Expected Annual Pay (Texas)
$58,320
Average salary range
Job Title
Fundraiser / Development Staff (e.g., Development Manager, Fundraising Manager, Grants Officer)
Job Outlook (Texas)
+13%
Employment growth
Level of Education Required
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, public relations, business administration, journalism, English, or a related field. Some senior fundraising and development positions may prefer a master's degree.
Minimum requirement
Credentials or Licenses Required
Professional certifications such as Grant Professional Certified (GPC) or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) may be valued by some employers, particularly for more advanced fundraising or development positions
Licenses / Certificates
Work Experience Typically Required
Most fundraising and development professionals have experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, communications, marketing, community engagement, or nonprofit administration. Experience building relationships, managing fundraising campaigns, writing grant proposals, and tracking fundraising outcomes is often preferred.
Related experience needed
What is this role responsible for day to day?
In a fundraiser or development role within early childhood, your day focuses on securing financial resources to support programs, services, and organizational sustainability. You might:
- Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with donors and funders
- Write and manage grant proposals and funding reports
- Plan and support fundraising campaigns or events
- Track donations and maintain donor databases
- Collaborate with leadership to align funding strategies with program goals
Career Snapshots
Explore different career paths within education and find the one that fits your passion
Avery
Avery began her career as a communications coordinator for an early childhood nonprofit organization, where she discovered a passion for connecting people to meaningful causes. After gaining experience in donor communications and grant writing, she moved into a development role supporting early childhood programs. She enjoys sharing stories about the impact of early childhood services and hopes to eventually become a Chief Development Officer.
Caleb
Caleb began his career as a preschool teacher and spent several years working directly with young children and families. As he became more involved in program initiatives and community partnerships, he developed an interest in helping organizations secure the resources they need to expand their impact. Today, he works in development, where he combines his classroom experience with fundraising and donor engagement. In the future, he hopes to move into a senior development leadership role where he can help shape fundraising strategy for early childhood programs
Monica
Monica started as an afterschool teaching assistant while earning her degree in English. Working with children helped her develop a strong connection to the mission of supporting young learners and families, while her coursework strengthened her writing and communication skills. After graduation, she moved into grant writing and later expanded her responsibilities to include donor stewardship, fundraising campaigns, and development planning. She plans to remain in development work long-term because she enjoys helping organizations secure the resources they need to serve children and families.
What are some skills or personal traits that people in this role typically have?
People in this role are persuasive, organized, and relationship‑oriented. You communicate clearly, manage multiple deadlines, and are comfortable aligning mission‑driven work with financial goals.
What are some jobs that people had earlier in their careers?
People in this role often previously worked as:
People in this role often previously worked as:
- Program coordinators or administrative staff
- Grant writers or communications specialists
- Community engagement or outreach staff
What are some jobs that people in this role have later in their careers?
With experience, people in this role may move into:
With experience, people in this role may move into:
- Senior development or advancement leadership roles
- Executive leadership positions
- Consulting roles focused on nonprofit fundraising or strategy