Philanthropy and Foundations
Philanthropy and Foundations
Nonprofit & Community Impact Careers
Philanthropy and Foundations workers manage charitable resources and partnerships to advance defined public purposes.
What You Would Do
- Philanthropy and Foundations workers manage charitable resources and partnerships to advance defined public purposes
- Follow the laws
- Policies
- Evidence and professional standards that apply to the role
- Learn the mission
- Population
The exact work depends on the mission, community, funder, employer, program and level of responsibility.
Types of Work You Could Explore
Grantmaking — Develop, review, administer or report on funding proposals and awards.
Due diligence — Explore due diligence. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Portfolio learning — Explore portfolio learning. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Community engagement — Explore community engagement. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Governance — Explore governance. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Evaluation — Define outcomes, collect evidence and explain whether a program is working.
Reporting — Explore reporting. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
You do not have to choose a specialty before you begin. Job titles and specialty names vary among employers and training programs, and one job may include more than one type of work.
Who Might Like This Career
This career may appeal to you if you are interested in grantmaking, due diligence, portfolio learning. It can be a good fit for people who enjoy careful problem solving, accurate work, learning how missions, communities, resources and results connect and seeing a clear result from their effort.
Where You Could Work
private, community and corporate foundations and philanthropic advisory firms.
Pay and Job Outlook
Median annual pay: $72,550 in May 2025 for fundraisers, a related comparison occupation.
These are national U.S. figures for the occupation or comparison group named above, not a promised starting salary. Pay can vary considerably by location, experience, specialty, overtime, union agreement, employer, role, location, experience, credentials and funding or business conditions. People starting the career commonly earn less than experienced workers; paid training programs may increase wages as skills grow.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career and pay information
Skills You Can Start Building
- Philanthropy and Foundations workers manage charitable resources and partnerships to advance defined public purposes
- Follow the laws, policies, evidence and professional standards that apply to the role
- Connect programs and services with community needs
- Communicate respectfully with participants, partners, donors or volunteers
- Track budgets, grants, outcomes and required documentation
- Plan projects and coordinate people with different roles
- Use evidence and feedback to improve services and demonstrate impact
How Philanthropy and Foundations Work Is Changing
Online fundraising, case-management systems, remote services, open data, digital organizing and outcome dashboards are changing nonprofit work.
AI may assist with grant drafts, donor research, translation, outreach and data analysis. Organizations must protect participant and donor information, check bias and accuracy, and keep people accountable for decisions.
Technology can help organizations reach people and track resources, but workers remain responsible for trust, relationships, ethical decisions and whether services actually meet community needs.
Education and Training
Preparation may include paid entry work, service programs, apprenticeship where available, certificates, college, co-op or employer training. Many professional, evaluation and leadership roles require a bachelor degree and relevant experience.
Career Pathways and Apprenticeship Availability
Typical pathway: Employer training and related paid experience are common; apprenticeship availability varies.
Foundation apprenticeships and fellowships exist but are limited. Investment, legal and tax duties require appropriate expertise.
A Registered Apprenticeship follows an approved training plan and combines paid work, supervised learning, related instruction and progressive skill development. Some employers use the word apprenticeship for paid programs that are not registered. Ask the sponsor which type it is and what credential, wage progression and job it provides.
Licenses and Certifications
Most nonprofit roles are not licensed, but fundraising registration, lobbying, grants, safeguarding, privacy and financial rules may apply. Professional certificates can support learning but do not replace required experience.
Look up licenses in your state
Career Pathways to Learn Philanthropy and Foundations and Gain Experience
Apprenticeship — Learn through real paid work with experienced workers who teach and guide you, supported by technical instruction and a structure for developing and measuring progress. Some apprenticeships are Registered Apprenticeships; others are not.
Entry-Level Jobs — Gain paid experience with tools, equipment, customer service, safety and workplace practices through beginning work in the field.
Youth Apprenticeship — Begin developing career skills through work while continuing high-school education where a suitable program is available.
Career and Technical Education CTE — Build applied skills through human services, nonprofit management, communications, business, public administration or data programs.
Pre-Apprenticeship — Learn introductory skills, safety and workplace expectations while preparing for apprenticeship or employment. Verify that the program connects participants with real employers and does not charge tuition simply for possible access to an apprenticeship.
Co-op — Combine education with career-related work experience through a high school, CTE program, community college or other educational program.
Paid Work-Based Learning — Get paid to do real work for an employer while learning skills and gaining experience related to the career.
Employer or Professional Training — Learn grant systems, fundraising platforms, program methods, financial controls, safeguarding and role-specific standards.
From Learning to Experienced Work
Skills develop through practice and experience. People who are new to the work usually receive more instruction and supervision. As they demonstrate skill, judgment and reliability, they take on more difficult work, greater responsibility and more independent assignments.
A common progression: Learn → Practice → Gain Experience → Build Confidence → Take on More Responsibility → Work More Independently
Experienced workers may eventually supervise work or teach and guide newer workers, trainees and apprentices.
Where This Career Can Lead
With experience, you may specialize in programs, development, advocacy, operations, technology or evaluation; lead teams; manage an organization; consult; or move into philanthropy or public service.
Questions to Ask Before You Apply
- Is this a paid job from the beginning?
- Is it a Registered Apprenticeship, an employer-run apprenticeship, another training program or a regular job with training?
- What equipment and work will I learn, and who will teach me on the job?
- How does pay increase as I gain skills?
- Who provides the classes, and can I earn college credit or an industry credential?
- What tools, transportation, physical requirements, licenses, background checks or costs should I expect?
Explore related careers
Consider these careers with overlapping tools, materials, systems or work settings:
Social Enterprise
Faith-Based and Community Services
International Development
Humanitarian and Relief Services
Nonprofit Communications
Nonprofit Finance and Operations
Impact Measurement and Evaluation
Explore opportunities
Search apprenticeships and programs on Apprenticeship.com
Explore Apprenticeship.com state apprenticeship guides
Learn more from official career resources