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The differences between planned giving officers 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 planned giving officer and a director of special events. Additionally, a director of special events has an average salary of $63,671, which is higher than the $57,443 average annual salary of a planned giving officer.
The top three skills for a planned giving officer include alumni, powerpoint and appeals. The most important skills for a director of special events are event planning, alumni, and event management.
| Planned Giving Officer | Director Of Special Events | |
| Yearly salary | $57,443 | $63,671 |
| Hourly rate | $27.62 | $30.61 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 55,918 | 23,252 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Planned Giving Officers are responsible for evaluating, planning and implementing, and directing all aspects of their program. They are in charge of identifying prospects through direct mail programs and referrals from different sources. They deal with a wide range of donor cultivation, including working with the development staff to develop a planned giving as a strategic fundraising plan. They can work from their home offices and travel or work at the office, depending on the situation.
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.
Planned giving officers and directors of special events have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Planned Giving Officer | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average salary | $57,443 | $63,671 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $80,000 | Between $35,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Haven, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Rotary International | NRDC |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Professional |
There are a few differences between a planned giving officer and a director of special events in terms of educational background:
| Planned Giving Officer | Director Of Special Events | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between planned giving officers' and directors of special events' demographics:
| Planned Giving Officer | Director Of Special Events | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% 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% |