Fundraising Leadership Salaries
Benchmark Report 2026
What should a senior fundraising leader earn at one of the UK’s largest charities?
Our second annual Fundraising Leadership Salary Benchmark looks at salaries for the most senior fundraising leaders across the UK’s top 100 charities by voluntary income.
The average salary is now £122,778, up around 4% on last year. But salary is only part of the picture. With 64% of roles now combining fundraising with marketing and communications, the scope of senior income leadership is changing too.
Using the same panel of charities as our 2025 analysis, this report shows where salaries sit today and how they have changed over the past year.
Why download this report?
Whether you are recruiting, reviewing your leadership structure or planning your next budget, this report provides a clear view of the current market for senior fundraising leadership.
Inside, you’ll find:
The latest average and median salaries for senior fundraising leaders
How pay has changed since our 2025 benchmark
The salary difference between fundraising-only and integrated fundraising, marketing and communications roles
How salaries vary by charity size and voluntary income
Salary patterns across different cause areas
How many salaries increased, decreased or stayed the same over the past year
Practical implications for recruitment, retention and governance
The report gives charities the data they need to understand the market and make more informed decisions about senior fundraising roles.
Request the report
Complete the form to download the Fundraising Leadership Salary Benchmark 2026 and see how senior fundraising salaries are changing across the UK's largest charities.
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About AAW
The AAW Group (AAW) is a global consultancy and search practice with a highly distinguished track record in not-for-profit leadership.
AAW’s benchmarking services include developing a range of sector reviews and benchmarks, individual charity performance benchmarking and overall Fundraising Benchmarks in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.
AAW provides consultancy support for non-profits of all cause areas internationally. Since 2016 we have supported hundreds of charities and non-profits with fundraising, marketing and income generation reviews, strategy and major appeal development, developing and delivering organisational design, new market strategies, new product development and data, digital and technology support.