Philanthropy Associate

Greater Worcester Community Foundation; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Community impact

Job summary

Greater Worcester Community Foundation in Worcester, MA is seeking a Philanthropy Associate to support donor engagement, fundholder services, and philanthropy administration. The role emphasizes relationship-building, multi-priority planning, and a strong service mindset.

The position is full-time, on-site, with competitive benefits and opportunities to contribute to community impact through donor partnerships and effective grant management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• 2–4 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, philanthropy, business, or legal fields.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities under deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with donors, partners, and colleagues.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and collaborative, able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with donor databases (e.g., C-Suite, Foundant) is a plus.
• Quick to learn new technologies and software platforms.
• A strong customer service mindset with the ability to effectively communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• A passion for our community and for improving the lives of others.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative contact for current and prospective donors and fundholders, providing responsive support on grantmaking, fund balances, portal access, and general inquiries.
• Manage fundholder and fund records in C-Suite and Foundant databases, ensuring accurate entry, updates, reporting, and data integrity—including fund creation, modifications, closures, and updates prompted by events such as obituary notices.
• Oversee and approve timely processing of incoming donations; accurately classify and acknowledge gifts in accordance with Foundation standards.
• Oversee and approve timely processing of incoming grant requests from Donor Advised and Nonprofit Funds, and bi-annual Designated Fund processing in accordance with Foundation standards.
• Confirm and track multi-year pledges, open grant applications, and manage compliance reporting requirements for donors and funders.
• Collaborate with colleagues on the infrastructure and compliance needs of charitable funds with complex governance and stewardship requirements.
• Support professional advisor engagement, donor and prospect engagement by coordinating meetings, preparing materials, tracking follow-up, and managing targeted communications and mailings.
• Provide administrative support across the department, including the Professional Advisors Council, Community Leadership Fund, event support, and serve as backup for general office functions such as phone coverage.
• Coordinate staff calendars to schedule meetings on behalf of other staff members as needed.
• Attend Foundation events outside regular business hours as needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all communications and operations.
• Collaborate across the organization and partner closely with other departments on donor-focused initiatives to enhance donor satisfaction and philanthropic impact.

Skills

Donor relations

Communication skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Customer service mindset

Tech-savvy

Microsoft Office

Database experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

C-Suite donor database

Foundant

Job description

Philanthropy Associate
Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF)
Worcester, MA

Full-time, on-site position; salary range $55K to $62K, commensurate with experience

GWCF is seeking a detail-oriented, service-driven Philanthropy Associate to join our team. This new role is essential for enhancing the fundholder experience, supporting donor engagement, and ensuring efficient administration of the philanthropy team. The ideal candidate excels at building relationships, capable of managing multiple priorities, possesses strong administrative and communication skills, thrives in a collaborative team environment, and is passionate about serving the community.

Philanthropy Associate Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• 2 – 4 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, philanthropy, business, or legal fields.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities under deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with donors, partners, and colleagues.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and collaborative, able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with donor databases (e.g., C-Suite, Foundant) is a plus.
• Quick to learn new technologies and software platforms.
• A strong customer service mindset with the ability to effectively communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• A passion for our community and for improving the lives of others.

Why You Should Apply

• Competitive salary and benefits, including generous employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) plan.
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• A mission-driven organization making a daily impact in Worcester County.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team culture.

Philanthropy Associate Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative contact for current and prospective donors and fundholders, providing responsive support on grantmaking, fund balances, portal access, and general inquiries.
• Manage fundholder and fund records in C-Suite and Foundant databases, ensuring accurate entry, updates, reporting, and data integrity—including fund creation, modifications, closures, and updates prompted by events such as obituary notices.
• Oversee and approve timely processing of incoming donations; accurately classify and acknowledge gifts in accordance with Foundation standards.
• Oversee and approve timely processing of incoming grant requests from Donor Advised and Nonprofit Funds, and bi-annual Designated Fund processing in accordance with Foundation standards.
• Confirm and track multi-year pledges, open grant applications, and manage compliance reporting requirements for donors and funders.
• Collaborate with colleagues on the infrastructure and compliance needs of charitable funds with complex governance and stewardship requirements.
• Support professional advisor engagement, donor and prospect engagement by coordinating meetings, preparing materials, tracking follow-up, and managing targeted communications and mailings.
• Provide administrative support across the department, including the Professional Advisors Council, Community Leadership Fund, event support, and serve as backup for general office functions such as phone coverage.
• Coordinate staff calendars to schedule meetings on behalf of other staff members as needed.
• Attend Foundation events outside regular business hours as needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all communications and operations.
• Collaborate across the organization and partner closely with other departments on donor-focused initiatives to enhance donor satisfaction and philanthropic impact.

About Greater Worcester Community Foundation (www.greaterworcester.org)

Greater Worcester Community Foundation is a nonprofit grant-making foundation that serves donors, nonprofits, and other community partners. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in the Worcester County area by engaging in the urgent needs of the community, such as education, child welfare, neighborhood improvement, health services, nonprofit effectiveness, arts and culture, the environment, and fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community for our diverse populations. Our staff is a dedicated team of professionals who strive for high standards of performance and support for one another. The Foundation models a strong commitment to principles of equity and inclusion and actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.