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Fundraisers

SOC 13-1131.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers fundraising practice in nonprofit, educational, healthcare, and public-sector development offices, spanning donor identification, solicitation, stewardship, grant writing, campaign management, and strategic leadership across individual, corporate, and government giving contexts.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Donor prospect lists — compile and organize under supervisor guidance using CRM software in a nonprofit development office.
  2. Thank-you correspondence — draft and send to donors following established templates and organizational tone guidelines.
  3. Donor database records — enter and update accurately using data entry protocols in a development department setting.
  4. Individual donor profiles — research and summarize background information to support relationship-building efforts.
  5. Direct mail materials — assemble and prepare for distribution under direction as part of an annual giving campaign.
  6. Grant application components — gather required documents and data to support a senior officer's submission to funding organizations.
  7. Donor solicitation calls — participate in under supervision, following scripted talking points for a telefund or phonathon program.
  8. Fundraising event logistics — assist in coordinating tasks such as registration, materials, and donor check-in at organizational events.
  9. Sponsorship request letters — draft initial versions for review, incorporating organizational mission and giving opportunity details.
  10. Office suite and spreadsheet tools — use to track donation records, prepare reports, and support team communications in a development office.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Prospective individual and corporate donors — identify and cultivate relationships through outreach and networking with reduced supervisory oversight.
  2. Donor acknowledgment letters — write and personalize at scale to reinforce giving relationships and stewardship across a mid-sized portfolio.
  3. Annual giving campaigns — implement end-to-end, coordinating direct mail, email, and digital channels in a development department setting.
  4. Cash and in-kind solicitations — conduct independently with individuals and small business donors using persuasive communication techniques.
  5. CRM donor database — manage and update regularly, running queries and generating reports to support campaign planning and donor tracking.
  6. Grant proposal narratives — compile and draft for submission to foundation and government funders, meeting stated requirements and deadlines.
  7. Contribution strategies — adapt existing frameworks to encourage lapsed donors to renew or upgrade their giving levels.
  8. Donor prospect research tools — apply independently to assess capacity and interest, prioritizing outreach for a defined prospect pool.
  9. Sponsorship packages — develop and present to corporate partners, aligning giving opportunities with organizational programs and donor interests.
  10. Fundraising performance data — monitor and analyze across campaigns, identifying trends and recommending adjustments to development leadership.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Major gift donor relationships — cultivate and manage autonomously across a full portfolio, navigating complex solicitation strategies for high-capacity prospects.
  2. Comprehensive fundraising strategies — develop and execute to encourage new and increased contributions across individual, corporate, and government donor segments.
  3. Multi-channel fundraising programs — design and lead, integrating direct mail, digital, events, and personal solicitation within an organization's development plan.
  4. Complex grant proposals — author and submit independently to competitive funding sources, synthesizing organizational data and programmatic evidence.
  5. Donor commitment negotiations — lead with corporate and major individual donors, resolving objections and securing multi-year or planned giving agreements.
  6. Donor database architecture — configure and optimize CRM systems to support moves management, prospect tracking, and campaign segmentation.
  7. Stewardship communications — develop and oversee, ensuring donor recognition and impact reporting align with gift agreements and organizational brand standards.
  8. Non-routine fundraising challenges — assess and resolve, such as donor attrition crises or campaign underperformance, applying critical thinking and adaptive tactics.
  9. Cross-functional campaign coordination — lead across marketing, finance, and program teams to align fundraising activities with organizational priorities.
  10. Presentation materials and case statements — produce using desktop publishing and presentation software to articulate organizational impact to diverse donor audiences.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational fundraising vision — set and communicate, defining multi-year revenue goals and philanthropic priorities that align with institutional strategic plans.
  2. Development department staff — mentor and develop, building team competency in solicitation, stewardship, and donor relationship management practices.
  3. Enterprise-wide donor engagement strategy — architect and oversee, integrating major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, and corporate partnerships into a unified framework.
  4. Board and leadership volunteers — equip and mobilize as fundraising ambassadors, coaching them in prospect cultivation and donor ask techniques.
  5. Institutional grant and funding relationships — lead at the executive level, stewarding government agencies and major foundation partners across complex multi-year agreements.
  6. Fundraising systems and technology infrastructure — evaluate and govern, directing adoption of CRM platforms, analytics tools, and digital engagement solutions organization-wide.
  7. Sector-wide fundraising trends — analyze and translate into organizational strategy, applying systems analysis to anticipate shifts in donor behavior and philanthropic markets.
