Philanthropy Operations Associate

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus

PTO frontload

8 paid holidays

401(k) 3% match

Medical plans with HSA/FSA

Dental and Vision

Life insurance

Career development

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota is hiring a Philanthropy Operations Associate to manage donor records, process gifts, coordinate campaigns, and produce timely reports. You will support stewardship, direct mail operations, and donor communications to strengthen engagement and giving.

Responsibilities include data accuracy in DMS, reconciliation, and collaborating on annual campaigns with the team. A bachelor’s in a related field is required, with 1–2 years in nonprofit operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, business, or related field is required.
• 1–2 years experience in donor engagement, fundraising, event management, communications, or nonprofit operations preferred.
• Experience with electronic payment platforms is required.
• Must be at least 21 years old and have valid auto-insurance and driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Background checks including criminal convictions and safety-related checks are required.

Responsibilities

• Manage donor records and gift processing; ensure accuracy and integrity in Donor Management Software (DMS).
• Coordinate campaigns and provide timely reporting to support the Philanthropy & Communications Department.
• Support donor communications, stewardship, and direct mail operations.
• Assist with annual campaigns including United Way and Staff Giving initiatives.
• Collaborate on developing and maintaining operational manuals for procedures.

Skills

Email marketing

DMS data management

Data reconciliation

Fundraising knowledge

Donor outreach

Communication skills

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing/communications/nonprofit management/business

Tools

Vanco

PaymentSpring

Qgiv

Raiser’s Edge

Bloomerang

Virtuous

Job description

"Are you passionate about promoting safety, stability, and connection for children and youth in South Dakota?"

If so, this position might be a great fit for you! #YouareLSS

You Belong at Lutheran Social Services

We believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and nurturing family. Our priority is to support and empower families, ensuring children are at place where they can heal, grow, and reach their full potential.

Our values form the foundation of who we are and how we operate. At LSS, we prioritize a whole-person, family-centered approach to care within a continuum of services.

HOURS: Full-Time, 40 hours, Monday- Friday; w/occasional evenings.

SALARY: Dependent on experience and qualifications.

BENEFITS: LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• $600 hiring bonus* external candidates only
• PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) 3% match
• Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options, with HSA & FSA options
• Dental and Vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family
• Career development opportunities, hands-on training, and mentorship
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Philanthropy Operations Associate is responsible for the efficient management of donor records, accurate gift processing, campaign coordination, and timely reporting that supports the broader goals of the Philanthropy & Communications Department. This role ensures the Donor Management Software (DMS) is maintained with accuracy and integrity, while also assisting with stewardship efforts, direct mail operations, and donor communications. The Associate strengthens the systems and relationships that sustain donor engagement and charitable giving, contributing to the long‑term success of the Agency’s philanthropic efforts.

• Competence in email‑marketing platforms, direct‑mail processes, and digital analytics for engagement metrics.
• Maintain and update records in the Donor Management Software (DMS) to ensure data accuracy and usability.
• Ability to reconcile data and prepare financial and audit reports accurately.
• Experience with electronic payment platforms (e.g., Vanco, PaymentSpring, Qgiv).
• Proficient in donor management and fundraising software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Virtuous etc.) for data entry, reporting, segmentation, and maintaining data integrity.
• Solid understanding of fundraising industry practices, including donor acquisition, stewardship, and retention best practices.
• Support donor outreach through professional communication, event support, and campaign coordination.
• Assist in coordinating annual campaigns, including United Way and Staff Giving initiatives.
• Collaborate with team members to develop, revise, and maintain operational manuals for departmental procedures.
• Provide administrative assistance, assist walk‑in guests and phone inquiries, directing them to the appropriate staff or department.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, business, or a related field; is required.
• One to two years' experience in donor engagement, fundraising, event management, communications, or nonprofit operations, is preferred.
• Previous experience with electronic payment platforms is required.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a valid auto‑insurance, a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one for approved driver status., is required.
• Must successfully complete all agency background checks, which include checks for criminal convictions, behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, and drug or sex crimes, is required.

LSS Expectations & Core Values

• Compassionate: We engage with empathy and provide non‑judgmental services.
• Appreciative: We recognize and develop the strengths of our clients and employees.
• Respectful: We build professional and collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.
• Ethical: We uphold high standards of integrity and quality in all actions.
• Strategic: We anticipate and respond proactively to community needs.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Please note: As part of our hiring process and to meet accreditation requirements, applicants will be asked to complete a prescreen questionnaire.

*Hiring bonus available to external candidates only.