Job Responsibilities
Recruit, trainm and manage alumni volunteers to raise revenue and
participation for college annual fund. Develop strategies to
communicate with several alumni classes. Solicit gifts from top
prospects (typically $2500+ unless alumni are less than 10 yrs
out) and create stewardship opportunities, such as letters,
events, and gifts. Depending on the school more or less time
will be spent on solicitation vs. volunteer management.
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Job Requirements
Many fundraisers have no formal training- backgrounds range from
education, psych, finance, or social sciences. Experience with
marketing or communications is helpful, but for most positions
the emphasis is on the ability to relate with diverse groups and
comfort discussing finances.
Bachelor's degree is a must. There are programs offered by some
national groups for certification in fundraising, but many gain
on the job experience supplemented by attendance at conferences
by CASE and other groups. Starting positions may include long
hours at call-centers or positions in small offices focused on
securing small gifts.
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Uppers
Lots of contact with volunteers committed to an institution/organization;
ability to set and implement a strategy independently; huge job market- easy to
find similar employment across US and is a developing field in other countries.
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Downers
Can often involve lots of travel; may involve working with lots
of alumni you never meet face to face; can become a "dumping
ground" for everyone's issues with the organization
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Lifestyle
Annual giving works quickly- you have 12 mos. to meet all of your goals before
you start over again. The plus side is that you always have a "fresh" start w/
the new fiscal year. The down side is that there's a lot of pressure throughout
the second half of the year as the clock ticks. Typically 40-50hrs of work- more
depending on the school and travel schedule. Must be comfortable responding
quickly to VPs and constituents. Most offices are not quite as formal as corp.
america, but suits, dress pants/skirts are the norm. Lots of women, fewer people
of color in the field, but growing and many are actively seeking people of color.
Experience in educational admin. is a plus. The environment is usually more
relaxed, but focused on obtaining goals. Having a balanced life is important to
most and it's very much possible for those who want it.
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Compensation
Educational fundraising can pay well, but it's very dependent on
the school. Salaries can range from high 20s for someone working
in the call center (telemarketing)to 100K + for VPs. Average for
mid-level annual fundraisers is around 50-70K. Bonuses aren't
the norm, but schools usually offer additional benefits like
health clubs, health benefits, vacation days, and tuition
remission for you or dependents.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Shop around- the specifics vary greatly between schools- some
focus more on development of strategy, volunteer management, or
solicitation. Smaller schools often focus solely on direct mail,
leaving less room for independent thought and analysis. Larger
shops have more specialized positions and can offer the
opportunity to develop or refine particular skills- they often
pay better as well.
A quick look at The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Chronicle of
Higher Ed. and CASE.org shows a healthy level of job openings
across the country, and the annual fund is the best place to
start a career in fundraising. Attending a conference and
reaching out to someone who's currently in the biz is highly
recommended. Fundraisers love to be of assistance (it's our job
to help folks live out their dreams) so don't be afraid to ask
one for an informational interview.
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