The Donor Relations Associate assists in coordinating and implementing recognition, engagement, stewardship, and acknowledgment efforts for donors who give to the University of New England. This role is part of the team responsible for fostering ongoing philanthropic support from donors.
About the University of New England
UNE is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.
Benefits Overview
- Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
- Up to 8% retirement plan match.
- Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
- Educational benefits:
- UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.
- UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.
- 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.
For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview.
Responsibilities
Stewardship and Acknowledgment
- Prepare reports to donors that demonstrate the impact of their generosity, including both fund-specific and broad-based reports.
- Develop relationships with campus partners to assist in the reporting process.
- Implement process to thank select donors in a timely manner.
- Implement thank you process for first- and second-time donors, loyal donors, and other donor groups as priorities shift.
Recognition and Engagement
- Manage the recognition programs for loyal donors, planned giving donors, and other donor groups as priorities shift.
- Maintain a database of naming opportunities both fulfilled and available.
- Assist with donor-focused engagement opportunities, including logistical support.
Operations
- Update donor database with stewardship, engagement, and recognition actions; create queries and reports on these actions as necessary.
- Perform other related duties in support of the Institutional Advancement office as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 2 years of relevant experience or a combination of education and experience, from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, to develop appropriate priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Keen attention to detail, project management, and follow-up skills.
- An acute awareness of the importance of conveying impact to donors.
- Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, database, and familiarity with various project management communication tools.
- Excellent communication skills and a strong ability to build relationships with students and colleagues.
- Must be a self-starter with a willingness to take personal initiative to manage a project.
- Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and seek guidance from manager when appropriate.