How can you choose between a nonprofit and for-profit fundraising career?

1 Your motivation

One of the main differences between nonprofit and for-profit fundraising is the motivation behind your work. In nonprofit fundraising, you are typically raising money for a social or environmental mission that aligns with your values and interests. You might feel a strong sense of purpose and satisfaction from contributing to a greater good. In for-profit fundraising, you are usually raising money for a business or an investment that aims to generate profits and returns for your clients or stakeholders. You might enjoy the challenge and reward of creating value and growth in a competitive market.

2 Your skills

Another difference between nonprofit and for-profit fundraising is the skills and competencies that you need to succeed. In nonprofit fundraising, you need to be able to communicate effectively with donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries, and build long-term relationships based on trust and empathy. You also need to be creative and resourceful in finding and securing funding sources, and be able to manage multiple projects and budgets. In for-profit fundraising, you need to have strong analytical and financial skills, and be able to pitch and negotiate with investors, lenders, and partners. You also need to have a solid understanding of the market and the industry, and be able to assess and mitigate risks and opportunities.

3 Your income

A third difference between nonprofit and for-profit fundraising is the income and compensation that you can expect. In general, for-profit fundraising tends to pay more than nonprofit fundraising, as it reflects the higher demand and value of the skills and results that you deliver. However, this also depends on the size, stage, and sector of the organization that you work for, as well as your experience and performance. In nonprofit fundraising, you might have to accept a lower salary, but you might also benefit from other perks, such as flexible hours, tax deductions, or professional development opportunities.

4 Your impact

A final difference between nonprofit and for-profit fundraising is the impact and outcome that you can measure and report. In nonprofit fundraising, you might have to deal with complex and intangible indicators, such as social change, environmental improvement, or human well-being. You might also face challenges in demonstrating and communicating your impact to your donors and supporters, as well as to yourself. In for-profit fundraising, you might have a clearer and more quantifiable way of measuring and reporting your impact , such as revenues, profits, or returns. You might also have more feedback and recognition from your clients and stakeholders, as well as from the market.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?