  8. High-level corporate and government partnerships — negotiate and secure, structuring sponsorship and grant agreements that deliver transformational organizational impact.
  9. Ethical standards and compliance frameworks — establish and enforce for all fundraising operations, ensuring adherence to professional codes, donor intent, and regulatory requirements.
  10. Organizational culture of philanthropy — champion across departments, integrating donor-centered values into leadership practices, staff orientation, and public communications.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted donor acknowledgment drafting — uses an LLM to generate first drafts of thank-you letters and acknowledgment emails, then reviews each for tone and accuracy before sending Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic donor database updates — prompts an AI tool to reformat and deduplicate contact records, verifying every entry against source documents before committing changes.
Developing
  1. Prospect research acceleration — directs an AI assistant to aggregate publicly available information on potential individual and corporate donors, then applies personal judgment to prioritize outreach based on relationship context Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Grant and appeal letter drafting — uses an LLM to produce structured first drafts of solicitation letters, supplying organizational narrative and mission details, then rewrites for persuasion and authentic voice WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Donor segmentation support — tasks an AI tool with sorting donor records by giving history and capacity indicators, then applies fundraising expertise to assign cultivation strategies to each segment Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Campaign copy refinement — runs AI-generated solicitation copy through iterative prompting cycles to test multiple tonal registers, then selects and edits the version best aligned with donor audience expectations Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-assisted pipeline reporting — delegates the assembly of donor pipeline dashboards and gift summary tables to an AI tool, freeing time for relationship-building conversations while maintaining ownership of the analysis Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Pledge commitment scripting — uses an LLM to draft call guides and objection-handling language for major-gift conversations, then rehearses and adapts the script based on active listening during actual donor interactions Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  4. Sponsorship proposal generation — instructs an AI assistant to compile benefit menus, impact statistics, and recognition tiers into formatted sponsorship decks, then personalizes each proposal before delivery.
Advanced
  1. Strategic donor communication architecture — designs prompt frameworks and AI workflow templates that standardize high-volume donor correspondence across the development team, while preserving individualized relationship signals that only human fundraisers can supply Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. AI autonomy governance — sets boundaries on which fundraising tasks (e.g., routine acknowledgments, data hygiene) are delegated fully to automated pipelines versus which (e.g., major-gift cultivation, lapsed-donor reactivation) require direct human relationship management, informed by measurable time-savings data Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Cross-functional data science integration — partners with data and analytics teams to apply AI-driven donor scoring models to prospect identification, translating model outputs into actionable cultivation priorities grounded in organizational fundraising strategy WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Evaluation and adoption leadership — benchmarks AI tool performance against fundraising KPIs (response rates, upgrade percentages, gift size), communicates findings to leadership, and drives iterative adoption decisions across the development function Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 393
Augment share: 39.3%
Time saved: 78.9%
AI autonomy: 3.29
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Speaking
Score: 48.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Data Science and Analysis
data_science_and_analysis
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Donor acknowledgment letters — drafts thank-you correspondence using organizational templates to confirm receipt of contributions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Solicitation scripts — delivers prepared ask language during initial donor outreach calls with basic clarity and appropriate tone O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Database entry notes — records donor interaction summaries in clear, structured language within CRM systems O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Case for support messaging — articulates organizational mission and funding priorities to prospective donors across phone and in-person channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant narrative drafting — writes compelling sections of funding proposals by translating program outcomes into funder-aligned language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Donor briefing materials — prepares concise background documents for major gift officers before high-stakes donor meetings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-channel donor communication — tailors solicitation messaging across direct mail, email, and face-to-face contexts to match donor segment and giving history Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Sponsorship proposals — writes and presents customized corporate sponsorship packages that align donor interests with organizational visibility benefits O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening during discovery — extracts philanthropic motivations and capacity signals through structured conversational inquiry with prospective major donors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Campaign communications strategy — architects integrated messaging frameworks across channels that unify voice, urgency, and impact narrative for annual giving campaigns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Executive donor dialogue — leads high-stakes conversations with C-suite or board-level donors, adjusting depth, tone, and content in real time to sustain engagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-functional messaging alignment — coaches program and leadership staff on consistent donor-facing language that reinforces organizational brand and fundraising priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Volunteer coordination — assigns task lists and provides basic direction to event volunteers during fundraising activities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Campaign participation — executes assigned components of giving campaigns under supervisor guidance while demonstrating ownership of individual deliverables Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Peer fundraiser development — mentors junior fundraising staff on donor relationship protocols and solicitation techniques during campaign cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Campaign task leadership — manages timelines and delegates workstreams for direct mail or phonathon programs without requiring daily supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Donor stewardship initiative — takes ownership of lapsed donor reactivation efforts, designing