The Development Specialist supports IndyHumane's fundraising efforts through donor stewardship, gift administration, campaign support, reporting, and donor database management. This position serves as a key member of the Development Team, ensuring donors receive timely and meaningful stewardship, fundraising initiatives are executed efficiently, and donor information remains accurate and actionable. The Development Specialist partners closely with Development staff to support annual giving, major gifts, grants, events, and donor engagement activities through strong operational support, reporting, financial coordination, and donor database management.
Essential Job Functions
Fundraising Operations
- Support operational workflows related to fundraising campaigns, events, annual giving, grants, and major gifts
- Coordinate donor acknowledgment and stewardship activities
- Assist with donor cultivation and stewardship initiatives designed to increase donor engagement and retention
- Support fundraising events and donor engagement activities
- Maintain moves management tracking and donor pipeline activities
- Collaborate with Development staff to improve operational efficiency and donor experience
- Ensure fundraising systems and tools support effective donor relationship management
- Prepare donor lists, prospect information, reports, and materials to support fundraising activities
- Manage donor communications and stewardship activities through accurate tracking and reporting
Donor Database & CRM Management
- Manage and maintain the organization's donor database and CRM platform
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of donor records
- Oversee gift entry, coding, acknowledgments, and donor data quality processes
- Create and maintain donor segmentation lists, reports, and dashboards
- Manage database imports, exports, integrations, and data migrations
- Maintain Development Department policies, procedures, and operational documentation
- Support best practices related to donor data management and reporting
Reporting & Analytics
- Generate fundraising reports for leadership and Development staff
- Track donor retention, fundraising performance, campaign outcomes, and pipeline activity
- Analyze fundraising data to identify trends and opportunities
- Provide data insights that support fundraising strategy and decision-making
- Assist with forecasting and revenue tracking activities
Financial Coordination
- Reconcile fundraising records with Finance and Accounting teams
- Track pledges, grants, matching gifts, recurring gifts, and restricted funds
- Ensure accurate documentation related to charitable contributions
- Support audit preparation and development-related financial reporting activities
- Process donor deposits, recurring gifts, and donor payment transactions
- Monitor gift processing procedures for accuracy and compliance
Systems & Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve fundraising workflows and operational efficiency
- Assist with the development and maintenance of development-related standard operating procedures
- Support relationships with fundraising software vendors and service providers
- Troubleshoot system issues and assist staff with development systems and reporting tools
- Support implementation of new systems and process improvements
Compliance & Data Governance
- Ensure compliance with donor privacy standards and fundraising regulations
- Maintain accurate donor acknowledgment and tax documentation procedures
- Support data security, confidentiality, and donor record retention practices
- Maintain compliance with organizational policies and fundraising requirements
Collaboration & Organizational Support
- Collaborate with Development leadership to support fundraising goals and donor engagement strategies
- Partner with Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Leadership teams as needed
- Attend Development meetings, all-staff meetings, and organizational training opportunities
- Serve as a professional representative of IndyHumane when interacting with donors and stakeholders
- Perform additional duties, projects, and assignments as needed
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration,
- Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered
- Minimum three (3) years of nonprofit fundraising, development operations, donor database management, or fundraising support experience preferred
- Experience working with donor CRM systems required
- Experience supporting donor stewardship and fundraising operations preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of fundraising principles and donor stewardship best practices
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding donor and organizational information
- Strong customer service and relationship-building skills
- Commitment to the mission and values of IndyHumane
Technical Skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and
- PowerPoint
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills required
- Experience with donor CRM and fundraising database systems required
- Experience creating fundraising reports and donor analytics preferred
- Familiarity with fundraising software and reporting tools preferred
- Ability to learn and effectively utilize organizational software systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Five (5) or more years of nonprofit development experience
- Experience with donor stewardship and donor lifecycle management
- Experience supporting fundraising campaigns and events
- Experience with grant tracking and restricted fund reporting
- Experience with Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge, or similar fundraising CRM platforms
- Experience with donor analytics and fundraising reporting
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the workday
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry event materials, office supplies, and donor materials up to 25 pounds
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for fundraising events and organizational activities
Work Environment & Potential Exposures
This position operates primarily in a professional office and animal welfare environment
with regular interaction with staff, volunteers, donors, community members, and animals.
Potential exposures may include:
- Animal-related allergens, odors, and noise
- Fast-paced work environments with multiple deadlines and competing priorities
- Frequent interruptions and changing priorities
- Event-related environments with varying activity levels
Employees are expected to follow all organizational safety procedures and professional conduct standards.
Core Competencies
- Donor Stewardship
- Fundraising Operations
- Attention to Detail
- Communication Skills
- Relationship Building
- Data Management
- Project Management
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Customer Service
- Confidentiality & Integrity
- Organization & Planning
- Adaptability & Flexibility
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
IndyHumane is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national
origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status
under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
IndyHumane is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified
individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and applicable state laws. Employees and applicants requiring accommodations should
contact Human Resources.
At-Will Employment Disclaimer
Employment with IndyHumane is at-will. This means that either the employee or
IndyHumane may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without
notice, and with or without cause, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description
should be interpreted as creating a contract of employment.
Job Description Disclaimer
The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are
not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications
required. IndyHumane reserves the right to modify duties, responsibilities, and position
requirements based on organizational needs.
Safety Statement
Employees are expected to comply with all workplace safety standards, organizational
policies, confidentiality expectations, and OSHA-related safety requirements.
#urgentIH
