Temporary Advancement Database Specialist

Laurel School; Shaker Heights (OH); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Laurel School seeks an experienced Blackbaud Raiser's Edge Database user for part-time, temporary support (4–6 months with potential temp-to-hire). You will manage gifts, acknowledgments, and donor records while supporting the Development team and Business Office.

The role offers a flexible schedule and close collaboration with leadership. Ideal candidates have hands-on Raiser's Edge experience, strong accuracy, and the ability to learn Laurel’s procedures quickly, ensuring timely reporting and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Hands-on experience in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge Database including gift processing, batches, constituent records.
• Experience managing nonprofit gift processing, acknowledgments, and reconciliation with confidentiality.
• Ability to learn Laurel’s procedures quickly with minimal training.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, and time management.

Responsibilities

• Process and record gifts, pledges, recurring gifts, and other transactions in Raiser's Edge.
• Prepare and send acknowledgments using approved templates.
• Coordinate deposits, gift reconciliation, and audit documentation.
• Create lists and reports for fundraising, stewardship, events, and recognition.
• Maintain constituent records and preferences; support updates as needed.
• Provide day-to-day Raiser's Edge assistance to staff.

Skills

Raiser's Edge

Gift processing

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Description

This is a part-time temporary opportunity (4-6 months with a possibility of temp to hire) and provides a flexible schedule. Hours, duration of employment, work location, and engagement arrangement will be determined based on availability and Laurel’s operational needs.

Position Overview

Laurel School seeks an experienced Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge Database user to provide immediate, day-to-day database and gift processing support for the Development team. This role will keep gift records and acknowledgments current, maintain accurate constituent information, and provide the lists and reports needed for fundraising and donor stewardship. The successful candidate will be able to assume routine responsibilities with limited software training, following an orientation to Laurel’s established procedures and coding conventions. The specialist will work closely with the Director of Development and the Business Office to ensure continuity of daily operations.

Gift Processing and Donor Acknowledgment

• Process and record gifts, pledges, pledge payments, recurring gifts, matching gifts, and other transactions in Raiser’s Edge; prepare and commit batches, review exceptions, and maintain supporting documentation.
• Apply accurate funds, campaigns, appeals, soft credits, and other coding; distinguish payments from pledges and confirm donor attribution and acknowledgment requirements.
• Monitor and reconcile gifts received through online giving platforms, ACH/EFT, payroll deductions, donor-advised funds, matching gift services, and other channels in coordination with the Business Office.
• Prepare and send timely, accurate acknowledgments using approved templates; support tribute notifications, pledge reminders, and annual giving statements.
• Coordinate with the Business Office on deposits, gift reconciliation, posting procedures, and audit documentation; identify and resolve discrepancies.

Database Operations and Team Support

• Create accurate, segmented mailing and email lists, queries, exports, and reports for appeals, stewardship, events, donor recognition, and fundraising analysis.
• Maintain constituent records, relationships, contact information, giving history, communication preferences, and event participation; support student, family, and alumnae record updates.
• Maintain data accuracy through routine record updates and approved procedures for duplicate records, incomplete information, and coding corrections; refer broader data or system concerns to the Director of Development.
• Provide day-to-day Raiser’s Edge assistance to staff and prepare routine reports for fiscal and calendar year transitions as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge Database View, including gift processing, batches, constituent records, queries, exports, reporting, and data quality management.
• Experience independently managing nonprofit gift processing, acknowledgments, and reconciliation, with strong attention to accuracy, confidentiality, and donor stewardship.
• Ability to assume operational responsibilities promptly with limited software training and to learn organization-specific procedures efficiently.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, sound judgment when handling donor records, and clear communication with Development and Business Office colleagues.
• Ability to prioritize gift processing, acknowledgments, and time-sensitive requests while following established procedures and meeting deadlines.