Stewardship Specialist

Stewardship Specialist Summary

As a member of the Institutional Advancement division, the Stewardship Specialist plays a key role in executing stewardship strategies that acknowledge, recognize, and retain the Garden’s top supporters. The role produces a high volume of highly personalized gift acknowledgments and gratitude letters for signature by the Garden’s President and division leadership and oversees their timely signature, delivery, and filing. The position delivers exemplary patron service through the donor concierge phone line and email inbox.

The specialist also contributes to the planning and execution of impactful donor events and helps maintain accurate donor records in the Garden’s CRM through timely data entry and updates.

• Produces timely, accurate, and personalized tax receipts and gift acknowledgements for contributions of $250 or more, including outright gifts, pledges, pledge payments, in‑kind donations, etc. (Approximately 3,500 acknowledgement letters and approximately $5 million in unrestricted contributed revenue annually).
• Ensures that gifts are acknowledged according to IRS guidelines and the Garden’s best practices, with particular attention on gift vehicle and designation.
• Writes and edits highly personalized acknowledgments that recognize the donor’s previous giving and affiliations; requires research into MBG programs, consultation with staff across divisions, and review of other communications to ensure each letter accurately reflects the purpose and impact of the gift.
• In addition to acknowledgments, creates personalized gratitude letters for the Garden’s President and coordinates their timely review and signature with the President’s Office staff.
• Assembles and mails acknowledgments, Garden Giving Society membership materials, and other items related to membership benefits fulfillment (complimentary passes, gifts, etc.).
• Maintains accurate records for all major gift documentation and donor correspondence (both electronic and hardcopy) in accordance with department procedures, and retrieves information as required.
• Responsible for managing and monitoring donor concierge phone line and email inbox, serving approximately 1,600 Garden Giving Society member households and top supporters by providing timely responses and directing inquiries to appropriate staff member(s).
• Plays a critical role in the overall maintenance and integrity of constituent data; maintains and updates department databases and spreadsheets.
• Provides event support inclusive of planning, coordination, production of collateral materials, management of invitation responses, and onsite staffing.
• Assists the Development Coordinator with the Young Friends Council including the preparation of meeting materials and providing support for three annual fundraising events.
• Participates in internal meetings and coordinates with Development team members, and completes duties to achieve current division goals and objectives.
• Supports the division’s wider fundraising activities by selling memberships at public events, serving on Garden committees as assigned, and remaining up to date on the Garden’s work and community offerings.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; writes clearly and presents information accurately; speaks professionally and responds well to questions; supports positive visitor relations.

Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; engages in problem solving and group initiatives; cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; strives for positive visitor experiences.

Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to…