BENCHMARKS: Physicians per major gift officer

…each one-year increment of greater experience was associated with an additional $69,000 in donations per year…”

Finding quantitative data on major gift officers – and their workload – in the literature is unusual.  This study is based on a 2015 survey of seven academic medical centers.  The researchers had hoped to arrive at an optimal workload ratio, but although they found an average of just under 48 faculty physicians per major gift officer, they do NOT consider this average to be an optimal figure.  They did find a statistically significant relationship between a major gift officer’s experience and the amount of donations – as noted in the quote above – highlighting the not surprising importance of retaining staff who are experienced in fundraising.

Source: Wheeler, J.L., et al. (2017, Spring). How many physicians per gift officer? Healthcare Philanthropy Journal, 46(1), 26-32.  Click here for publisher’s website: https://www.ahp.org/Home/Resources_and_Tools/Journal/Home/Resources_and_Tools/Healthcare_Philanthropy_Journal.aspx?hkey=9d23727d-f194-43c6-85e2-cd1e6888419b   Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050 rc@aha.org