Project Manager, Philanthropy

Covenant Living•Skokie, IL

About The Position

This mid-level role provides detail-oriented operational support for philanthropy, including financial reconciliation, reporting, gift processing, marketing, and database and platform management. The Project Manager is a key partner to the Strategy and Operations Director, provides guidance and support to the Gift Coordinator, and delivers system support, analytics, and project coordination for 23 fundraising sites while ensuring the accuracy, efficiency, and integrity of fundraising operations. The role requires discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information and includes up to 10% travel by car and plane. Responsibilities span database management and analytics; prospect research and basic portfolio analysis; gift processing and acknowledgement correspondence; financial reconciliation and reporting; online representation and giving-platform maintenance; marketing coordination and content development; and philanthropy operations. The Project Manager also supports onboarding and leadership transitions, develops standardized operational materials and practices, monitors Philanthropy mailboxes and the main phone line, maintains the Philanthropy SharePoint site, attends meetings and prepares minutes as requested, and participates in special projects and work groups.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least one year of experience providing support in a fast-paced organization.
At least one year of demonstrated expertise with Blackbaud’s RENXT Pro, eTapestry, or another customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
Experience in project management.
Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies across multiple systems and reports.
Demonstrated ability to compare complex datasets, perform audits, and ensure consistency between fundraising and financial systems.
Ability to accept responsibility and account for one’s actions.
Ability to adapt to workplace change and work independently with minimal and remote supervision.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing.
Ability to understand the viewpoints and objectives of internal and external constituents.
Ability to demonstrate ethical conduct and honesty and integrity in the workplace.
Ability to build relationships and maintain rapport with internal and external constituents.
Up to 10% travel by car and plane is required.

Nice To Haves

Fundraising certification.
Two years of development or fundraising administrative experience in a nonprofit organization, or related experience.
Experience with RENXT Pro.
Experience with Crescendo Interactive.

Responsibilities

Provide analytics within the donor database; run regular queries and reports and build new analytical reports.
Conduct weekly gift-processing audits and reconciliations, and provide user support by contacting CRM customer service about outstanding questions and cases.
Conduct prospect research and basic portfolio analysis, and produce profiles for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Complete gift processing for communities temporarily without a Director of Philanthropy and for multiple communities during periods of increased gift volume.
Enter gifts accurately and promptly in eTapestry, RENXT, or another database, and generate gift acknowledgement correspondence from the Office of Philanthropy.
Process recurring donations daily and at year-end, and journal recurring key gift entries, including employee payroll deduction donations.
Conduct deadline-driven variance analysis and reconcile philanthropic revenue, designated contributions, and key performance metrics across Raiser’s Edge NXT, payment platforms, and finance systems; resolve discrepancies, maintain data integrity, and deliver recurring financial reports.
Update corporate online representation on websites such as GuideStar and Charity Navigator, and maintain the organization’s presence on online giving platforms such as YourCause, Benevity, and Thrivent.
Liaise with Finance, including providing information for monthly credit card gift reconciliations, and prepare annual community Form 990 reports for corporate financial auditors.
Serve as a Marketing liaison; monitor campus collateral needs, communicate deadlines, and proofread collateral drafts and documents.
Establish and maintain a library of donor and recipient stories, photos, and other marketing elements; draft Crescendo planned-giving newsletters, brochures, and templates; and maintain the collateral production and key events calendar.
Partner with the Operations Director as a subject matter expert in gift processing, fundraising reporting, and IRS compliance.
Train and support Regional Leaders in guiding Philanthropy Directors during onboarding, leadership transitions, and operational needs; develop and standardize forms, policies, procedures, and best practices to promote consistency and audit compliance.
Monitor and respond daily to the Giving, Gift Processing, and Donor Services Philanthropy mailboxes and the main Philanthropy phone line.
Upload files and organize documents on the Philanthropy SharePoint site.
Attend meetings and take minutes for distribution when requested.
Handle confidential and sensitive information with a high level of discretion.
Participate in special work groups and projects as directed.