Post job

Fundraising chairperson education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a fundraising chairperson. Fundraising chairpeople usually study business, psychology, or marketing. 82% of fundraising chairpeople hold a bachelor's degree, and 7% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,066 real fundraising chairperson resumes to see exactly what fundraising chairperson education sections show.

The most common colleges for fundraising chairpeople are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.

There are also many online fundraising chairperson courses to help get the education required to be a fundraising chairperson.

What education do you need to become a fundraising chairperson?

What degree do you need to be a fundraising chairperson?

The most common degree for fundraising chairpeople is bachelor's degree, with 82% of fundraising chairpeople earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 7% and associate degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 82%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Master's, 6%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a fundraising chairperson?

You should major in business to become a fundraising chairperson. 20% of fundraising chairpeople major in business. Other common majors for a fundraising chairperson include psychology and marketing.

Most common colleges for fundraising chairpeople

Fundraising chairpeople often get their degrees at Pennsylvania State University, Florida State University, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for fundraising chairpeople in the US based on their resumes.
Fundraising chairperson common collegePercentages
Pennsylvania State University13.18%
Florida State University7.24%
University of California - Davis6.72%
University of California, Santa Barbara6.46%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey5.94%

Best majors for fundraising chairpeople

RankMajorPercentages
1Business19.7%
2Psychology12.4%
3Marketing8.3%
4Communication8.1%
5Biology7.0%

Best colleges for fundraising chairpeople

The best colleges for fundraising chairpeople are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.

A fundraising chairperson with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fundraising chairpeople. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fundraising chairpeople.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

8. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

10. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

20 best online courses for fundraising chairpeople

Advertising disclosure

1. Fundraising and Development

coursera

Charitable giving is rebounding as the economy improves. Yet there is a shortage of qualified fundraising professionals to help organizations connect their needs with potential donors. Through four courses, you will gain the knowledge and skills to begin or advance your career in the high demand field of fundraising and development. This Specialization is designed to meet the rising demand for trained fundraising professionals...

2. Create a fundraising page on KissKissBankBank

coursera

At the end of this project, you will learn how to create a fundraising page on KissKissBankBank for personal or professional purposes. This Guided Project is an introduction to KissKissBankBank and is designed for people who want to have their own fundraising page for a non-profit, charity, social enterprise, community project, or to support someone in need. KissKissBankBank offers an online platform to create fundraising, on a small or large scale, which brings together a large community with...

3. Learn how to become an Event Planner

udemy
4.7
(596)

Join one of the most lucrative, and fastest growing industries... Learn how to become an Event Planner...

4. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

udemy
4.7
(2,141)

Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

5. Minute Taking at Meetings

udemy
4.4
(5,774)

Minute Taking: making the taking of notes/minutes at formal and informal meetings easier...

6. Business English for Meetings

udemy
4.6
(981)

Useful English Phrases for Communicating with Confidence in Business Meetings...

7. Investment Banking and Finance: Venture Capital Fundraising

udemy
4.6
(588)

Investment Banking and Finance; Venture Capital Fundraising Pitching to Investors Angels, Venture Capital, Crowdfunding...

8. How to Throw Events and Attract Corporate Sponsors

udemy
4.8
(334)

48 Industry Secrets that Make You More Money and Get More People to Your Events...

9. Selling Sponsorships for Meetings, Events & Nonprofits

udemy
4
(388)

Learn from a 20-year sponsorship expert how to build & sell a campaign that attracts sponsors & maximizes your revenue!...

10. Leading Effective Meetings - You Can Lead Effective Meetings

udemy
4.4
(1,157)

Learn How to Plan Effective Meetings, Run Effective Meetings and Generate Results After Your Meetings...

11. Better Virtual Meetings: How to Lead Effective Meetings

udemy
4.5
(14,025)

Learn the basics of facilitation and minute taking at meetings to save time, improve communication, and get things done...

12. The Ultimate Guide to Professional Event Planning Management

udemy
4.4
(402)

Learn techniques to become an amazing event planner. You'll get all the skills you need for event management & planning...

13. Leading Effective Meetings: Beginner's Guide

udemy
4.5
(2,195)

Learn how to successfully lead meetings that boost motivation and productivity while using time effectively...

14. Managing Difficult Meeting Participants

udemy
4.2
(639)

Dealing with Negativism and Other Difficult Behaviors of Meeting Participants...

15. Event Management for Beginners

udemy
4.5
(1,125)

Learn the process for creating great events...

16. Workplace Communication: You Can Speak Up at Meetings!

udemy
4.6
(24,087)

You Can Learn to Speak up At Anytime Knowing how To Look and Sound Your Best in Meetings...

17. Leading Effective Meetings

udemy
4.5
(5,078)

Learn how to effectively plan, run, & manage meetings of any kind. Increase your team's productivity & participation...

18. Fundraising Advice from a Successful Venture Capitalist

udemy
4.7
(331)

By an Award Winning MBA Prof, IVY League MBA, former Goldman Employee with Hedge Fund & Venture Capital Experience...

19. How to Run truly Productive Meetings - and add value

udemy
4.4
(2,879)

Learn to Run Great Meetings, Raise Your Profile and Boost Productivity...

20. Make Meetings Work & Tackle Time Management Troubles

udemy
4.5
(19,644)

Manage your time and conduct the best meeting possible with these techniques and goals...

Top 10 most affordable universities for fundraising chairpeople

The most affordable schools for fundraising chairpeople are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for fundraising chairpeople are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fundraising chairpeople.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

10. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fundraising chairpeople

The hardest universities for fundraising chairpeople to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for fundraising chairpeople are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fundraising chairpeople based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fundraising chairpeople

The easiest schools for fundraising chairpeople to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fundraising chairperson without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fundraising chairpeople.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

10. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

Average fundraising chairperson salary by education level

According to our data, fundraising chairpeople with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $43,970 annually. Fundraising chairpeople with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $39,474.
Fundraising chairperson education levelFundraising chairperson salary
Master's Degree$43,970
Bachelor's Degree$39,474

Fundraising chairperson education FAQs

Search for fundraising chairperson jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse business and financial jobs