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The differences between directors of philanthropy and communications directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a director of philanthropy and a communications director. Additionally, a communications director has an average salary of $107,700, which is higher than the $100,554 average annual salary of a director of philanthropy.
The top three skills for a director of philanthropy include donor relations, gift prospects and capital campaign. The most important skills for a communications director are web content, press releases, and customer service.
| Director Of Philanthropy | Communications Director | |
| Yearly salary | $100,554 | $107,700 |
| Hourly rate | $48.34 | $51.78 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 10,579 | 27,939 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A director of philanthropy spearheads and oversees outreach programs for communities and families. They usually work at charities and other non-profit organizations where they take the lead in conducting research and analyses, developing and implementing outreach plans, coordinating volunteer services, and negotiating with potential sponsors and donors, building positive relationships in the process. They may also participate in reaching out to communities and families who need different kinds of assistance, training volunteers, and solving issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a philanthropy director creates strategies to reach fundraising goals and develop revenue to sustain the organization.
A communications director is responsible for monitoring and supervising the overall media relations from internal to external communications. A communications director's duties include managing campaigns, providing organizational updates to the employees, supporting social media marketing, developing effective communication strategies to build the organization's reputation, and efficiently leading team members in handling events that represent the business. Communications directors must have strong leadership and communication skills to provide support for the company's daily operations and strategies.
Directors of philanthropy and communications directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Philanthropy | Communications Director | |
| Average salary | $100,554 | $107,700 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $157,000 | Between $61,000 And $188,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Carlos, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Marshall University | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a director of philanthropy and a communications director in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Philanthropy | Communications Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of philanthropy' and communications directors' demographics:
| Director Of Philanthropy | Communications Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.1% Female, 67.9% | Male, 40.2% Female, 59.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |