Nonprofit organizations need major donors to secure their futures, and that is where the Director of Institutional Advancement comes in. This position helps cultivate and manage large donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations to ensure that the work of their nonprofit continues making an impact.
If you’re in the middle of your career, this could be a good position for you. PayScale.com reports that people in this position usually have fewer than 20 years of experience. It can also be a good step to a higher position as it often reports to others within an organization’s development department.
The salary of a Director of Institutional Advancement is going to vary based on a variety of factors. For example, educational level, years of relevant experience, and geographic location can play important roles in determining the salary of someone in this role. Additionally, the size of the nonprofit and its budget for salaries will in large part determine a salary of a Director of Institutional Advancement.
Different data sources point to a range of average salaries for this position. For instance, PayScale reports that the median salary for someone in this position is $74,737, and the average is $75,004 per year. Those in the 10th percentile earn about $46,000 annually, while those in the 90th percentile can earn around $120,000. The salary range in PayScale’s database as of July 2018 was between $46,059 and $124,238. Bonuses could be between $0 and $23,839 (which may or may not apply in a nonprofit workplace). This is based on 146 individuals reporting their salary for this position.
Updated in May 2014, Glassdoor reported salaries for five positions for Director of Institutional Advancement. They ranged from $45,720 per year to $129,877 annually. These data are in keeping with the range reported on PayScale.
While the pay range is large, you can typically expect to earn around $75,000 if you have the required experience and education the employer wants. Of course, if the organization’s budget is small, then you should expect to earn at the lower end of the pay range. Nonprofit organizations typically don’t have the ability to pay what you might earn in a similar position in the corporate world, and it is important to keep this in mind as you search for a position.
You may find a position as a Director of Institutional Advancement at a university where the need to keep the institution funded over the long term is vital to the mission of the organization. Religious organizations may also hire Directors of Institutional Advancement to help them continue their work. Large think tanks, and humanitarian assistance organizations are some other employers of Directors of Institutional Advancement.
When you look for a position with a nonprofit organization, consider your priorities regarding the mission of the organization you work for, your desire for work/life balance, the benefits the organization offers, local cost of living, the opportunity for advancement within the organization, and other factors that will impact your life. Salary may not be the most important factor in determining which organization to work for.
