General Job Brief
The Gift Processor/Stewardship Coordinator provides administrative and operational support for the University's advancement and fundraising efforts through gift processing, donor database management, donor stewardship, grant support, and fundraising initiatives. Assists with donor and prospect engagement activities, coordinates communications and reporting, and helps cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, alumni, and funding partners while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and exceptional customer service. This role also requires a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to the unique Christian mission and vision of ACU to Transform Culture with Truth, and the ability to advance that mission and vision through the performance of its duties, including person-to-person mentorship and discipleship.
Typical Duties
- Process and acknowledge charitable gifts received by the University, ensuring timely and accurate entry into the University's donor management system.
- Maintain accurate and complete donor records and constituent information within the University's advancement database.
- Assist with the preparation, production and distribution of donor communications, newsletters, reports, appeals and other Advancement materials.
- Serve as a point of contact for donor inquiries and provide exceptional customer service to donors, alumni and friends of the University.
- Support ACU's moves management process by reviewing donor activity and giving information to identify first-time donors, donors requiring personal follow-up and prospects ready for further engagement.
- Prepare and maintain donor call lists, prospect reports, action items and recommended next steps for Advancement team members.
- Assist with developing and coordinating intentional cultivation and stewardship plans that move donors and prospects toward deeper engagement with the University.
- Assist with grant stewardship by tracking award documentation, reporting requirements and deadlines; coordinating required reports; and maintaining accurate records of grant activity and funder communications.
- Collaborate with University departments to collect information needed for grant proposals, reports and other funder communications.
- Research and identify grant opportunities from foundations, corporations and other funders that align with the University's mission, programs and funding priorities.
- Support the preparation and submission of grant applications, letters of inquiry, proposals and related materials.
- Support Advancement team meetings by preparing prospect information, recording decisions and updating donor records, assignments and planned actions.
- Support the Advancement team's fundraising campaigns and donor outreach initiatives.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding donor information, University business matters and sensitive communications.
- Perform other duties and tasks assigned with integrity and professionalism.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Demonstrate a personal and growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Maintain a commitment to the mission and values of Arizona Christian University and agreement with ACU's Statement of Faith.
- Demonstrate an active Christian faith and a commitment to the University's faith statement, mission and purposes.
- Be comfortable and familiar with the practice of praying with and for others, including students, faculty and fellow University staff.
- Meaningfully support and encourage students, faculty and staff from a biblical worldview perspective, using relevant and applicable references from the Old and New Testaments and orthodox Christian writings.
- Demonstrate alignment with and enthusiastic support for the Christian mission and Core Commitments of the University, including signing the University's Statement of Faith and Core Commitments annually.
- Complete other duties and tasks with the utmost integrity and professionalism, as directed, including responsibilities not specifically mentioned in this description.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Two to five years of experience in administration, advancement, gift processing, donor stewardship, Moves Management, grant support, event management, customer service, nonprofit work or a related field.
- Experience with donor database software required; experience with Virtuous CRM strongly preferred.
- Experience with CRM or database systems such as Virtuous, Raiser's Edge or Salesforce preferred.
- Experience supporting donor cultivation, stewardship or Moves Management activities preferred.
- Experience researching grant opportunities or supporting grant applications and reporting preferred.
- Strong written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
- Commitment to ACU's mission, Statement of Faith and biblical worldview.
Abilities and Skills
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Workspace.
- Strong research skills and the ability to evaluate grant opportunities for alignment with University priorities.
- Ability to review donor information and giving activity to identify opportunities for outreach, cultivation and stewardship.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate donor, gift, prospect and grant records.
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
- Self-disciplined, well-organized and efficient in time management, with the ability to work well independently.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on effective phone and email communication.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across University departments.
- A genuine love for people and a natural curiosity about how to best serve and engage with them.
Time Required
40 hours per week.
Fair Labor Standards Act
This position is full-time, exempt from overtime pay provisions under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state laws.