Fundraising Salaries Stabilize as Median Pay Outpaces Inflation, AFP Report Finds
Despite a cooling economy and ongoing workforce shifts, U.S. fundraising professionals — especially those in the middle of the pay scale — are seeing encouraging signs of financial progress.
New data from the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy’s “2025 Compensation and Benefits Report” reveals that average salaries have plateaued, but median compensation is rising faster than inflation, signaling a more equitable distribution of earnings across the nonprofit sector.
“While average salaries show signs of stabilization, the increase in median salary reflects promising growth for many fundraising professionals, even amid a complex economic environment,” Ann Hale, CFRE, executive vice president for AFP Foundations for Philanthropy, said in a statement.
Here are the top takeaways on the current state of nonprofit employee salaries from the report.
Median Salaries Rise Above Inflation
While the average U.S. fundraising salary dipped slightly by 0.2% — from $96,621 in 2023 to $96,449 in 2024 — the median salary rose from $83,000 to $87,672, a 5.6% increase that outpaced the 2.9% inflation rate. This shift suggests that more professionals in the middle of the pay scale are seeing real wage growth, even as top-end salaries may be leveling off.
This contrasts with last year’s report, which showed a modest 0.8% increase in average salary and a median salary that remained relatively flat. The data in this year’s report indicates a more equitable distribution of compensation gains across the sector.
However, in organizations with operating budgets of $5 million or more, the salary gap between the executives and their staffs widens as organizational size increases.
Gender Pay Gap Narrows, But Disparities Remain
The report shows continued progress on gender pay equity. The average salary gap between men and women narrowed from 20% to 18%, while the median gap dropped from 25% to 13%. Women’s median salary rose to $88,300, while men’s median salary declined to $99,900.
Though the gap is shrinking, the data underscores the ongoing need for systemic change. In 2023, women earned an average of $92,882 compared to $114,938 for men. The latest figures suggest that while progress is being made, parity is still a work in progress.
Benefits Access Expands, With Emphasis on Health and Retirement
This year’s report includes a deeper dive into employee benefits. Over 96% of U.S. respondents reported access to employer-provided health insurance. Of those, 21% had their entire premium covered by their employer, while 74% shared the cost. Retirement benefits also remain a key part of compensation packages, with many organizations offering 401(k) and/or 403(b) plans.
Workforce Retention Reflects Sector Commitment
Despite funding and staffing challenges, the fundraising workforce remains resilient. Fewer than one in five professionals reported actively seeking new employment. Meanwhile, nearly one-third of fundraisers stay in a role for less than three years, while nearly half remain with an organization for more than five years — highlighting both mobility and long-term commitment within the sector.
This marks a shift from last year’s findings, when 55% of respondents anticipated leaving their current position. The 2025 data suggests improved job satisfaction and organizational loyalty.
