Position Title:
Manager of Stewardship and Donor Relations
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Advertised Salary:
54,000-56,000 Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other requirements.
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.).
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
Temporary/Continuing:
Continuing
Part-Time/Full-Time:
Full-Time
Term of Position:
12 Month
At Will/Just Cause:
Just Cause
Summary of Position:
The Donor Relations Manager will oversee administrative and operational aspects of donor engagement, ensuring effective tracking, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective major donors through a formal Moves Management program. This position combines relationship stewardship with strong data and systems management, supporting leadership and frontline fundraisers in achieving ambitious revenue goals.
Required Education:
Bachelor's degree.
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.
Required Licenses and Certifications:
Physical Demands:
- Office Environment
- Bending
- Carrying
- Sitting
- Driving
- Lifting
- Pulling/Pushing
- Standing
Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:
Millennium or Raisers Edge CRM experience
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Moves Management Administration
Manage all administrative aspects of the Moves Management program, ensuring accurate tracking of donor prospects and activity in the CRM database.
Generate reports, dashboards, and pipelines to support leadership and board engagement in major gift fundraising.
Coordinate internal systems and processes to track donor engagement from identification to stewardship.
Major Donor Program Support
Work closely with the Associate Vice President, Advancement and entire advancement team to build and maintain a robust major donor pipeline.
Research, profile, and segment donor prospects for cultivation and solicitation.
Draft correspondence, grant proposals, and impact reports to support major donor stewardship.
Manage scheduling and logistics for donor meetings, site visits, and events.
Donor Stewardship & Communications
Ensure timely acknowledgment of major gifts with personalized letters, reports, and recognition opportunities.
Develop and maintain a stewardship and event calendar to deepen donor engagement and loyalty.
Work closely with program staff to gather impact stories, data, and content for donor communications.
Take the lead in planning donor cultivation events, working with staff to execute.
Collaboration & Support
Support board and campaign committees in fundraising by preparing briefing materials and tracking follow-up.
Collaborate with Advancement Services to ensure gift processing and reporting align with donor intent.
Help design and implement systems to measure donor engagement and retention.
Operates a university or personal vehicle 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.
Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:
Skills and Abilities:
Passion for our mission and enjoys working with a team to steward and engage donors
Demonstrated experience managing the administrative functions of a Moves Management program.
Proficiency with fundraising CRMs/databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Millennium, or equivalent).
Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel spreadsheets.
Proficient in Google Workspace and GSuite products.
Comfortable assisting with basic IT troubleshooting.
Willing to be flexible with hours depending on the needs of the university.
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.
Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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).
Initial Application Review Date:
May 4, 2026
Open Until Position is Filled?:
Yes
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.
