Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Fundraising manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fundraising manager. Fundraising managers usually study business, communication, or political science. 77% of fundraising managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 491 real fundraising manager resumes to see exactly what fundraising manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for fundraising managers are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.
There are also many online fundraising manager courses to help get the education required to be a fundraising manager.
What education do you need to become a fundraising manager?
What degree do you need to be a fundraising manager?
- Bachelor's, 77%
- Associate, 9%
- Master's, 9%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a fundraising manager?
- Business, 21%
- Communication, 14%
- Political Science, 10%
- Marketing, 8%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for fundraising managers
| Fundraising manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.70% |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | 7.25% |
| San Francisco State University | 7.25% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 5.80% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.80% |
Best majors for fundraising managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 20.9% |
| 2 | Communication | 13.8% |
| 3 | Political Science | 10.0% |
| 4 | Marketing | 7.5% |
| 5 | Psychology | 5.9% |
Best colleges for fundraising managers
The best colleges for fundraising managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A fundraising manager 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 managers. 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 managers.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
10. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
20 best online courses for fundraising managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Fundraising and Development
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
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. Investment Banking and Finance: Venture Capital Fundraising
Investment Banking and Finance; Venture Capital Fundraising Pitching to Investors Angels, Venture Capital, Crowdfunding...
4. Digital Marketing For Non-Profits & Charities
Getting Started & Setting Priorities With Digital Marketing: Building An Audience, Communicating and Fundraising Online...
5. Financial Management
This Specialization covers the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including financial accounting, investments, and corporate finance. You will learn to evaluate major strategic corporate and investment decisions and to understand capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, and you will develop an integrated framework for value-based financial management and individual financial decision-making.\n\nThe Financial Management Specialization is part of the University...
6. Fundraising Advice from a Successful Venture Capitalist
By an Award Winning MBA Prof, IVY League MBA, former Goldman Employee with Hedge Fund & Venture Capital Experience...
7. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management
Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...
8. How to Throw Events and Attract Corporate Sponsors
48 Industry Secrets that Make You More Money and Get More People to Your Events...
9. Workplace Communication: You Can Speak Up at Meetings!
You Can Learn to Speak up At Anytime Knowing how To Look and Sound Your Best in Meetings...
10. Time Management Public Speaking - Drastically Reduce Prep
Time Management Public Speaking: You don't have to spend hours preparing your public speaking...
11. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
12. Advanced Product Management: Leadership & Communication
Accelerate your Product Management career. Master communication, people management, & leadership...
13. The Ultimate Guide to Professional Event Planning Management
Learn techniques to become an amazing event planner. You'll get all the skills you need for event management & planning...
14. How to Read Financial Statements: Build Financial Literacy.
Read financial statements and speak the language of business without the drudgery of a traditional accounting course...
15. Learn how to become an Event Planner
Join one of the most lucrative, and fastest growing industries... Learn how to become an Event Planner...
16. Financial Statement Analysis
Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...
17. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
18. Public Speaking: A tactical approach
This course will teach public speaking, communication skills and storytelling in an entirely new way...
19. Introduction to Online Community Management
Learn the basics of Online Community Management and get a head-start to your new career...
20. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers
Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fundraising managers
The most affordable schools for fundraising managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for fundraising managers 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 managers.
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. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fundraising managers
The hardest universities for fundraising managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for fundraising managers 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 managers 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fundraising managers
The easiest schools for fundraising managers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, holy names university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fundraising manager 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 managers.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average fundraising manager salary by education level
| Fundraising manager education level | Fundraising manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $93,317 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $84,170 |
Fundraising manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for fundraising manager jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025