Many opportunities in fundraising, but misconceptions about the field remain

“[People think] that it’s not a real profession, that it’s not properly remunerated, that it’s just ‘asking for money’, that it’s done by volunteers – all of which are not true. A professional fundraiser is highly skilled and qualified,” says Raskob.

Data and analytics skills are becoming increasingly important for organisations with a fundraising focus, while experience in sales is sought after by charities with corporate partnerships. Strong marketing and communications skills have always been valuable to the charitable sector.

“Many very experienced FIA members who have held fundraising leadership roles in medium and large charities have gone on to be the CEO of charities. Given how important the fundraising function is, that makes a perfect fit,” Raskob says.

Raskob says there is a perpetual shortage of workers in fundraising, an issue that existed well before the pandemic paused skilled migration. “Graduates aren’t exposed to the idea of a career in fundraising as there are no typical courses or degrees at undergraduate level [specialising] in fundraising,” Raskob says.

Currently, there’s plenty of demand for fundraisers to support charities through the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth Australia has ever seen – donations from ageing Baby Boomers.

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It’s led to demand for specialists to fill roles focussing on fundraising through gifts, bequests and wills.

“Wills fundraising requires a relationship builder with lots of empathy and maturity to be able to hold meaningful conversations about impact with people considering leaving a gift to a charity in their will,” says Raskob.

After more than seven years at GoFundMe, Tumah remains enamoured with the opportunity.

“I get to witness firsthand how individuals and communities show up for one another, day in and day out, and for that I am grateful,” she says.