Development And Stewardship Coordinator

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Development and Stewardship Coordinator.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Development & Stewardship Coordinator is a pivotal team member within the Office of University Advancement, responsible for supporting fundraising operations, donor stewardship, integrated marketing communications, and the administration of giving societies and digital platforms. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the successful execution of annual giving campaigns, donor engagement strategies, and event coordination. The ideal candidate is highly organized, collaborative, creative, and attentive to detail with a deep commitment to institutional advancement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising & Campaign Support:

• Coordinate day-to-day activities of annual giving campaigns including giving days, digital fundraising pushes, and direct mail efforts.
• Assist with segmentation, testing, and tracking campaign effectiveness using CRM tools.
• Work closely with Advancement leadership to align messaging and strategy across appeals.

Donor Stewardship:

• Draft, personalize, and distribute donor acknowledgment letters and thank-you materials.
• Maintain donor recognition rosters and giving society membership records.
• Help design and implement stewardship touchpoints such as impact stories, annual reports, and birthday or anniversary messages.

Giving Societies:

• Manage logistics, onboarding, and recognition for giving society members.
• Coordinate benefits fulfillment including event invitations, recognition gifts, and exclusive communications.
• Maintain accurate, timely data related to society participation and renewals.

Marketing & Communications:

• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications to produce email blasts, social media posts, digital ads, and web content for fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all fundraising and stewardship collateral.
• Prepare copy, graphics requests, and schedules for donor-facing communications.

Events & Engagement:

• Lead planning and execution for small-scale donor events and assist with larger signature events.
• Serve as logistics lead for donor experiences including RSVPs, check-in, signage, and digital follow-up.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure a seamless guest and donor experience.

Systems, Research, & Reporting:

• Support CRM maintenance (Blackbaud NXT) including updating constituent records and tracking moves management activities.
• Assist in prospect research, compiling donor bios and reports for Development Officers.
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards on stewardship activities and campaign engagement metrics.

Other Duties:

• As assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in development, marketing, donor relations, or a related field preferred.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Strong writing, project management, and organizational skills.
• Experience with CRM platforms (Blackbaud NXT preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to confidentiality and professionalism.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Typical office setting with occasional evenings and weekends required for events.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs and assist with event setup and breakdown as needed.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.