Fundraising Support Specialist – Arts & Sciences

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off including Paren

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans with university con

Wellbeing resources

Family care support

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits and campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development team seeks a Development Assistant to support frontline gift officers and advance Harvard’s philanthropic mission. This full‑time, non‑exempt role provides entry into alumni affairs and development within a prestigious university setting.

The position emphasizes data gathering, reporting, preparing prospect materials, coordinating travel, and collaborating across teams to cultivate donor relations, especially at events in Cambridge.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of related experience (education may count toward experience).
• Solid computer skills in a PC environment with the capability to master new software applications and technologies in database management, mail merges, and report generation.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Available to work additional evening hours if necessary.
• Required to work onsite in the Cambridge, MA office on assigned days weekly.
• You will be expected to attend meetings and participate in department activities in Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to all aspects of fundraisers’ prospect and volunteer management, including data gathering, input and maintenance; drafting prospect/volunteer outreach, memos, correspondence, and reports.
• Develops and prepares necessary meeting and solicitation materials prior to prospect meetings and supports post-meeting action items.
• Achieves proficiency in the alumni/donor database to research prospects, organize data and produce reports. Enters data in an accurate and timely manner.
• Partners with gift officers to write high quality event briefings, event bios, and donor briefings.
• Maintains various reports to ensure accurate and current information on gift and donor totals, solicitation status, and prospects. Produces reports and lists using the Advance and Qlikview databases.
• Coordinates officers’ travel and expense reports; schedules meetings and maintains calendars; takes and distributes meeting notes and performs other administrative responsibilities as needed.
• Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders upon request and as appropriate with guidance from manager.
• Cultivates favorable relationships with colleagues and donors to support department goals.
• Supports officers’ work with volunteer leaders on plans and activities to increase donor participation and staffs events as needed.
• May assist in communications with FAS constituents and broader Harvard community.

Skills

1-2 years experience

Microsoft Office

Strong writing

Attention to detail

Onsite Cambridge MA

Evening hours possible

Education

College degree preferred

Tools

Database software

Mail merge

Report generation

PC environment

Job description

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development team seeks a Development Assistant to support frontline gift officers and advance Harvard’s philanthropic mission. This full‑time, non‑exempt role provides entry into alumni affairs and development within a prestigious university setting.

The position emphasizes data gathering, reporting, preparing prospect materials, coordinating travel, and collaborating across teams to cultivate donor relations, especially at events in Cambridge.