Where are all the high-quality fundraising candidates?

By Barry Vienet

Fundraising plays a vital role in supporting charitable and social purpose organisations in Australia however, attracting talented and qualified candidates in the space has become an increasingly challenging task. This scarcity poses significant hurdles for organisations, hindering their ability to bolster or even maintain their fundraising efforts. As our old friend Dr Julius Sumner Miller (look it up kids) was wont to say, “Why is it so?”

Limited Pool of Experienced Professionals:

It may seem obvious, but one of the primary obstacles organisations face in Australia is the limited pool of experienced fundraising professionals – we’re just not producing enough of them! The field of fundraising requires a unique skill set that combines empathy, relationship-building, and strategic planning. Unfortunately, the demand for such candidates exceeds the available supply, resulting in stiff competition for the limited pool of qualified individuals. 

Salaries and Compensation:

Another major factor contributing to the difficulty in attracting fundraising candidates is the issue of salaries and compensation. Fundraising positions in Australia often face challenges in offering competitive remuneration compared to equivalent roles (think business development, sales) in other industries. Candidates with strong fundraising skills may be enticed by better-paying sectors, making it challenging for organisations to attract and retain top talent.

Lack of Public Awareness:

Fundraising as a profession often faces a lack of public awareness and recognition. Many people are not fully aware of the importance and impact of these roles. Without a proper understanding of the value of fundraising, organisations struggle to attract individuals who are passionate about making a difference through their work, leading to a limited pool of potential candidates who actively pursue careers in this field.

Skills Gap and Quality Professional Development:

The fundraising landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with the advent of digital fundraising and online platforms. However, there is a noticeable skills gap between traditional fundraising methods and the digital strategies required today.. The skills gaps in particular are within digital marketing, data analytics, and online campaign management.

Geographic Limitations:

Australia’s vast size and population distribution pose additional challenges for organisations seeking fundraising candidates. Many professionals are concentrated in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, making it difficult for organisations located in regional or remote areas to attract skilled candidates. Geographic limitations further compound the scarcity of qualified fundraising professionals. Hybrid and remote working has alleviated this to a minor extent but with so much of fundraising requiring that “personal touch” organisations are reluctant to take on candidates on a purely remote basis.

Application Rates:

Anyone who has posted an ad for a fundraiser on an online job board will know that application rates for these roles are very low when compared to other roles. In our experience, almost all recruitment of fundraising professionals requires a healthy amount of pro-active search, or headhunting.

The difficulty in attracting good fundraising candidates in Australia stems from a combination of factors, including a limited pool of experienced professionals (who are not active readers of job boards), salary concerns, a lack of public awareness, a skills gap, and geographic limitations. To overcome these challenges, organisations must actively promote the importance of fundraising, invest in professional development, and offer competitive compensation packages. Collaboration between not-for-profit organisations, educational institutions, and the government is also crucial to address these issues and ensure the availability of highly skilled fundraising professionals who can make a significant impact on Australia’s charitable sector.

Insights from Johnson Recruitment

Johnson Recruitment is an independent recruitment and consulting firm specialising in the Community Services, Social Purpose, Health and Medical sectors, as well as in the recruitment of Practice Managers and support staff, across all sectors. Contact us on 03 9946 7320 or info@johnsonrecruitment.com.au to learn more about how we can assist you with a vacancy or new role today. Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook pages for more information and to keep up to date with the latest jobs, events and career advice.