| Position Title: |
Manager of Stewardship and Donor Relations |
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| Location: |
Big Rapids (Main Campus) |
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| Department: |
70000 - Univer Advance and Mktg VP Office
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| Advertised Salary: |
$58,000-$62,000, Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other requirements. |
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Benefits:
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Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation. etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
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| FLSA: |
Non-Exempt |
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| Temporary/Continuing: |
Continuing |
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| Part-Time/Full-Time: |
Full-Time |
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| Union Group: |
N/A |
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| Term of Position: |
12 Month |
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| At Will/Just Cause: |
Just Cause |
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| Summary of Position: |
The Manager of Stewardship and Donor Relations creates and leads the donor stewardship strategy for the sole purpose of increasing donors and donations to The Ferris Foundation. The scope of work includes leading and developing the strategy for donor recognition, fund reporting, gift utilization and stewardship initiatives. This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Advancement and Marketing. |
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| Position Type: |
Staff |
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| Required Education: |
Bachelor's degree.
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Equivalency for education is two years of full-time related work experience equals one year of education. |
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| Required Work Experience: |
Two-four years of experience in advancement, a non-profit organization, or related field with a particular focus on leadership, donor research, stewardship or project management. |
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: |
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| Physical Demands: |
- Office Environment
- Bending
- Carrying
- Sitting
- Driving
- Lifting
- Pulling/Pushing
- Standing
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: |
Millennium or Raisers Edge CRM experience |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: |
• Develop, implement, and lead a successful and integrated stewardship/donor relations program that strategically targets donors, particularly leadership level donors as defined by the University Advancement & Marketing team.
• Successfully lead team in strategic stewardship initiatives that advance the mission of The Ferris Foundation.
• Develop and implement a plan to recognize donors and strengthen their financial support for the University by developing and managing a customized gift acknowledgment process for gifts to The Ferris Foundation.
• Responsive leadership that manages donor inquiries and represent their interests, responding promptly and appropriately.
• Financial Aid Liaison: work closely and collaboratively with Financial Aid and University Colleges to ensure that scholarships are awarded on time and according to donor intent and scholarship guidelines, including awarding Foundation scholarships as appropriate.
• Develop a strategic plan for thoughtful and impactful donor stewardship for donors at all levels. Accountable for moves management of donors.
• Coordinate and implement relevant donor recognition strategies that create meaningful impact.
• Successfully convert volunteers to donors.
• Create and implement stewardship reports aimed at growing or celebrating gifts.
• Database Management: Track donor relations and stewardship activities in Raisers Edge and produce routine activity reports, to enhance relationships and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.
• Oversee and execute endowment stewardship reporting system to provide donors with an annual update on the financial status of their endowed fund and its impact on the area the fund supports.
• Create and coordinate publications (printed and electronic) with Marketing and Communications for donor recognition, stewardship and cultivation purposes.
• Develop policies and procedures for University-wide donor naming opportunities and recognition.
• Supervise Donor Events Specialist/Stewardship Coordinator.
• Supervise Advancement Assistant
• Lead and manage the design and implementation of donor communications processes, including impact reporting, endowment reporting, ThankView communications and invitations.
• Lead the coordination of fund awarding and all stewardship requests in collaboration with campus colleagues from University Colleges, Student Financial Services, Treasury, Financial Aid, etc.
• Annually audit Foundation restricted funds to ensure compliance.
• Work with University General Counsel to update scholarship criteria as needed to ensure greatest student benefit while maintaining donor intent.
• Responsible for development of all Gift Agreements.
• Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information.
• Serve on University Committees as appropriate.
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: |
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| Skills and Abilities: |
• Excellent and responsive communication is key to success in this position.
• Attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple and varied tasks independently while also working collaboratively.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Foster the University’s reputation for integrity, responsibility, civility, caring and prudent management of donor gifts.
• Knowledge and familiarity with fundraising, research and stewardship practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Word, Excel and other commonly used applications.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Tact, discretion and experience in handling confidential information appropriately.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, with the ability to listen and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to engage and influence people, using tact and diplomacy, and maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the federal and state regulations surrounding restricted fund usage.
• Experience and ability to manage scholarship records in a database.
• Proficiency with ThankView, Scholarship Universe, Raisers Edge and other tools commonly used in stewardship and donor relations.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and train others in stewardship and donor relations.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. |
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| Required Documents: |
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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| Optional Documents: |
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of Bachelor's degree if applicable. If you do not have a transcript, please write a justification explaining how your work experience is equivalent to the required education and attach that justification in lieu of the transcript. Transcript must include Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript (if applicable). |
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Initial Application Review Date:
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August 18, 2025 |
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| Open Until Position is Filled?: |
Yes |
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Posting Close Date:
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| EEO Statement: |
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
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Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD. |
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