Donor Relations Specialist

About the Job

Reporting to the Executive Assistant for the VP of University Advancement, the Donor Relations Coordinator oversees the day-to-day operations of the Advancement Office and coordinates ongoing correspondence and connection related to the university’s donors. The Donor Relations Coordinator will serve as a primary Advancement representative to donors, students, and CCU faculty and leaders.

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914.  CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV) CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.

Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online. 

What is Most Appealing About Working at CCU?

1. Faith-friendly: Pursue academic excellence while openly reading the Bible, praying with colleagues and students, and advancing Christian values.
2. Convictionally Christian : An enduring commitment to Christ, His kingdom, and the truth of God’s Word.
3. Live out your calling : Use your God-given talents alongside like-minded teammates to profoundly influence students’ faith.
4. Equip students for kingdom work : Help students discover their callings and prepare them for significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and beyond.

We’re Looking for Candidates Who Have

1. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 2019 (or newer) – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (database experience preferred; Raiser’s Edge a plus)  Must have intermediate to advance technology skills.
2. Two years of professional office experience in higher education and/or non-profit organizations. Bachelor's degree preferred.
3. Strong writing and editing skills.
4. Excellent organization and multitasking abilities.
5. Outstanding interpersonal skills with a servant-hearted attitude; comfortable serving as a liaison across departments and interacting with constituents in-person and virtually.
6. Proven problem-solving skills.
7. Professional appearance and demeanor.

Key Job Duties

Advancement Services (70%)

1. Implement, assess, and work daily in CRM (Raisers Edge) to make it the database of record, updating donor records and attaching pertinent files to eliminate storing documents associated with donors outside of the database.
2. Revise and build queries and reports in CRM to support the Advancement stewardship process.
3. Develop query logic capabilities to eliminate manual processes and increase efficiency to support the Donor Services Manager with CRM report and query requests.
4. Manage general department incoming communications; this includes the Advancement general e-mail inbox, voicemail, physical mail, etc.
5. Coordinate accurate and timely donor receipting, reporting, and agreements working in collaboration with the Donor Services Manager on a daily basis and the Major Gifts team as needed. Work with the Donor Services Manager (and Finance and Financial Aid, when needed) to produce annual giving summaries, endowment fund reports, and other similar donor reporting. 
6. Run and distribute regular office reports in coordination with the Donor Services Manager.
7. Train and serve with the Donor Services Manager as a backup for donor database administration, gift processing, and gift reporting. 
8. Be a part of the Advancement events.
9. Oversee office management for the Advancement Office.  Oversite of office coverage.
10. Perform other duties to ensure efficient office operation

Scholarship Fund Management (30%)

1. Maintain accurate records for recurring and endowed scholarships, including drafting agreements and historical reporting.
2. Serve as primary contact for scholarship donors (coordinate with VP and team on communication plans and regular updates).
3. Plan and execute the annual Scholarship Luncheon for donors and recipients.
4. Keep CCU Endowment Foundation (CCUEF) President informed of key donor interactions.
5. Represent Advancement on Scholarship Advisory Committee(s) and recommend process improvements.
6. Administer scholarship applications/e-forms and ensure students send thank-you notes to donors.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.

What we offer our employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as each candidate progresses through the interview process.

Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of $19.00 - $24.00 an hour. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.

Application Status

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Salary : $19 - $24