How to become a Fundraiser
Fundraisers plan and schedule events that raise money for charities and other organisations through donations.
Personal requirements for a Fundraiser
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong organisational skills
- Incredibly detailed
- Strong sense of leadership
- Able to persuade through logic
- Strong logical thinking skills
- Excellent presentation skills
- Good written comprehension and expression skills
- Able to think creatively
- Artistic creativity skills
- Able to work in a high
- Pressure environment
Education & Training for a Fundraiser
Fundraisers can begin working without any formal qualification, but most Fundraisers complete a bachelor’s degree in areas including public relations, communications or business. Other degrees such as journalism and social work can also boost chances of employment. These undergraduate courses aren’t essential, but they may help larger businesses or charities notice you when it comes to finding employment. These courses usually require a prerequisite of English or a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Contact the institution you are interested in for more details.Alternatively, some Fundraisers may complete courses in social work or public relations through VET. These courses can help leverage you straight into an entry-level job, or it can help complete your undergraduate degree. For more information, contact any institutions you are interested in. For further details, visit www.goodeducationguide.com.au .
Additional information
Fundraising is an extremely versatile career pathway. Alongside working full time to contact potential donors and organising events, they may have to work additional hours on weekends to help manage fundraising campaigns. Fundraisers also rely heavily on their personality and communication skills. Although formal education can be beneficial, employers usually prefer candidates who are confident and can communicate extremely well. An alternative way of getting noticed by employers is completing an internship. This work experience can help turn voluntary work into paid positions, as the experience of interacting with clients over the phone and in person is a prime way of proving you can schedule large-scale events and consistently bring in donations.Some places may require Fundraisers to register and obtain a license for accepting donations. To find out if this applies to your position or workplace, look through Government websites that apply.
Duties & Tasks of a Fundraiser
Fundraisers:
- Organise campaigns and events to encourage donations
- Research who prospective donors might be and cater to their preferences
- Contact potential donors to maximise the money donated
- Create slogans and promotions for the fundraising events that draw large crowds to attend and donate
- Use online platforms such as social media to spread the word of events and appeal to potential donors
- Keep detailed records of donors
- Follow all legal reporting requirements when scheduling and overseeing fundraising events
- Constantly review their fundraising events and improve on future campaigns
- Train other volunteers and members to help run the events and obtain donations
Working conditions for a Fundraiser
Fundraisers usually work individually unless employed by a company requiring a large fundraising event that needs multiple workers. Fundraisers will communicate with multiple parties to organise a successful campaign and receive as many donations as possible.
Employment Opportunities for a Fundraiser
Fundraisers work in diverse and exciting environments, ranging from in-office desk jobs to constantly meeting clients in person and organising events with various venues. This means no workday is quite the same, as some days may require you to be outside visiting donors and hosts all day, while others may end in clerical work to ensure organisation in your fundraising records. Fundraisers are usually employed full-time by companies or foundations that require high amounts of donor money to function effectively.
