Assistant Director for Donor Services

Posted on 11/18/2022

Columbia Theological Seminary

Decatur, GA

The Assistant Director for Donor Services (ADDS) supports the goals of the Advancement team and the seminary generally, to inform relationship-building with our donors. The ADDS advances effective, accurate, timely, creative, and data-informed engagement with stakeholders by managing the donor and constituency-centered platforms and CRMs.

The ideal candidate for this role brings a blend of technical problem solving, CRM agility, and a sensibility for proactive and responsive donor relations. This position reports to the Director of Development and provides significant support for the President, Vice President of Advancement, Director of Alumni and Church Relations, and Director of Major Giving. This position has growth and expansion potential.

About Columbia Theological Seminary:

Columbia Theological Seminary was founded in 1828 and is an educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Led by a visionary and dynamic president, Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, we are committed to educate, equip, and nurture students to become a new generation of pastoral leaders for the church and the world; to become a community that embodies welcome, hospitality, justice, and belonging; to build partnerships that bring vibrant spiritual, cultural, and academic exchanges; and to embrace boldness, enabling us to learn, teach, serve, and live joyfully.

Columbia has a tree-lined 57-acre campus with green-certified buildings, a conference center, and playing fields and gardens that are open to our community neighbors. The campus is easily accessible just east of the Atlanta Beltline and six miles from downtown Atlanta in Decatur, GA and is across the street from Decatur’s largest park. The City of Decatur is home to more than 200 restaurants, shops, and local attractions, and its historic, vibrant downtown area is on the MARTA rail line.

In-person presence for certain critical aspects of the role is required. Other duties may be performed remotely.

Columbia offers an extraordinarily generous benefit package as a commitment to the growth and flourishing of its employees. Continuing education is encouraged and supported.

About the Qualifications: 

Minimum qualifications for this position include:

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Three years working knowledge of CRMs, including verifiable experience in CRM administration
  • Raiser’s Edge and Fundriver preferred
  • Experience in prospect research using online sources, experience with ResearchPoint a plus
  • Blackbaud RE certification preferred. Aptitude to obtain required

Essential Functions: 

  • Maintain the integrity of the Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge (RE) CRM by recommending supporting modules and/or software integration; assuring updates and patches are made in a timely fashion; running periodic updates such as Address Finder and the deceased record finder; and recommending best system-supported practices for online giving, gift receipting, and data entry quality control
  • Maintain accurate constituent records for alumni, individuals, estates, churches, organizations and foundations through RE Help ticket system and other proactive data maintenance measures
  • Manage the seminary’s endowed fund reporting through Fundriver. In collaboration with the Business Office, import fund values biannually. Generate and disseminate endowment reports annually. Respond to donor inquiries regularly
  • Receive, record, transmit, post, report, and reconcile with Business Office all paper, online, ACH and payroll deduction gifts, pledges, pledge payments, matching gifts, and other contributions
  • Maintain accurate electronic and paper files for all information regarding and accompanying each gift
  • Produce acknowledgment letters, pledge reminders and tax statements; and corporate matching gift follow-up. Regularly update acknowledgement templates
  • Manage tribute gift notifications in a timely and meaningful way
  • Respond to donor inquiries and requests in a timely and meaningful way
  • Conceptualize, advise, develop and produce mailing lists, data files, donor recognition lists, prospective supporter lists and event invitation lists using RE and RE NXT
  • Engage in active research within RE using ResearchPoint to identify opportunities for Meet the Call, the Annual Fund for Columbia, the major gift program, campaigns and special appeals
  • Produce essential regular reports for financial reconciliation; seminary administration; prospect management and staff activity, Board and Advancement Committee meetings
  • Train and support staff and student workers to utilize RE and Fundriver as appropriate
  • Mobilization and oversight of student workers in relevant tasks
  • Assist with special events, including registration and gift processing
  • Adherence to the Donor Bill of Rights and AFP Code of Ethical Standards
  • Other duties as requested

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required: 

  • Knowledge of fundraising principles and practices
  • Understanding of the interconnectedness of CRM integrity and donor relations
  • Comfort engaging with donors of all levels and strong attentiveness to donor inquiries and needs
  • Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and digital.
  • Strong organizational skills, initiative-taking, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills
  • Handle confidential information of donors with empathy, tact and discretion
  • Knowledge of and compliance with all applicable financial guidelines, including but not limited to the Internal Revenue Code, federal and state law, CASE, ATS, SACS, FASB, and GAAP standards
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Teams and strong working capacity in Excel
  • Experience with digital communication platforms such as Online Express and MailChimp
  • Proficiency using report writing tools, including Crystal reports
  • Desire to grow and lead in the field of donor and advancement services • Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and strategically with others
  • Ability to assess and develop departmental network, hardware, software, and integration needs

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY is an educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and a community of theological inquiry and formation committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the service of the Church of Jesus Christ. Established in the Reformed tradition, we embody an ecumenical spirit and welcome people of all denominational backgrounds.

To apply for this job please visit www.ctsnet.edu.