How to hire a fundraising specialist

How to hire a fundraising specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fundraising specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fundraising specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fundraising specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The fundraising specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A fundraising specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fundraising specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents fundraising specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Fundraising Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Fundraising Specialist	Fundraisers organize events and campaigns to raise money and other donations for an organization. They may design promotional materials and increase awareness of an organization’s work, goals, and financial needs.	$14-40
   Director Of Capital Giving	A director of capital giving oversees program operations to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently according to company standards and regulations. They primarily set goals and protocols, establish timelines and budgets, perform market research and analyses, review and assess applications, and make decisions... Show more	$32-71
   Major Donor Coordinator	The major function of a donor coordinator is to oversee the full implementation of activities such as fundraising or gift-giving. They manage all the transactions of the clients, donors, and volunteers, depending on the organization... Show more	$16-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Event Planning
   • Fundraising Strategy
   • Community Outreach
   • Alumni Events
   • Non-Profit Organization
   • Outbound Calls
   • Customer Service
   • Donor Database
   • Fundraising Campaigns
   • Financial Support
   • Promotional Materials
   • Cold Calls
   • Press Releases
   • Data Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage monthly progress meetings and promote education and leadership opportunities through skill-building activities.
   • Conduct research using online federal regulations, review Medicare and Medicaid policy and guidelines to complete an accurate and well-support decision.
   • Canvase door-to-door seeking donations for the DNC.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fundraising specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fundraising specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fundraising specialists' average salary in nebraska is 56% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fundraising specialists 63% less than senior-level fundraising specialists.
   • Certifications. A fundraising specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fundraising specialist's salary.

   Average fundraising specialist salary

   $51,507yearly

   $24.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fundraising specialist salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a fundraising specialist job description

   A good fundraising specialist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fundraising specialist job description:

   Fundraising specialist job description example

   Why LLS
   
   How many people can answer the question, "What do you do for a living?" with the answer, "I help find cures for cancer." At LLS, employees take our mission seriously. Whether you work in one of our chapters, are an accountant at the national office or a specialist in our Information Resource Center, you work each day on making our mission a reality: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.Join us and give new meaning to the word, "job."
   
   Overview
   
   As part of a mission centric, locally delivered and nationally powered organization this role is responsible for logistics, data management and coordination for LLS designated market and peer to peer fundraising products to exceed revenue goals for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) mission,within a designated market area. Relentlessly pursuing cancer cures.
   
   As a valued member of LLS, you are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 403b retirement plan along with generous paid time off. In addition, we observe federal paid holidays throughout the year, and offer a wellness program and an employee assistance program.
   
   All LLS employees are required to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 before beginning work at LLS unless a valid medical, religious, or other exemption is approved consistent with applicable law.
   
   While employees may be permitted to work remotely, travel to the assigned office, HUB or Satellite Offices may be required as determined by the employee's manager and the employee's Strategic Talent Partner.
   
   Additional Position Information
   
   All LLS employees are required to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 before beginning work at LLS unless a valid medical, religious, or other exemption is approved consistent with applicable law.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Accountabilities:
   
   Mission Integration
   
   + Partner with Education Services and Health Research department to effectively communicate the LLS overall mission, programs, resources and priorities.
   
   Event Logistics
   
   + Act as an on-site manager during the campaign fundraising event, overseeing activities, staff, vendors, and volunteers to ensure satisfaction of participants, and resolutions of problems
   
   + Oversee logistics, timelines and other operational elements for assigned fundraising campaigns
   
   + Provide input into the development ofa strategic plan for the peer to peer fundraising products, including revenue, budget, goals and timelines.
   
   + Responsible for managing expense budgets as related to logistics
   
   + Research and recommend event venues and location sites based on campaign standards and in coordination with National Shared Services, Logistics Team.
   
   Volunteer Development
   
   + Responsible for assigned peer to peer fundraising teams to achieve overall revenue goals
   
   + Works in conjunction with Volunteer Coordinator and collaborate with local relationship team and national shared service partners throughout LLS.
   
   Data Management
   
   + Manage data entry to ensure CRM and fundraising systems are accurate. Update systems in a timely manner. Provides reports to fundraising relationship team as needed
   
   + Connect with vendors to secure the best rate or in-kind donation of services as needed.
   
   #LI-Hybrid
   
   Qualifications
   
   Education & Experience Requirements:
   
   + Bachelor's Degree Preferred
   
   + 1-3years of experience
   
   + Knowledge of MS Office Suite
   
   + Demonstrated knowledge and use of digital, social media & emerging online channels
   
   Physical Demands & Work Environment:
   
   + Physical demands are minimal and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations
   
   + Work environment is representative and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations
   
   + May be required to move Campaign materials weighing up to 15 pounds for various events
   
   + Travel within designated area.
   
   + Required to work some evenings or weekends.
   
   Disclaimer
   
   LLS is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in its workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender, gender identity and expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, race, color, creed, national origin/ancestry, citizenship, religion, genetic predisposition or information, physical or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. LLS seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission and where they will join a cohort of others who have chosen to call LLS home. LLS complies with all applicable laws which prohibit discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment supportive of all of our employees and the communities we serve. **All LLS employees are required to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 before beginning work at LLS unless a valid medical, religious, or other exemption is approved consistent with applicable law.**
   
   Job LocationsUS-FL-Tampa | US-FL-Orlando | US-FL-Jacksonville
   
   
   # of Openings 2
   
   Category Sales/Business Development
   
   FLSA Status Non-Exempt
   
   Type Full Time Regular

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find fundraising specialists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fundraising specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit fundraising specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with fundraising specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fundraising specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the fundraising specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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