Charities recruited fewer fundraisers in 2009 than before the recession, according to the latest fundraising salary survey.

The annual Kage Partnership Fundraising Survey reported a “significant decrease” in the number of fundraising jobs advertised in 2009 compared to the previous year, with average salaries of those advertised rising just 2.4 per cent over the period.

But the salary increase did not affect all fundraising jobs equally, with six out of fourteen fundraising job categories showing no salary increase at all. Major donor, events and community manager positions, however, all reported strong salary growth.

The most lucrative fundraising positions, aside from director of fundraising, according to the survey were major donor fundraising manager with an average salary of £39,000, followed closely by community/regional fundraising manager at an average of £38,000 a year.

Competition is tough for advertised jobs, with an over-supply of jobseekers and recruiters introducing more rigorous interviewing procedures. It would appear, however, less competitive in direct marketing and major donor fundraising, where the report authors argue there is a current skill shortage.

The survey is based on 350 job advertisements from January to December 2009 from 120 charities.