How Much Will You Be Paid in Your Next Fund-Raising Job?

April 09, 2008

How Much Will You Be Paid in Your Next Fund-Raising Job?

In Denver, Rebecca Epstein is looking for a new job as a development director and — with 20 years of experience — she’s now a finalist for the top fund-raising job at two organizations. One potential employer has made a salary offer, but “frankly, it feels a little low,” Ms. Epstein wrote to colleagues in an online discussion list maintained by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Her question for fellow fund raisers: How much should she ask for?

“Here is my rule of thumb,” came the response sent by Terry Scott Boykie, director of development at the Washington Math Science Technology Public Charter School, in the District of Columbia .“Forget about salary ranges for a particular [geographic] area. Accept nothing less than a 30-percent increase and that includes vacation. Lower than that and you’ll never move to the next plateau.”

“Shame on all of us if we think asking for 30 percent is too much,” Mr. Boykie continued. “We are pros, and we deserve real compensation.”

What do you think? Is Mr. Boykie right or is his recommended 30-percent increase too much to ask (or hope) for?

— Holly Hall

Comments

I think it depends on certification, education, experience, type of fundraising, results and the operating budget of the organization. A blanket 30% demand is not possible to a lot of smaller organizations.

— Michael Ibrahim Apr 10, 04:07 PM #
I think a chronic problem in the sector is people being expected to work for nothing. With the “leadership crisis” looming, pay is something non-profits have to value, in the past I think people just thought “hey they will work for x because of the cause” not necessarily anymore.

— Tory Apr 11, 09:21 AM #
Until donors unrestrict funds and consistently give inflationary bumps to giving each year, expecting nonprofits to build in annual raises just because is ludicrous. I think many people who consider themselves nonprofit professionals forget that nonprofits can’t just go out and raise prices on services – no matter how much the organization might value an administrator’s work. I can only assume that those nonprofit professionals who are clamoring for more and more and more pay must be incredibly lucky to NOT work for an organization whose nonprogrammatic expenditures are scrutinized constantly.

— Clarissa L. Valdez Apr 15, 07:22 PM #

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How Much Will You Be Paid in Your Next Fund-Raising Job?

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