Dear Nonprofit Staff: Are You the Reason Your Fundraisers Are Burning Out?
Are you the reason your fundraisers are burning out?
This might be a hard question to sit with — but it’s one program staff, operations teams, and leaders NEED to ask. How well your organization collaborates with development directly impacts your ability to deliver on your mission.
Why This Matters
The average fundraiser stays in their position just 16–24 months*.
For major-gift fundraisers, 42% have been in their current role 18 months or less*.
Many fundraisers plan to leave within the next year or two; a large portion are unsure whether they’ll stay in the profession at all*.
Cultivating a major donor often takes 12–24 months (or more) of consistent relationship building*.
When fundraisers leave, the relationships they’ve worked hard to build are interrupted. Donors get concerned when the person they trust leaves — they question leadership, lose confidence, hesitate to give, or stop giving altogether. Every departure sets your organization back, not just in revenue, but in time, trust, and momentum.