Fundraiser onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Grant Professional Certified (GPC) (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: donor CRMs (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce); email marketing tools; wealth screening tools; event platforms
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Fundraiser training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Protect donor data
Follow ethical fundraising standards
Be honest about gift use
Travel safely to meetings
Shadow an experienced fundraiser through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: make a major gift ask
Supervised practice: write a year-end appeal
Supervised practice: thank a donor well
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Identify and research donors: independently
Build donor relationships: independently
Ask for gifts: independently
Plan events and campaigns: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE))
Discuss the career path: Development Assistant → Development Officer → Major Gifts Officer
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Make a Major Gift Ask
Write a Year-End Appeal
Thank a Donor Well
Donor research
Solicitation
Grant writing
Event planning

How to measure onboarding success

Time to independent caseload
Documentation timeliness and audit results
Client outcomes and satisfaction
First-year retention

How Fundraiser training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Fundraiser Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Fundraiser Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Fundraiser Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Fundraiser Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)