A snapshot survey of 272 fundraisers across the world has found that one in six are looking to leave the profession within the next two years.

The survey, which includes the views of 58 UK fundraisers, also found that just under two in five are looking to leave their current employer within the same time frame.

The Heart of Fundraising: The Impact of Wellbeing and Love on Fundraiser Retention report which contains the survey findings has been published by the Institute of Sustainable Philanthropy and also looked at the support fundraisers receive in the workplace.

This found that only one in eight say there is a clear career path in their organisation, which underlines the need to improve career development, professional recognition within the profession, says the Institute.

Its survey found that the strongest motivators to staying in a role were “making a difference to the cause, autonomy at work, positive team relationships, feeling valued, being trusted by senior management and Boards, being respected as a professional, and positive relationships with donors” with salary and benefits ranked lower.

“Fundraisers are telling us that they want more than a job,” said lead author Adrian Sargeant.

“They want to feel that their work matters, that their expertise is respected and that they are valued as professionals by the organisation they serve.”

He added: “One of the striking findings is that many fundraisers appear to believe they must move on in order to move up.

“If organisations want to retain talent, they need to plan for their future whether that be with the current employer or not.”

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