outreach sequences and tracking outcomes independently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Fundraising program management — leads end-to-end execution of annual giving campaigns, coordinating internal teams, vendors, and volunteer committees toward revenue targets Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-departmental influence — guides program and communications staff to align organizational storytelling with fundraising goals without formal authority Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Board donor engagement — prepares and supports board members as fundraising ambassadors, providing coaching on ask language and relationship cultivation expectations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Fundraising strategy leadership — sets multi-year revenue growth direction, allocates resources across programs, and builds staff capacity to achieve ambitious development goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Culture of philanthropy building — models and institutionalizes donor-centric values across the organization, embedding fundraising responsibility into non-development staff roles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentorship ecosystem — establishes structured mentoring pathways for emerging fundraisers, transferring relationship management and moves management expertise at scale Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition11 statements
Emerging
  1. Solicitation self-review — reflects on completed donor calls to identify moments where ask language or listening approach could improve outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — recognizes gaps in knowledge of fundraising platforms or donor research tools and seeks targeted training resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Campaign debrief practice — analyzes personal performance metrics after each giving campaign to identify specific behaviors driving or hindering results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Donor meeting preparation — plans cognitive approach before high-stakes solicitations by anticipating objections and rehearsing flexible response strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Writing quality monitoring — reviews grant proposals and donor correspondence for logical coherence and persuasive impact before submission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Moves management reflection — evaluates accuracy of donor cultivation assessments over time, adjusting instincts about giving readiness based on tracked outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Strategy assumption testing — monitors whether fundraising strategies are producing expected results and recalibrates when evidence conflicts with initial assumptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Skill gap mapping — conducts periodic self-assessment against evolving fundraising competency standards to prioritize professional development investments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Adaptive expertise modeling — demonstrates conscious awareness of how experience-based pattern recognition informs donor judgment and communicates this reasoning to junior staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational learning facilitation — leads team retrospectives that surface collective blind spots in donor strategy and translate insights into revised protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cognitive bias recognition — identifies and corrects for confirmation bias in prospect research and donor qualification processes, documenting corrective frameworks for team use Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Donor prospect screening — applies basic research criteria to evaluate whether an individual or organization meets minimum giving capacity thresholds Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant guideline analysis — reads and interprets funder eligibility requirements to determine organizational fit before investing proposal writing time O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Fundraising data interpretation — analyzes campaign response rates and average gift trends to draw preliminary conclusions about donor segment behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Solicitation strategy evaluation — compares outcomes of different ask approaches across donor segments to identify which tactics produce higher conversion rates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Donor objection analysis — dissects recurring donor hesitations to distinguish genuine philosophical misalignment from solvable information gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Portfolio prioritization — evaluates donor pipeline using capacity, affinity, and engagement evidence to rank cultivation investments and maximize staff time allocation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant application assessment — critically reviews organizational program data and external funder priorities to build evidence-based arguments for funding eligibility O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Campaign ROI analysis — evaluates cost-per-dollar-raised across fundraising channels and identifies assumptions embedded in budget forecasts before recommending resource shifts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Philanthropic landscape analysis — synthesizes trends in donor behavior, regulatory environment, and competing organizational priorities to anticipate shifts in funding availability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based strategy design — constructs fundraising program logic using historical performance data, peer benchmarks, and causal reasoning to justify strategic departures from convention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Critical review of organizational assumptions — challenges internally held beliefs about donor motivations or program impact claims, commissioning evidence to validate or revise the case for support Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration11 statements
Emerging
  1. Event team participation — contributes assigned tasks to fundraising event committees and communicates progress to team leads within shared project timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Program staff coordination — gathers program outcome data from non-development colleagues to incorporate into donor impact reports O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-departmental campaign execution — partners with communications, finance, and program teams to align timelines, messaging, and reporting requirements for annual giving campaigns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Corporate donor team coordination — collaborates with marketing and executive leadership to develop sponsorship packages that balance donor interests with organizational brand standards O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Volunteer fundraiser partnerships — works alongside board and volunteer fundraisers, providing them with tools and briefings while integrating their relationship networks into campaign strategy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Prospect management team integration — navigates shared donor portfolios with major gifts colleagues using moves management protocols to prevent duplication and protect relationships Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant collaboration — co-develops funding proposals with program directors and evaluators, synthesizing technical and narrative contributions into a unified, compelling submission O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Diverse stakeholder navigation — engages donors, foundation officers, corporate partners, and government funders with context-appropriate approaches that honor each stakeholder's priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational partnership architecture — builds sustained collaborative frameworks between development and program departments that embed fundraising intelligence into organizational planning cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Consortium fundraising leadership — coordinates joint campaigns or shared grant applications with peer organizations, aligning competing institutional interests toward collective revenue goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Team conflict resolution — mediates tensions between fundraising staff over donor portfolio ownership or campaign resource allocation, restoring productive collaboration through structured dialogue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character11 statements
