Donor Relations Specialist

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director of Advancement

Office Admin

January 1, 2021

September 8, 2026

Exempt

The Donor Relations Specialist (DRS) plays a vital role in supporting BUA's Christ-centered advancement efforts by ensuring donor data integrity and executing stewardship workflows. The DRS assists the Executive Director of Advancement and the President of BUA in cultivating and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, and church partners.

This role is highly detail-oriented, relational, and mission-driven, reflecting BUA's Baptist identity and commitment to excellence.

Manages donor database in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT and Microsoft Teams / SharePoint. This includes operational, scholarship, and estate, and institutional dollars.

Position also fills marketing needs in coordination with BUA's marketing leadership.

This position assists with all development efforts including grant management and events.

• Receive and maintain receipts and receivables of donations and produce thank you letters.
• Overseeing Gift Detail and Summary Report to verify that Raiser's Edge Appeals and Reference are recorded correctly.
• Work with the donor staff in drafting a yearlong plan with objectives, goals, and a reasonable timeline regarding cultivation of gifts.
• Support donor solicitation calls to external constituents to promote the University to meet the goals set by the development office.
• Assist in the collection of university success stories and staff stories to be used in external communication pieces; maintain a relevant and current list of mission opportunities for donors.
• Assist with BUA's "Called" magazine and Eagle Network–The 47 Club alumni outreach.
• Support branding and copy edit articles to be included in quarterly newsletters, social media, and other external venues.
• Support donor engagement marketing plan and calendar to promote BUA to donors and donor prospects via social media, articles, and newsletters throughout the year.
• Assist the Executive Director of Advancement (EDA) with events & campaigns such as golf classic, fundraising dinner, and programs like BUA's Eagle Network and volunteer engagement.
• Develop and implement a plan to systematically collect data and fundraise through our alumni.
• Maintain accurate records in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT with current and future donors, which includes grant management.
• Assist in planning, organizing and implementing all Board of Trustee information such as creating development sections for board book and communication with Trustees.
• Plan and schedule regional gatherings with alumni in order to solidify information for alumni database and deepen our relationships with our donors.
• Plan and implement year end donor ask which can include, reporting, any mailers and contacts that need to be made.
• Assist and work with the development work study and interns assigned to the office.
• Update BUA website when needed.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of the annual golf classic, fundraising dinner, and 47 Club Founders Forums.
• Work with staff and committees as needed to accomplish specialized tasks such as banquets, reporting, capital drives, and other events.
• Effectively monitor trends and changes in development practices and legislation at the state and federal levels and notify leadership of all relevant changes.
• Collaborate with and achieve actionable results through others; build strong and sustainable working relationships and interaction within the University. Establish excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, including the employees at BUA.
• Perform general office tasks as required. Accurately prepare and proofread letters, memos, spreadsheets and other…