Development Specialist - Foundation

For best consideration, please submit application materials by March 29, 2026.

* To be considered for this role, please submit a complete application including Employment History, Resume & Cover Letter. In your Cover Letter, please tell us how your education and experience prepares you to meet the goals of this position.

Job Summary

Assists with and supports in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Foundation, corporate donors, and prospects. Maintains the development database, and coordinates with other college and foundation databases as needed to assist with donor, alumni, scholarship, and college program fund reporting and additional updates.
Partners with finance to maintain data integrity and ensure accuracy of records.

Essential Duties

* Coordinates the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process for donors and prospects.
Tracks communications and donations; ensures timely recognition of gifts to the Foundation and College.  

* Assists Foundation staff with data entry and donor record upkeep. Records all gifts. Manages lists and updates regarding donors and their level of giving for the donor recognition wall and annual report.

* Enters and processes all forms of daily payment information including checks, cash, and credit cards, gifts in-kind, stock gifts, and invoice reminders. Audits and reconciles development and accounting systems in coordination with Finance.

* Prepares, selects, merges, and sends appropriate and individualized gift acknowledgement letters for sponsor ships, in memoriam, stocks, etc.

* Processes recurring gifts and reconciles monthly staff giving with the College's payroll department.  

* Performs routine imports, exports, and data mapping between the development database and other databases. Performs record and data cleanup/updates in the development database to ensure consistency and integrity.

* Creates query-based list exports for regular mailings and e-blasts scheduled throughout the year for targeted solicitation appeals, alumni and donor appreciation event invites, scholarship donor renewals.

* Provides customer service, both in person and over the phone, by providing general guidance, information and assistance.

* Supports and assists with the administrative coordination and implementation of fundraising and alumni efforts and events, including but not limited to auctions, donor recognition, annual campaigns, alumni outreach, retiree events and annual dinners.

* Compiles and monitors deadlines for potential grants. Sends out reminders and follows up as needed.

* Provides administrative support to the volunteer Foundation Alumni Committee. Works with committee chair and Foundation staff to coordinate meetings and compile materials.

* Coordinates and monitors implementation of the Foundation's Stewardship Plan for all fundraising campaigns, events and giving societies, including thank-you and recognition processes. Maintains calendars and deadlines, provides data reporting, tracks progress, and coordinates follow up as needed.

Additional Duties

* Keeps up to date on industry trends and software

* Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Associates degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

Experience/Training:

* Minimum (3) years of administrative experience

* Experience working with donor management software

* Intermediate skills utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

* Experience with Raiser's Edge software and certification preferred

* Experience processing payments and reconciling accounts.

* Familiarity with auction related software, preferably Greater Giving.

* Experience with non-profit accounting or donor relations.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

* Quick data entry skills balanced with strong accuracy and attention to detail

* Knowledge of development and foundation best practices

* Working knowledge of a general ledger and gift coding structure

* Strong organizational and prioritization skills

* Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision

* Ability to maintain a positive and professional demeanor and demonstrate credibility, integrity, and confidentiality

* Computer skills and ability to work in a Windows environment

* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and follow directions, policies and procedures

* Ability to apply common sense and critical thinking to carry out instructions and make decisions within scope of authority

* Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing

* Knowledge of spelling, grammar, and other written communication skills

* Ability to problem-solve in complex situations

* Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals

* Ability to analyze and organize data

* Ability to create, streamline, and update processes

Working…