Yes, an NCAA athletic director (AD) should absolutely act as a fundraiser—actively and strategically. In today’s collegiate athletics landscape, fundraising is one of the most critical responsibilities of an AD, especially at Division I institutions.. An NCAA athletic director should be an active fundraiser. It’s not just a peripheral duty—it’s a core leadership function that directly affects the competitiveness, stability, and growth of the athletic program. In fact, many institutions today prioritize fundraising ability when hiring for the AD position.
Fundraising is a core function of the AD role because of the escalating costs of college athletics (scholarships, facilities, coaching salaries, travel, and recruiting all require substantial funding) and limited revenue from ticket sales or media rights (outside of major programs), donations are essential to stay competitive. Fundamentally, there is a capital campaign/facilities arms race. Many athletic departments run multi-million-dollar campaigns for new stadiums, practice facilities, and training centers. Donors want to hear from the AD—they see them as the visionary and steward of the program. And we can't forget the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. While ADs may not directly manage NIL collectives, they often play a key role in shaping donor understanding and support for NIL efforts, legally and strategically. Finally, with respect to leadership and relationship building, major donors and alumni often expect direct access to the AD, not just development staff. Cultivating these relationships can unlock seven- and eight-figure gifts.
Fundraising is a core function of the AD role because of the escalating costs of college athletics (scholarships, facilities, coaching salaries, travel, and recruiting all require substantial funding) and limited revenue from ticket sales or media rights (outside of major programs), donations are essential to stay competitive. Fundamentally, there is a capital campaign/facilities arms race. Many athletic departments run multi-million-dollar campaigns for new stadiums, practice facilities, and training centers. Donors want to hear from the AD—they see them as the visionary and steward of the program. And we can't forget the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. While ADs may not directly manage NIL collectives, they often play a key role in shaping donor understanding and support for NIL efforts, legally and strategically. Finally, with respect to leadership and relationship building, major donors and alumni often expect direct access to the AD, not just development staff. Cultivating these relationships can unlock seven- and eight-figure gifts.
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