Gift Specialist

Colorado State University Foundation; Fort Collins, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado State University Foundation seeks a Gift Specialist to join the Advancement Services team in Fort Collins. You will ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing of gifts, maintaining a donor-centric focus while resolving issues and meeting deadlines.

The role requires attention to detail, strong time management, and effective communication with campus partners. This full-time position offers benefits and growth opportunities within CSU's fundraising enterprise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite programs and data management.
• Ability to manage high-volume transactional work with deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate review of incoming gift transactions for timely processing.
• Resolve issues by coordinating with foundation staff for expedient closure.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Process gift-related mail and prepare donor receipts.
• Assist with administrative support for life insurance and grants.
• Perform daily reconciliation of gift activity and deposits.
• Communicate professionally with stakeholders and campus partners.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CRM systems

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Gift Specialist serves on the Advancement Services team, providing accurate, timely and compliant processing of gifts to the Colorado State University Foundation (CSUF). This role keeps a donor-centric viewpoint while resolving issues and meeting deadlines. CSUF receives, manages, and invests contributions that benefit Colorado State University (CSU).

Position Information

• Position Title: Gift Specialist
• Organization Name: Colorado State University Foundation
• Employment Type: Full-time
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
• Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000 annually
• Priority Consideration Date: 10/04/2026

Organizational Overview

Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado State University is a premier land‑grant university with world‑class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of over 34,000 students, 7,400 employees, 258,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures exceeding $498 million.

The Colorado State University Foundation is in the midst of exciting growth as the University Advancement division of CSU transitions to the Foundation. This merger will allow us to more effectively serve our donors, alumni, and stakeholders with a unified structure, strengthen accountability, and build the capacity to scale our fundraising enterprise. With one of the leading development teams in the country, we most recently achieved our highest fundraising year to date in 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate review of incoming transactions to ensure timely handling with a donor‑centric viewpoint and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Resolve issues by working closely with foundation staff to explore alternate solutions to bring about effective and expedient closure.
• Interpret, apply and explain pertinent regulations, policies and procedures.
• Executes all functions and maintains an office environment compliant with the Gift Specialist’s custodial role, including ensuring requisite dual presence and safekeeping and handling of assets and sensitive documents in office or in transit as appropriate.
• Provides professional and timely frontline representation for CSUF while fostering and maintaining relationships with campus partners and constituents.
• Ensures accurate and confidential maintenance of records and files, complying with all best practices and/or policies.
• Processes incoming and outgoing gift‑related mail, including preparation of donor receipts.
• Assists, as needed, with administrative support for life insurance and grants.
• Executes remote capture, physical and remote bank deposits and the daily master reconciliation of gift activity as needed.
• Effectively organizes work and manages time to accurately meet deadlines.
• Communicates professionally in individual, written, group, and presentation settings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• Two years of experience in advancement operations, higher education, finance, or other relevant experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Ability to manage high‑volume transactional work with competing deadlines
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy

Preferred Qualifications

• Full‑time professional experience in an advancement services field such as database management/reporting, gift/biographical records management, donor relations/gift stewardship, and/or prospect management, with strong preference for gift administration experience in a university fundraising environment
• Understanding of IRS regulations, university gift policies, CASE standards and advancement services professional best practices, with ability to apply to university’s fundraising plans/initiatives/solicitations
• Strong communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders
• Experience with donor databases/CRMs (e.g. Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar)
• Demonstrated effective problem‑solving skills and the ability to effectively manage demanding work situations.
• Demonstrates collaborative and congenial attitude and relationship building ability; is open to and promotes new ideas.

The CSU Foundation is committed to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision and retirement plans; generous paid time off; and a robust Employee Assistance Program.

CSU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) it is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship.