Development Coordinator

The Graduate Center (GC) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at the City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master’s programs, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center’s commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan.

The Office of Institutional Advancement at the Graduate Center is responsible for developing an overall fundraising strategy by seeking private philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporations through major gift solicitations, annual fund appeals, special cultivation events, alumni and donor relations efforts, and a planned giving program.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Individual Giving, the Development Coordinator will oversee donor relations, including gift acknowledgements, stewardship reports to donors, and liaison with academic and administrative offices to ensure appropriate and timely expenditure of funds. The role involves assisting with programming and events designed to strengthen donors’ relationships with the Graduate Center, grant writing, research inquiries, and prospect tracking. The Development Coordinator will work closely with the President’s Office, the Provost’s Office, and the Office of Finance and Administration to ensure donors receive appropriate treatment and information, and will participate in the development and execution of major campaigns and events.

This position requires working in the office four days a week and one day remotely. This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Manage, organize, and prepare donor stewardship reports in collaboration with academic and administrative offices, including the Business Office, Office of the Provost, and Office of the President.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a comprehensive stewardship reporting schedule for endowed and current-use gifts.
• Monitor and track the expenditure of endowed and non-endowed funds to ensure compliance with donor intent and timely utilization of resources.
• Prepare draft donor acknowledgment letters for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and the President and manage the acknowledgment process to ensure timely and meaningful donor recognition.
• Coordinate and track major and special gift activity to support effective prospect management, timely follow-up, and strategic donor engagement.
• Support moves management activities by scheduling pipeline meetings, preparing reports, and tracking cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major gift prospects.
• Assist in the planning and execution of donor cultivation and stewardship events, including receptions, dinners, lectures, and special programs involving the President, Graduate Center Foundation Board of Trustees, donors, prospects, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Marketing to develop fundraising newsletters, donor communications, and other advancement materials.
• Assist with grant administration, including tracking deadlines, compiling information, and preparing reports for institutional and foundation funders.
• Conduct prospect and donor research to support fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and proposal development.
• Maintain accurate records and data within advancement systems and databases.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required.

Qualifications

• 2 or more years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.
• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising database.
• Experience in researching prospects and donors, and preparing financial data.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Willingness to maintain a flexible work schedule as operational needs require.

Pay

$71,072–$82,577/year.

Benefits

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study, and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.