Gift Administration Specialist
About The Position
The Stony Brook University Advancement Gift Administration Specialist position plays a vital role in supporting Advancement's mission by building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between donors and Stony Brook University. The Specialist will ensure funds are used in accordance with donor intent and institutional policies, encouraging continued and increased giving. This role involves overseeing and processing over 25,000 annual gift transactions, utilizing predictive tools to manage constituent records, and handling various types of gifts. The Specialist will report to the Associate Director of Gift Administration and will collaborate closely with the Gift Administration team, Data Services, and the Development team to support the goals of Stony Brook University Advancement.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
- Three (3) years of full-time work experience.
- Experience in fundraising, gift administration, finance, or a related field.
- Experience in higher education, government, municipal environments, large non-profits, or healthcare systems.
- Proficiency with CRM systems such as Salesforce, Ascend, or Ellucian AdvanceWeb.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with IRS and/or CASE gift reporting standards.
- Experience processing charitable contributions and/or financial transactions.
Responsibilities
- Oversee, process, and monitor gift transactions, including checks, wires, credit cards, online donations (GiveCampus), payroll deductions, EFTs, donor-advised funds, stock transfers, corporate matching gifts, and charitable gift annuities ensuring all transactions are completed in a timely and accurate manner while proactively communicating updates to the team.
- Reconcile gift and financial transactions across multiple systems, identifying discrepancies, verifying documentation, and correcting errors to maintain accurate, audit-ready records.
- Identify errors, discrepancies, and opportunities to improve system functionality, escalating complex transactions appropriately and assisting with quality-control reviews.
- Review and approve daily sessions in Salesforce.
- Strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including development officers, deans, account directors, and other Stony Brook University departments, through regular communication and collaboration.
- Support the management of policies and processes related to gift acceptance, documentation, and compliance.
- Facilitate and attend meetings and events to build partnerships and promote shared success in achieving Advancement's goals.
- Develop and edit clear, concise internal communications for the Gift Administration team that align with Advancement objectives.
- Ensure that all communications are professional, accurate, and compliant with university policies.
- Interact with constituents, staff, and university partners to resolve issues related to faculty and staff giving, online donations, refund requests, and recurring gifts.
- Serve as the initial point of contact for donor inquiries, addressing routine payment questions and routing potential major gifts. Escalate complex or exceptional matters as needed.
- Support the Gift Administration team by improving efficiency and organization in administrative tasks.
- Perform database maintenance, which includes merging duplicate records, updating return mail, and editing information in Salesforce.
- Create donor receipts and manage the gift acceptance and documentation processes.
- Monitor and respond to inquiries sent to shared email inboxes and Monday Boards, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
- Seek opportunities for growth and learning to improve, enhancing both personal and team performance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- The Research Foundation of SUNY: A Great Place to Work.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
