Charity & Not-for-Profit Salary Guide 2026 | Fundraising & Charity Sector Salaries UK

The Merrifield Consultants Charity & Not-for-Profit Salary Guide 2026 provides a comprehensive snapshot of pay, hiring trends and career progression across the UK charity sector.

Designed for both hiring managers and charity professionals, the guide brings together market insight from across fundraising, marketing, membership, digital, office support and operational roles. Whether you are benchmarking salaries, preparing a new hire, or considering your next career move, this guide offers the data and context needed to make informed decisions.

Across the sector, organisations continue to face a complex hiring landscape. Rising operational costs, increased service demand and competition for specialist talent are all shaping salary expectations and recruitment strategies. At the same time, charities must balance fair pay with tight budgets and growing organisational needs.

Our 2026 guide explores how these dynamics are influencing pay across the not-for-profit workforce and where the most significant shifts are taking place.

What’s Inside the Salary Guide

The full report includes detailed salary benchmarks and insights across key charity sector functions, including:

• Fundraising roles – from Individual Giving Executives to Heads of Fundraising
• Marketing & Communications professionals working across charities and membership organisations
• Membership and Events specialists
• Digital and Technology roles supporting modern charity operations
• Office Support, HR and operational staff

You’ll also find commentary on how the recruitment landscape is evolving and which skill sets are becoming increasingly valuable to charities.

Key Insights from the 2026 Charity Salary Guide

Inside the full report you will discover:

• Current salary benchmarks for charity roles across the UK
• Where fundraising and high-value income roles are seeing salary growth
• Which positions are becoming hardest for charities to recruit
• How organisations are balancing budget constraints with talent retention
• Emerging skills in demand across digital, fundraising and membership teams

Competition for experienced professionals in areas such as corporate fundraising, philanthropy and strategic partnerships has increased significantly in recent years, with salaries rising for candidates who can deliver major income streams and long-term donor relationships.

Why Salary Benchmarking Matters in the Charity Sector

Benchmarking salaries has become essential for charities that want to remain competitive when attracting and retaining talent. While many professionals are motivated by purpose and impact, organisations still need to ensure their remuneration packages reflect market realities.

Transparent salary benchmarking helps charities:

• Set competitive pay structures
• Improve candidate attraction and retention
• Support internal pay equity and transparency
• Plan sustainable workforce growth

For candidates, salary insight provides a clearer understanding of career progression and earning potential within the not-for-profit sector.

Who This Guide Is For

The Merrifield Consultants Salary Guide is designed for:

Charity leaders and hiring managers
Benchmark salaries, structure teams and plan recruitment strategies.

HR and people teams
Understand salary expectations and benefits across the sector.

Fundraising, marketing and charity professionals
Compare your current salary with market benchmarks and explore career opportunities.

About Merrifield Consultants

Merrifield Consultants is a specialist recruitment partner dedicated to the not-for-profit and charity sector, supporting organisations with talent across fundraising, digital & technology, membership & events and office support roles.

Working closely with charities and membership bodies across the UK, the team provides recruitment expertise, market insight and salary benchmarking to help organisations build high-performing teams.

Request the Full Salary Guide

To access the complete salary benchmarks, hiring trends and expert commentary, add your details below and a copy will be sent to you.

Download the guide to explore:

• Detailed salary tables
• Hiring and talent trends
• Role-by-role benchmarks across the charity sector

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the average salary in the UK charity sector?

Salaries across the UK charity sector vary depending on role, experience and organisation size. Entry-level roles such as fundraising assistants or administrators often start in the mid-£20,000 range, while experienced professionals and senior leaders – including Heads of Fundraising or Directors – can command salaries significantly higher. The Merrifield Consultants Charity Salary Guide 2026 provides detailed benchmarks across fundraising, marketing, membership, digital and operational roles.

What does a Fundraising Manager earn in the UK?

Fundraising Manager salaries in the UK typically vary based on the type of fundraising managed (corporate partnerships, major gifts, individual giving or events), organisational size and location. Mid-level fundraising professionals often see strong demand due to their ability to deliver sustainable income streams. The full salary guide includes detailed salary ranges for Fundraising Executives, Managers and Heads of Fundraising.

Why do charities use salary benchmarking?

Salary benchmarking helps charities ensure their pay levels remain competitive while working within budget constraints. By comparing salaries across the sector, organisations can attract the right talent, improve staff retention and maintain internal pay equity. Benchmarking also helps charities plan recruitment strategies and structure teams more effectively.

How have charity sector salaries changed in 2026?

The charity recruitment market continues to evolve as organisations respond to rising demand for services, increased competition for fundraising professionals and the need for specialist skills such as digital fundraising and donor engagement. Salary expectations are shifting in some areas of the sector, particularly for roles that directly support income generation and long-term donor relationships.

Where can I download the Charity Salary Guide 2026?

You can download the full Merrifield Consultants Charity & Not-for-Profit Salary Guide 2026 directly from this page. The guide includes detailed salary benchmarks, hiring trends and insights across fundraising, marketing, digital, membership and operational roles within the UK charity sector.