Acknowledgement & Donor Stewardship Assistant

La Umc; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Africa University Development Office in Nashville, TN, seeks an Acknowledgement & Donor Stewardship Assistant to manage donor records, acknowledge gifts, and support fundraising operations. The role requires accurate data entry, timely communications, and collaboration with development, finance, and communications staff.

The ideal candidate has experience with donor databases and Microsoft Office, and can handle confidential information with discretion.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Three to five years of general office administration experience required.
• Experience with donor databases or fundraising software preferred.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and Fund Collection software, or ability to learn.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to build relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Experience handling confidential donor and financial information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and updates donor records in the database.
• Prepares and distributes donor acknowledgment letters and receipts.
• Reviews gift information and ensures donor intent and designations.
• Conducts donor stewardship outreach, including thank-you calls.
• Processes online donations via Virtual Terminal, PayPal, and other platforms.
• Compiles donor reports, including endowed funds and scholarship reporting.
• Develops charts and visual reports from donor data.
• Tracks Endowment Fund contributions and receipting.
• Coordinates with development, finance, and communications staff on fundraising initiatives.
• Assists with special projects and donor events.

Skills

Donor database management

Microsoft Office

Communication

Relationship building

Data entry accuracy

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Fund Collection

Job description

Acknowledgement & Donor Stewardship Assistant

October 24, 2026

The Africa University Development Office is seeking an Acknowledgement & Donor Stewardship Assistant and invites inquiries and applications for the position. The Africa University Development Office (AUDO) was established September 1, 1992. It is housed in Nashville, Tennessee and is affiliated with The United Methodist Church. One of the primary goals of AUDO is to raise, maintain, invest, and distribute with accountability the resources for Africa University. Located in Zimbabwe, the development of Africa University is a consequence of the growth of United Methodism in Africa. The mission of Africa University is to provide quality education within a Pan-African context through which persons can acquire general and professional knowledge and skills, grow in spiritual maturity, develop sound moral values, ethics and leadership qualities. The Development Office seeks an experienced Acknowledgement & Donor Stewardship Assistant to support donor relations, fundraising operations, gift processing, and stewardship activities. The preferred candidate will possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain accurate donor records while ensuring timely donor acknowledgments and communications. This role is required to be in the office Monday through Friday during core working hours.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and updates donor records within the constituent database, ensuring donor and gift information is accurate, complete, and current.


• Prepares and distributes donor acknowledgment letters, emails, receipts, and related stewardship communications.


• Reviews gift information and coordinates with appropriate staff to ensure donor intent, gift designations, and stewardship requirements are accurately documented.


• Conducts donor stewardship outreach activities, including thank‑you calls and follow‑up communications.


• Processes and reconciles online donations received through Virtual Terminal, PayPal, and other approved giving platforms.


• Compiles and prepares scholarship and donor reports, including endowed and direct scholarship fund reporting.


• Develops charts, presentations, and visual reporting materials utilizing donor, scholarship, and fundraising data.


• Processes and tracks Endowment Fund contributions, ensuring gifts are properly recorded, acknowledged, and receipted.


• Coordinates with development, finance, and communications staff to support fundraising initiatives and donor engagement activities.


• Assists with special projects, donor events, and other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.


• Three to five years of general office administration experience required.


• Demonstrated experience with donor databases, constituent management systems, or fundraising software preferred.


• Knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and Fund Collection software, or the ability to quickly learn these systems.


• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.


• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.


• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.


• Functional knowledge of The United Methodist Church preferred.


• Experience handling confidential donor and financial information with discretion and professionalism.

Closing Date: November 13, 2026

Africa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.