Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between directors of philanthropy and directors of special events 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 director of special events. Additionally, a director of philanthropy has an average salary of $100,554, which is higher than the $63,671 average annual salary of a director of special events.
The top three skills for a director of philanthropy include donor relations, gift prospects and capital campaign. The most important skills for a director of special events are event planning, alumni, and event management.
| Director Of Philanthropy | Director Of Special Events | |
| Yearly salary | $100,554 | $63,671 |
| Hourly rate | $48.34 | $30.61 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 10,579 | 23,252 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| 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 director of special events spearheads and oversees the planning and execution of various events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They typically set goals and guidelines, manage schedules and timelines, outline plans and strategies, coordinate managers and different departments, and liaise with vendors and suppliers, building positive business relationships in the process. Moreover, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals while implementing and promoting the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Directors of philanthropy and directors of special events have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Philanthropy | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average salary | $100,554 | $63,671 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $157,000 | Between $35,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Carlos, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Marshall University | NRDC |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a director of philanthropy and a director of special events in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Philanthropy | Director Of Special Events | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of philanthropy' and directors of special events' demographics:
| Director Of Philanthropy | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.1% Female, 67.9% | Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9% |
| 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, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |