professional fundraiser

USA

An individual or company that, for compensation or other consideration, either:

• Solicits or helps to solicit contributions for or on behalf of another person, business or charity.

• Engages in, or represents to others as being engaged in, the business of soliciting contributions.

Some states regulate professional fundraisers that participate in charitable cause marketing campaigns, regardless of whether the fundraiser is engaging in the solicitation directly or under the direction of someone else. In these states, the following typically are not considered professional fundraisers:

• An officer or regular, non-temporary employee of a charity, provided that this person's salary or other compensation is not computed on the basis of funds that are raised.

• Someone who solicits political campaign contributions on behalf of candidates for public office or ballot initiatives.

• An attorney, investment counselor or banker who advises a person or entity to make a charitable contribution (but some states may regulate these types of professionals if they manage or maintain custody or control of the charitable contributions at any time).

See also

direct marketing