Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Working Life

A fundraiser can work for a not-for-profit organisation which has fundraising as one of its core activities. While many fundraisers are volunteers, there are also paid positions in some organisations.

As a fundraiser, your responsibilities may vary depending on your experience and position in the organisation. You may talk to people on the streets about a specific appeal and look for donations, but in a more senior position, you develop corporate partnerships, plan advertising campaigns, and organise events. Researching and applying for grants and funding from various trusts, government agencies and businesses.

In the more senior position, you would also be responsible for recruiting and managing volunteers for different fundraising projects.

There would be a significant level of administrative work, as you report and monitor the financial progress and fundraising activities, income and expenditure.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Identify and build relationships with potential donors.
• Secure commitments of participation or donation from individuals or corporate donors.
• Write and send letters of thanks to donors.
• Solicit cash or in-kind donations or sponsorships from individual, business, or government donors.
• Create or update donor databases.
• Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
• Develop or implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programmes.
• Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organisations.
• Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
• Develop fundraising activity plans that maximise participation or contributions and minimise costs.

Further Information

• Charity Fundraiser- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Fundraising manager (charity)- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There is not one specific entry route for this role and a specific qualification may not be necessary.

More senior fundraisers or fundraising managers often have a degree in Business, Event Management or Marketing. However, work and volunteering experience is often more important.

For many careers in the not-for-profit sector, employers expect some level of voluntary experiences or involvement at community level. Volunteering is also an excellent way to get experience in fundraising and it also allows you to build up contacts in the sector, which can lead to employment opportunities. You can find out more about volunteering through Volunteer Ireland.

Fundraising jobs are often advertised on Charities Institute Ireland and on Activelink for example.

There are often opportunities to progress to more senior positions as a Fundraiser. You can work for a larger organisation and you may also have opportunities to work overseas.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business administration, customer service, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: community work, business management, sales, marketing, commerce, finance, accounting.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Accounting, Finance, Sales Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: community work, business, commerce, economics, math and statistics, accounts and finance.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business, accounts, management, financial advice.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Keeping up to date with regulations and sector news is important and member organisations such as Charities Institute Ireland often offer relevant information and training.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €38k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater/ Charityrecruitment/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Administrative assistants and officers (national and local government); officers of non-governmental organisations (e.g. administrators (charitable organisation); organisers (trade union); trade union officials.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• Charities Regulator

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• Charities Institute Ireland

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