6% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do fundraising managers earn?

The median annual wage for fundraising managers is $123,480. That puts fundraising managers at #48 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is fundraising managers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for fundraising managers is +4.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 45K positions in 2024 to 47K in 2034, a net change of 2K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do fundraising managers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working fundraising managers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Manage fundraising budgets.
2. 2.Contact corporate representatives, government officials, or community leaders to increase awareness of organizational causes, activities, or needs.
3. 3.Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs.
4. 4.Establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.
5. 5.Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
6. 6.Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
7. 7.Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
8. 8.Evaluate advertising and promotion programs for compatibility with fundraising efforts.

Top skills for fundraising managers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become fundraising manager?

The standard path into fundraising managers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about fundraising managers