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Fund Development Professional

Fund development professionals raise money for charitable groups and causes such as community agencies, arts organizations, schools and hospitals. They plan, organize and implement gift campaigns and fundraising events that build relationships between donors and charities.

Also Known As

Development Director, Fundraiser

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 5124: Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications

2006 NOC-S

  • F024: Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications

2011 NOC

  • 1123: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations

2016 NOC

  • 1123: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations

2021 NOC

  • 11202: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations

2023 OaSIS

  • 11202.00: Professional occupations in marketing, advertising and public relations
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Fund development professionals are involved in a broad range of programs to raise awareness of and support for charities and other not-for-profit organizations. They may work with governing boards, management teams and volunteer committees to prepare an organization for fundraising, or to develop fund development plans and strategies. They also may:

  • Conduct research and test public opinion about the organization to determine what motivates involvement and investment
  • Implement and manage fund development strategies
  • Organize and implement special events and fundraising campaigns
  • Raise money for programs, services, operating budgets and capital needs
  • Build endowment funds to secure long-range and sustainable sources of funding
  • Build and maintain donor and prospect databases
  • Maintain positive relationships with donors and supporters and develop strategies to encourage new donations and support
  • Make requests for donations or sponsorship from corporations, foundations and key individuals
  • Recruit, orient and acknowledge volunteers
  • Prepare proposals and grant applications
  • Make presentations to service organizations, corporations, foundations and other community groups and individuals to solicit donations
  • Handle public relations activities such as writing news releases, newsletters and feature stories and participating in radio and television interviews
  • Plan and administer budgets
  • Conduct fund development audits and feasibility studies
  • Ensure fund development programs comply with regulatory requirements and organizational policies
  • Prepare presentations and reports for donors on the impact of their gifts
  • Facilitate progress meetings
  • Analyze program results and recommend improvements for future fund development activities

Some development professionals work on a single program or campaign for a specific purpose, such as a new wing in a hospital or a research program, for a year or longer. Others work on several projects and programs at the same time.

Fund development professionals may specialize in areas such as annual giving or major gifts. They may also specialize in:

  • Direct mail
  • Prospect research
  • Planned giving
  • Special events
  • Grant research and preparation
  • Stewardship and recognition
  • Capital campaigns
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Fund development professionals spend some time working alone writing proposals, researching prospective donors and analyzing data. However, most of their time is spent meeting people on the phone and in groups. These discussions and presentations may be held during the day, after regular work hours or on weekends. Therefore, working days can be long and irregular. During a campaign or concerted fund development program, the work can be hectic. Travel may be required.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications

2006 NOC: 5124

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to prepare and oversee preparation of reports, briefs, bibliographies, speeches, presentations, Web sites and press releases, and to develop and organize workshops, meetings, ceremonies and other events for publicity, fund-raising and information purposes

METHODICAL

Interest in gathering, researching and preparing communications material for internal and external audiences, and in assisting in the preparation of brochures, reports, newsletters and other material

SOCIAL

Interest in persuading to initiate and maintain contact with the media, and to arrange interviews and news conferences; and in co-ordinating special publicity events and promotions to internal and external audiences

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Fund development professionals need:

  • Persistence and tact
  • Energy, enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure
  • Communication and time-management skills
  • Interpersonal and people-management skills
  • The ability to motivate, persuade and inspire people
  • Organizational skills
  • Project-management skills

They should enjoy coordinating information, finding innovative ways to handle problems and taking a methodical approach to researching information. They should take pleasure in networking and building relationships, and have a passion for working for organizations that benefit individual lives and the community.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations

2016 NOC: 1123

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 20, 2024 and Mar 27, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Assist in the preparation of brochures, reports, newsletters and other material
Tasks: Develop, implement and evaluate communication strategies and programs
Tasks: Advise clients on advertising or sales promotion strategies
Tasks: Develop marketing strategies
Tasks: Gather, research and prepare communications material
Tasks: Develop and organize workshops, meetings, ceremonies and other events for publicity, fundraising and information purposes
Attention to detail
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Tasks: Co-ordinate special publicity events and promotions
Tasks: Prepare or oversee preparation of reports, briefs, bibliographies, speeches, presentations, Website content and press releases
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Minimum Education Varies

Fund development professionals must be:

  • Knowledgeable about a wide variety of fundraising techniques
  • Sensitive to cultural differences
  • Knowledgeable about relevant local, provincial and federal legislation and regulations
  • Able to use computers to compile and interpret statistical and financial information, present financial reports and produce gift proposals and grant applications

Fund development professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most employers prefer to hire those with related post-secondary education or extensive paid or volunteer experience, preferably in a not-for-profit organization. Training through a professional association or post-secondary school, or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification (see Certification Requirements) is an asset.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) offers a Fundamentals of Fundraising course and a more advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive refresher course. The Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) and Mount Royal University offer training in conjunction with AFP.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Certification Not Regulated

The CFRE Certification Board administers Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification, which is the accepted standard for major fundraising associations such as the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Association of Lutheran Development Executives and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.

Applicants for CFRE certification must have at least 5 years of fundraising experience and pass a certification exam.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Fund development professionals are employed by all types of charitable, not-for-profit and public sector organizations such as:

  • Health facilities and disease-specific organizations
  • Schools
  • Religious organizations
  • Cultural and arts organizations
  • Social service agencies
  • Consulting firms that provide fundraising services on a contract basis to not-for-profit and charitable organizations

Experienced fund development professionals in larger organizations may advance to campaign director or fund development director positions. They may also specialize in specific areas (see Duties). Advancement may require moving to another location or employer.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 1123: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations occupational group, 78.2% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 1123: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 308 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Salaries for fund development professionals vary considerably depending on the responsibilities of the position, the size and industry sector of the organization, and its budget for development work.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations

2016 NOC: 1123
Average Wage
$35.94
Per Hour
Average Salary
$68,595.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1123 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $17.74 $48.08 $29.92 $28.42
Overall $19.95 $56.41 $35.94 $34.62
Top $20.19 $83.58 $42.83 $40.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
33%
33%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
5%
5%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Calgary chapter website: community.afpnet.org/afpcalgaryareachapter

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Edmonton chapter website: www.afpedmonton.ca

Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) website: www.ahp.org

Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) website: www.alde.org

Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) website: www.cagp-acpdp.org

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) website: www.cfre.org

Charity Village website: charityvillage.com

Volunteer Alberta website: www.volunteeralberta.ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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