Benefactor Relations Specialist

Summary of Position

The Benefactor Relations Specialist is a strategic partner within Augsburg Universitys Institutional Advancement (IA) team. This position develops implements and manages a comprehensive benefactor engagement and stewardship program designed to support the short- and long-term advancement goals and is responsible for managing and executing all aspects of donor relations and stewardship.

Primary Responsibilities

Division Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive cultivation and stewardship program that enhances Augsburgs recognition of and accountability to its donors.
• Partner with gift officers IA leadership campus partners and volunteer leaders to develop and execute strategies for benefactor engagement and stewardship.
• Provide high-level support to the Vice President and Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement in order to ensure overall strategies to engage solicit and steward gifts at the highest level are executed.
• Build out and manage a comprehensive stewardship plan for benefactors at all levels in order to grow generosity with the institution.

Engagement and Stewardship:

• Partner with gift officers University leaders faculty and staff partners and volunteer leaders to execute experiences and connections that are appropriate for each individual or family arranging creative and inspiring experiences both on and off-campus.
• Lead manage and facilitate follow up for all major and principal level benefactor campus visits.
• In collaboration with the Senior Philanthropic Communications Specialist plan manage and execute meetings and events that advance benefactor engagement cultivation and stewardship of gifts.
• Coordinate with campus partners and departments to make the IA division aware of student activities events and other opportunities to demonstrate impact for Augsburgs benefactors.
• Find opportunities to connect and engage donors and their fund recipients including creating or identifying opportunities and events to connect donors to the impact of their philanthropy.
• Lead efforts to envision plan and execute all donor recognition and stewardship events.
• Manage the bi-weekly thank-you letters from the University President.

Gift Reporting and Recognition:

• Manage processes that standardize gift acknowledgements at all levels.
• Partner with Advancement Services to ensure accurate and timely benefactor communications.
• Create giving reports to principal gift donors in concert with the Senior Philanthropic Communications Specialist.
• Create periodic endowment and fund allocation reports.
• Systematically review all gifts and endowment funds and collaborate with the Universitys finance office in generating the necessary financial reports.
• Manage compliance with donor intent on gift direction and use by coordinating with finance academic departments financial aid and Institutional Advancement.
• Develop and manage processes that ensure Augsburg volunteers feel engaged and appreciated.
• Manage tangible donor recognition including gifts of appreciation plaques etc.

Additional Responsibilities

• Partner with departments across campus to ensure experiences are planned and communicated effectively and represent the University its rich history current students and future pursuits.
• Cultivate a culture of philanthropy and gratitude among current faculty staff and students alumni and friends of Augsburg.
• Coordinate with IA colleagues by facilitating meetings individual check ins and sharing email signals to the division.
• Other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Typical work environment is an office. Sedentary work for long periods of time. 
• Regular computer and phone use.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.
• Regular local travel and occasional national travel.

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree.
• At least three (3) years of directly related experience in fundraising curated experiences and/or volunteer management.  
• Experience working in CRM database(s).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Raisers Edge.
• Previous donor relations experience.
• Five (5) or more years of directly related experience in philanthropy fundraising and/or volunteer management.

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Excellent communication skills: ability to speak to groups; communicate in writing and listening skills with the ability to translate the goals of colleagues and campus partners into action.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues leaders external stakeholders and campus partners
• Ability to work effectively in a past-faced environment.
• Ability to be attentive to details accuracy and precision.
• Ability to multitask organize workflow and manage multiple projects.
• Demonstrate professionalism patience and sound judgement.
• Demonstrate a polished professional character.

Additional Information :

Compensation & Benefits at Augsburg

• The compensation range is $55000 - $75000 per year DOQ. Title and compensation for this position will be based on a candidates commensurate experience.

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including: 

• Medical dental and vision coverage
• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility
• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees spouses and dependents and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US
• Generous paid time-off including 14 paid holidays 12 sick days 2 community service days and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire
• Employer-paid STD LTD and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Equal Opportunity

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender sexual orientation marital status gender identity race age disability religion national origin color or any other protected class.  

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race color creed religion gender age national origin familial status disability veteran status sexual orientation gender identity gender expression marital status or public assistance status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: or email:

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time