Emerging
  1. Donor data confidentiality — handles donor personal and financial information according to organizational privacy policies and professional ethical standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accurate donor recording — enters gift and interaction data honestly and completely into CRM systems without omitting unflattering outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical solicitation practice — declines to use manipulative pressure tactics during donor asks, maintaining honesty about organizational needs and impact even when it risks a smaller gift Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Acknowledgment accuracy — ensures donor recognition reflects actual gift amounts and designations, correcting errors proactively rather than allowing them to benefit the organization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional accountability — accepts responsibility for missed cultivation touchpoints or lapsed donor relationships and implements corrective action without deflecting blame Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Gift acceptance integrity — advises leadership when a prospective donor's contribution conflicts with organizational values or creates reputational risk, recommending declination when warranted Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent impact reporting — presents program outcomes to donors and funders with factual accuracy, including honest acknowledgment of shortfalls without distorting narrative to protect future funding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict of interest management — identifies and discloses personal relationships with donors or vendors that could compromise impartial fundraising decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics culture stewardship — establishes and reinforces team norms around donor confidentiality, honest reporting, and ethical solicitation through policy development and consistent modeling Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational accountability leadership — advocates internally for transparent financial reporting to donors even under institutional pressure to soften unfavorable outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional standards advancement — contributes to sector-level discussions on fundraising ethics through professional associations, case studies, or policy input Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity11 statements
Emerging
  1. Campaign concept contribution — proposes new themes or engagement hooks for recurring annual fund campaigns during team brainstorming sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Donor recognition ideas — suggests novel stewardship touchpoints that go beyond standard acknowledgment letters to surprise and delight donors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Direct mail innovation — designs non-template solicitation pieces that use storytelling, visual metaphor, or unconventional format to increase open and response rates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer-to-peer fundraising design — develops creative frameworks that empower existing donors to activate their personal networks on behalf of the organization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. In-kind solicitation creativity — identifies non-cash giving opportunities that match donor assets or interests to organizational needs, expanding the definition of philanthropic contribution O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. New revenue stream development — conceives and pilots novel fundraising vehicles such as giving circles, challenge campaigns, or cause-marketing partnerships that expand the donor base Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Bespoke major gift proposals — creates individualized gift opportunity packages that align a specific donor's legacy interests with organizational capital or programmatic needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Audience-specific case framing — reframes the organizational case for support through fresh narrative angles tailored to motivate distinct donor psychographic segments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Fundraising model innovation — designs and institutionalizes original fundraising program architectures that depart from sector conventions and become replicable models for peer organizations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative culture cultivation — establishes team environments where fundraising staff experiment with unconventional approaches, test results rigorously, and iterate without fear of failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-sector partnership invention — engineers novel philanthropic structures such as impact investments, social enterprise hybrids, or public-private funding consortia that unlock previously inaccessible capital Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset11 statements
Emerging
  1. Rejection reframing — treats donor declinations as information about timing or alignment rather than personal rejection, maintaining outreach persistence across subsequent contacts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — accepts coaching on solicitation technique from supervisors and incorporates suggested adjustments in subsequent donor interactions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Campaign failure analysis — extracts transferable lessons from underperforming fundraising programs and applies them to redesign subsequent campaign tactics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill stretch pursuits — voluntarily takes on grant writing, major gifts, or planned giving assignments that exceed current competency level to accelerate fundraising skill development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry learning engagement — attends professional development conferences and reads sector research to continuously update knowledge of donor trends and fundraising best practices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ambitious goal ownership — sets fundraising targets beyond prior year benchmarks, sustaining effort through slow cultivation periods with confidence in eventual outcome Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Donor portfolio challenge acceptance — requests assignment to difficult or dormant donor relationships as opportunities to test and develop advanced cultivation skills Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Iterative testing practice — designs A/B experiments within campaigns to test messaging or format hypotheses, treating each result as data that improves future performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team growth culture modeling — demonstrates public vulnerability about personal fundraising failures and learning moments, normalizing growth orientation across the development team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational learning investment — advocates for dedicated time and budget for staff professional development, framing skill growth as a fundraising revenue strategy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Sector knowledge contribution — shares hard-won lessons from failed or successful campaigns through conference presentations, publications, or peer networks, advancing collective fundraising practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness11 statements
