How Much Does Your Nonprofit Need to Pay a Development Director?
For some nonprofits, just hiring a development director is a big step. The various task involved may have been performed, up to that point, by some combination of the Executive Director, Board members, volunteers, and various assistants.
A skilled development director can be a great asset to an organization — but of course is worth a professional salary. How much, exactly?
According to the recently issued 2010 Guidestar report (an excerpt of which is available online), the amount is actually less than one might have expected: The average development director (or other “top” development person)’s salary right now for an organization with a budget of less than $250,000 is $43,123. And for organizations with budgets between $250,000 and $500,000, the average is $56,483.
That should give you hope for hiring your first director. But it also explains why many development directors move on quickly, in search of higher paying work, perhaps with a bigger-budget organization!
One comment
From a goodly amount of hiring, in my opinion, good development director should be paid whatever it takes to get him or her to accept the job, and that amount will be set by the market. Organizations compromise their survival when they compromise quality in the hiring of a development director. Development directors are asked to make critical decisions about critical work in critical times. Those decisions can make the difference between organizational success and failure. There is no more stressful position in an organization than that of development director.
If you’re thinking about hiring a development director and are trying to determine what she or he should be paid, read that last paragraph again. Then ask yourself what a good development director is worth to the organization. If you’re applying for a development director position and are being asked what pay you will expect if hired, read that paragraph again before you state your worth.
Hiring a firs-time D of D, or replacing one, perhaps some of what I have further learned will be a guide for you as the interviewer or the interviewee.
— When Should a Non-Profit Organization Hire its First Development Director?
http://www.raise-funds.com/2006/when-should-a-non-profit-organization-hire-its-first-development-director/
— What’s a Good Director of Development Worth?
http://www.raise-funds.com/2005/whats-a-good-director-of-development-worth/
Tony Poderis