Staffing & Resourcing

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

_{^INTRODUCTION}_^|_{^{FUNDRAISING OPERATIONS}}_^|_{^{STAFFING & RESOURCING}}_^|_{^{DONOR DATA, AI, & INNOVATION}}_^|_{^{LOOKING AHEAD}}_^|_{^{ABOUT US}}

^{WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITY AREAS OF TODAY’S FUNDRAISERS?}

While Organizations Prioritize Direct Fundraising Competency, Fundraisers Feel Most Competent in Event Planning and Donor Communications

While organizations emphasize direct fundraising skills in their hiring efforts, nearly all fundraisers report feeling most confident in event planning and donor communications, with 81% and 78%, respectively, claiming to be mostly or completely knowledgeable. The renewed focus on event planning reflects donor retention trends, underscoring the value of in-person engagement for fostering deeper connections.

Leverage These Fundraising Event Tips to Execute Meaningful and Engaging Gatherings

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^{HOW ARE EVOLVING PRACTICES INFLUENCING SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG STAFF?}

Trending Fundraising Practices Shaping Fundraising Staff Competencies

EVENT PLANNING

The resurgence of in-person events is driving a rise in competencies related to event logistics and donor engagement.
Fundraisers are developing stronger skills in creating memorable experiences that deepen donor relationships.

DONOR COMMUNICATIONS

There is an increasing focus on targeted, personalized communications with donors.
The use of AI tools for segmentation and tailored messaging reflects growing proficiency in donor communications, enhancing engagement.

BOARD RELATIONS

Board members are crucial in providing strategic guidance, financial oversight, and networking opportunities.
The growing competency in board relations underscores nonprofits’ focus on leveraging board expertise to drive organizational strategy and fundraising efforts.

Are your board members engaged in your fundraising efforts?

Yes
No
Could be more involved

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^{HOW ARE EVOLVING PRACTICES INFLUENCING SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG STAFF?}

Staff Hiring Has Seen Moderate Declines, Pointing to Budget Limitations & Qualification Challenges

Fewer organizations (23%) increased their staffing in 2024 compared to 2023 (33%), with most organizations responding that fundraising staffing levels remained the same (59%). About one-fifth had fewer staff compared with the prior year. The rationale stems from limited salary budgets and difficulties in finding qualified candidates. This is further compounded by nearly one-third (28%) of organizations citing a lack of internal growth opportunities and high turnover rates, which have intensified hiring challenges.

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^{HOW ARE ORGANIZATIONS INVESTING IN THEIR FUNDRAISING STAFF?}

Despite Challenges in Hiring, More than ¾ of Organizations Prioritized Investing In Their Fundraising Staff in The Past Year

Organizations rely most on professional development opportunities (44%) or remote and hybrid work schedules (41%). Others provide competitive compensation (25%), team-building activities (14%), or other non-salary benefits such as volunteer days (11%) to develop fundraising staff.

Discover 10 Tips for Fundraisers

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^{GLOBAL INSIGHT}

7 out of 10 Organizations That Expanded Their Fundraising Staff Pay by 10% or More Saw Financial Gains

Over the past three years, half of the organizations raised their fundraising staff pay by 4% or more, with 4% of them implementing raises of more than 15%. While many organizations opted for more modest increases, with the majority raising pay between 1% and 3%, 19% did not adjust their staff salaries at all. International organizations, however, were less likely to increase pay, with 17% more than their US-based counterparts reporting no raise in fundraising staff pay.

Organizations that experienced revenue growth in 2024 often found a direct link between investing in their fundraising teams and boosting financial results. Notably, 70% of organizations that increased their fundraising staff pay by 10% or more also saw an increase in revenue.