Emerging
  1. Pre-call emotional regulation — manages pre-solicitation anxiety through brief preparation routines that center attention and reduce reactive communication patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Donor cue attentiveness — notices nonverbal and tonal signals during donor conversations that indicate discomfort or heightened interest, adjusting pace accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. High-volume campaign sustainability — maintains consistent attention quality and emotional presence across extended phonathon or event solicitation sessions without performance degradation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Reactive impulse management — pauses before responding to donor objections or unexpected negative reactions, choosing deliberate over defensive replies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Meeting intention setting — establishes clear goals and a present-moment focus before donor discovery meetings to prevent distraction by unrelated portfolio pressures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emotionally intelligent donor navigation — recognizes when a donor conversation has shifted emotionally and pivots intentionally between relationship-building and solicitation modes based on real-time attunement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Deadline pressure regulation — maintains clarity of judgment and relational quality during end-of-fiscal-year campaign intensity, preventing urgency from overriding donor-centered practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening discipline — sustains full attention during donor storytelling without mentally rehearsing the next question, using what is heard to guide authentic follow-up Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team stress culture awareness — monitors collective emotional climate during high-pressure campaigns and intervenes with structural or interpersonal support before burnout compromises team performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Contemplative practice integration — embeds reflective practices into team workflow such as structured debriefs or pre-meeting check-ins that build collective mindfulness capacity in the development office Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Board and leadership mindfulness facilitation — coaches executive directors and board members on intentional presence and emotional regulation before major donor meetings or campaign kickoffs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude11 statements
Emerging
  1. Solicitation persistence — continues outreach sequences to prospective donors after initial non-responses without abandoning cultivation timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Goal pressure tolerance — maintains baseline productivity during challenging campaign periods when early results fall below projections Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Major donor rejection recovery — processes high-stakes gift declinations without withdrawal from subsequent major gift solicitation activity, returning to pipeline work within a defined timeframe Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty navigation — continues relationship cultivation during periods of organizational change or funding instability when the case for support is temporarily weakened Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Difficult conversation courage — initiates candid conversations with lapsed or disengaged major donors about the reasons for their departure, accepting uncomfortable feedback in service of relationship repair Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-year campaign endurance — sustains cultivation and stewardship intensity across multi-year capital campaigns or comprehensive campaigns with cycles of momentum and stagnation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Public fundraising challenge — delivers fundraising presentations and asks in high-visibility settings such as galas, board meetings, or community forums despite performance pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional adversity resilience — maintains fundraising program continuity during organizational crises such as leadership transitions, reputational incidents, or funding shortfalls Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Crisis fundraising leadership — mobilizes emergency donor response campaigns during organizational or community crises, maintaining composure and strategic clarity under acute time and reputational pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Sustained mission advocacy — champions the funding mission over multi-decade career arcs through sector-wide shifts in philanthropic priorities, economic downturns, and organizational reinventions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Team fortitude building — develops staff resilience through structured coaching, psychological safety practices, and shared narratives about perseverance that sustain team performance through prolonged difficulty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Annual Giving Coordinator · Annual Giving Officer · Campaign Fundraiser · Capital Campaign Fundraiser · Community Fundraiser · Contract Grant Writer · Development Associate · Development Coordinator · Development Officer · Direct Response Consultant · Donation Coordinator · Donation Specialist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingPersuasionCritical ThinkingNegotiationCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningMonitoringSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationInstructingTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesMathematics
Knowledge domains
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingComputers and ElectronicsAdministrative
Abilities
Speech ClarityOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningFluency of IdeasDeductive ReasoningNear Vision
Work styles
Social OrientationAchievement OrientationOptimismDependabilityIntegrityCooperation
Technology
Desktop publishing softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Identify and build relationships with potential donors.
  2. Secure commitments of participation or donation from individuals or corporate donors.
  3. Write and send letters of thanks to donors.
  4. Solicit cash or in-kind donations or sponsorships from individual, business, or government donors.
  5. Create or update donor databases.
  6. Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
  7. Develop or implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programs.
  8. Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
CIP education codes
09.010009.090009.090209.090452.021452.050252.1401

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.