Public relations managers shape an organization's image, identify audiences and how to reach them, choose spokespeople, write press releases, advise executives and supervise staff. Fundraising managers plan and carry out fundraising strategies, find and contact donors, plan events, meet donors face to face, apply for grants and track progress toward goals.
The short answer: some exposure, with faster than average growth. The ILO's 2025 index places the closest group, advertising and public relations managers, in its minimal exposure band, with a score of 0.39. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035 for public relations and fundraising managers, faster than average, with about 9,800 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed public relations and fundraising managers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Public Relations Managers | Minimal exposure | 0.39 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for public relations and fundraising managers, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Public relations and fundraising managers | Grow 6% | About 9,800 |
The BLS says organizations continue to emphasize community outreach and customer relations, and as social media speeds up how news travels, public relations managers will be needed to help respond to news developments to maintain their organization's reputation. It says fundraising managers are expected to remain important for organizations, such as colleges and universities, that depend heavily on donations, and that more nonprofits are using social media for fundraising.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting press releases and media materials, with facts to check.
- Drafting grant applications and donor letters.
- Tracking news and social media mentions.
What stays with public relations and fundraising managers
- Reputation calls: deciding how to respond when news breaks.
- Donors: meeting donors face to face and building relationships.
- Leading staff: assigning, supervising and reviewing the team's work.
- Checking AI help: generated statements and grant text can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Faster news and online fundraising keep these managers in demand, according to the BLS. Writing help is easy to get; judgment about what to say and trust with donors is not. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace public relations specialists?, will AI replace fundraisers? and will AI replace marketing?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for public relations managers at $136,470 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace public relations and fundraising managers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 9,800 openings a year.
How exposed are public relations managers to AI?
The closest ILO group, advertising and public relations managers, is in the minimal exposure band, with a score of 0.39.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to faster news through social media, community outreach, and organizations that depend on donations.
What do fundraising managers do?
They plan fundraising strategies, contact and meet donors, plan events, apply for grants and supervise staff.