What You Need to Know About Public Relations or Fundraising Manager

Career Description Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Life As a PR or Fundraising Manager: What Do They Do?

• Draft speeches for company executives and arrange interviews and other forms of contact for them.
• Manage special events, such as sponsorship of races, parties introducing new products, or other activities the firm supports, to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.
• Confer with labor relations managers to develop internal communications that keep employees informed of company activities.
• Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet web pages.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities.
• Establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.

Skills Needed to be a PR or Fundraising Manager

These are the skills Public Relations and Fundraising Managers say are the most useful in their careers:

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Other PR or Fundraising Manager Job Titles

• Major Gifts Officer (MGO)
• Public Relations Manager (PR Manager)
• Marketing Communications Manager
• Public Affairs Director
• Annual Giving Director

PR or Fundraising Manager Employment Estimates

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 73,500 jobs in the United States for Public Relations or Fundraising Manager. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,600 new jobs for Public Relations or Fundraising Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for PR or Fundraising Manager are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Public Relations and Fundraising Managers Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Public Relations and Fundraising Managers is somewhere between $64,250 and $208,000.

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers who work in District of Columbia, New York, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Public Relations and Fundraising Managers make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$89,950
Alaska	$106,380
Arizona	$104,120
Arkansas	$114,450
California	$141,990
Colorado	$136,990
Connecticut	$122,760
Delaware	$136,930
District of Columbia	$188,050
Florida	$109,570
Georgia	$117,770
Hawaii	$108,420
Idaho	$87,690
Illinois	$119,330
Indiana	$105,770
Iowa	$103,350
Kansas	$111,740
Kentucky	$85,920
Louisiana	$91,740
Maine	$88,940
Maryland	$123,020
Massachusetts	$131,460
Michigan	$121,690
Minnesota	$120,190
Mississippi	$93,890
Missouri	$106,200
Montana	$81,670
Nebraska	$88,550
Nevada	$117,600
New Hampshire	$118,960
New Jersey	$163,560
New Mexico	$110,090
New York	$167,330
North Carolina	$125,500
North Dakota	$102,720
Ohio	$116,730
Oklahoma	$94,870
Oregon	$96,140
Pennsylvania	$123,600
Rhode Island	$153,480
South Carolina	$87,780
Tennessee	$99,360
Texas	$125,490
Utah	$102,290
Vermont	$102,260
Virginia	$163,680
Washington	$128,420
West Virginia	$77,250
Wisconsin	$107,830

Tools & Technologies Used by Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Public Relations and Fundraising Managers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Hypertext markup language HTML
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Project
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Facebook
• IBM Notes
• Microsoft Publisher
• Google Docs
• FileMaker Pro
• Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign

How do I Become a PR or Fundraising Manager?

Are there Public Relations and Fundraising Managers education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Public Relations and Fundraising Managers Work?

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers work in the following industries:

Related Careers

Are you already one of the many Public Relations or Fundraising Manager in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Training and Development Specialists

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Bill Koplitz via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.