Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Professional fundraiser education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a professional fundraiser. Professional fundraisers usually study business, psychology, or communication. 45% of professional fundraisers hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 1,190 real professional fundraiser resumes to see exactly what professional fundraiser education sections show.
The most common colleges for professional fundraisers are the Eastern Illinois University and the Eastern Illinois University.
There are also many online professional fundraiser courses to help get the education required to be a professional fundraiser.
What education do you need to become a professional fundraiser?
What degree do you need to be a professional fundraiser?
- Bachelor's, 45%
- High School Diploma, 27%
- Associate, 15%
- Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a professional fundraiser?
- Business, 24%
- Psychology, 13%
- Communication, 7%
- General Studies, 6%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for professional fundraisers
| Professional fundraiser common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Eastern Illinois University | 15.69% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 7.84% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.84% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 6.86% |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 6.86% |
Best majors for professional fundraisers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 23.7% |
| 2 | Psychology | 12.8% |
| 3 | Communication | 6.9% |
| 4 | General Studies | 6.3% |
| 5 | Marketing | 5.6% |
Best colleges for professional fundraisers
The best colleges for professional fundraisers are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
A professional fundraiser with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for professional fundraisers. 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 professional fundraisers.
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 professional fundraisers
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. Computer Organization and How to Organize Computer Files
Discover how to create Virtual Filing Cabinets and how to organize everything on your computer. Go Paperless today...
4. Computer Architecture and Computer Organization Masterclass
Full Program: Computer Organization, Computer Architecture, Instruction Set, CPU, Memory Hierarchy (FREE Lecture Notes)...
5. CVS Health Call Center Customer Service
The demand for call center customer service representatives is huge, there are thousands of open job roles in the US alone. If you are someone that enjoys talking to people and solving problems and are ready for new experiences, then this program is right for you. Customer service in a call center is an exciting career where every day is a new day and a new adventure. If you're considering a career in retail customer service and you're someone who is passionate about providing exceptional...
6. Healthcare Organization Operations
The healthcare tetralogy specialization is intended for anyone interested in healthcare organization as practiced in the United States. A range of healthcare organizations are discussed (e.g., medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and public health). The specialization is particularly useful to anyone working in the healthcare industry who either has: 1) a developing interest in the issues important to the administration of healthcare organization operations; or 2) some expertise, but wishes an...
7. Computer Architecture & Organization Part 1: Cache Memory
Master Computer Architecture and Organization as it forms the core of computer science...
8. Cold Calling Mastery
Become fantastic at Cold Calling - making cold calls for lead generation, sales, & business development...
9. Getting Started with Call Center Training
Call Center Training is essential for both new hires and existing staff to sharpen their skills and feel motivated...
10. Navigating Office Politics: Get What You Want at Work
Learn how to gain influence and get more done in your organization by understanding and navigating office politics...
11. Real Organization: How to Declutter & Organize Any Space!
Let go of clutter and grab on to happy living. Learn a tested system! It includes real life before/after photographs...
12. Master Organization: Your Digital & Physical Stuff Organized
5 Courses in 1 Bundle: Get the Complete Digital and Physical Organization System So Everything in Your Life has a Home...
13. Learn Cold Calling Like the Wolf of Wall Street in 3 Days
Cold Calling Like Jordan Belfort: the Exact Blueprint (Including Script & Templates) to Close the Sale Within 3 Days...
14. International Politics Mastery: Levels of Analysis
Learn '3 Levels of Analysis' to speak confidently about international problems even without prior university education...
15. Digital Marketing For Non-Profits & Charities
Getting Started & Setting Priorities With Digital Marketing: Building An Audience, Communicating and Fundraising Online...
16. Organic Chemistry: Spectroscopy Master Class
Gain confidence in NMR (1H and 13C), IR, and MS with guided practice problems...
17. Winning Communication Skills for Telephone, Conference Calls
Improve Communication Skills - Use the Telephone Effectively! Avoid Phone Etiquette Blunders that Annoy...
18. Digital Declutter: Gain Control & Organization That Lasts!
Reduce Stress, Boost Productivity, & Save Time With This Proven Organization Methodology For Your Entire Digital World...
19. Investment Banking and Finance: Venture Capital Fundraising
Investment Banking and Finance; Venture Capital Fundraising Pitching to Investors Angels, Venture Capital, Crowdfunding...
20. Cold Calling for B2B Sales: How to Prospect over the Phone
B2B Sales Skill: How to Cold Call over the Phone with Purpose, Navigate through Gatekeepers and Set Client Meetings...
Top 10 most affordable universities for professional fundraisers
The most affordable schools for professional fundraisers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for professional fundraisers 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 professional fundraisers.
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 professional fundraisers
The hardest universities for professional fundraisers to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for professional fundraisers 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 professional fundraisers 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 professional fundraisers
The easiest schools for professional fundraisers 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 professional fundraiser 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 professional fundraisers.
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 professional fundraiser salary by education level
| Professional fundraiser education level | Professional fundraiser salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $49,511 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,753 |
Professional fundraiser education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.
Search for professional fundraiser jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025