At San Diego Foundation (SDF), we are committed to inspiring enduring philanthropy and enabling community solutions to improve the quality of life throughout our region. The Development & Stewardship Division supports this mission by building strong relationships with donors, fundholders, and community partners while providing responsive, high-quality philanthropic services.

The Donor Services team plays a central role in delivering a positive donor and fundholder experience through customer service, gift and fund administration, grantmaking support, database management, reporting, and operational coordination.

The Administrator, Donor Services provides administrative and operational support to donors, fundholders, and members of the Development & Stewardship team. This position serves as an initial point of contact for donor and fundholder inquiries, supports fund and gift administration, maintains accurate constituent and fund records, prepares reports, and contributes to efficient and consistent Donor Services workflows.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, service-minded, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a collaborative environment. This role is well suited for someone who enjoys administrative work, working with data and systems, and supporting a high level of customer service.

This is a hybrid role with weekly onsite requirements at SDF’s Liberty Station headquarters in San Diego.

Essential Responsibilities:
Donor & Fundholder Services

• Serve as an initial point of contact for donors and fundholders, responding to inquiries, providing general assistance, and connecting individuals with the appropriate staff member when additional support is needed.
• Support donors and fundholders with contributions, grant recommendations, fund activity, and other routine service requests.
• Develop working knowledge of gift and grantmaking workflows to provide accurate and timely administrative support.
• Prepare new fund agreements, fund change forms, and related documentation while following established policies, procedures, and approval workflows.
• Support donor stewardship activities, including welcome letters, acknowledgments, correspondence, mailings, and other donor communications.
• Build and maintain online donation pages for donor-advised and other funds using established templates.
• Provide occasional administrative and logistical support for donor meetings, events, and engagement activities.
• Deliver responsive, professional, and service-oriented support consistent with SDF’s commitment to world-class philanthropic service.

Fund Administration & Operational Support

• Maintain accurate electronic files, tracking systems, templates, and administrative records that support efficient Donor Services operations.
• Process and track fund-related documentation to ensure information is complete, accurate, and maintained according to established procedures.
• Support routine gift, grant, and fund administration activities in coordination with Donor Services, Gift Processing, Finance, and other internal teams.
• Assist with data pulls, reports, and operational information related to donations, grantmaking, funds, and donor activity.
• Support ongoing process improvements that strengthen accuracy, consistency, efficiency, and the donor experience.
• Cross-train on key responsibilities within Donor Services and Gift Processing and provide backup coverage when needed.
• Assist with special projects and department initiatives as assigned.

Database Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate constituent, fund, gift, and related records within Raiser’s Edge, Financial Edge, GrantedGE, and other applicable systems.
• Follow established data entry standards, procedures, and quality-control practices to support database integrity.
• Maintain accurate use of constituent codes, attributes, queries, reports, and other database fields.
• Develop proficiency in SDF’s Blackbaud and related systems and remain current on system capabilities and applicable workflows.
• Support staff with routine data requests, queries, exports, and reports.
• Identify data inconsistencies or errors and work with appropriate team members to resolve them.
• Assist in maintaining documentation and standards related to database use and administrative processes.

Cross-Functional & Organizational Support

• Collaborate with colleagues across Development & Stewardship, Finance, Community Impact, and other departments to support donor and fund administration.
• Provide occasional front desk telephone and in-person reception coverage as needed.
• Support organizational initiatives, events, and administrative projects as assigned.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, service-oriented, and solutions-focused team environment.

Requirements

Required

• Minimum one (1) year of experience in administrative support, customer service, operations, or a related function in a professional office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage administrative systems, records, and workflows with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to interact professionally with donors, fundholders, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments, prioritize competing responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify issues and recommend or implement appropriate solutions.
• Dependable and collaborative team member with a positive, professional, and adaptable approach.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Experience with database applications, data entry, record management, and report generation.
• Ability to learn new systems, processes, and technology.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Commitment to the mission and values of San Diego Foundation.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

Preferred

• Experience working in a nonprofit, philanthropic, financial services, or donor-facing environment.
• Experience with Blackbaud products, including Raiser’s Edge, Financial Edge, or GrantedGE.

Language Skills 

• Fluent in English (reading, writing, and speaking) 
• Spanish proficiency preferred 

Core Competencies

• Donor & Fundholder Customer Service
• Administrative & Operational Support
• Database & Records Management
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy
• Fund Administration
• Reporting & Data Support
• Process Coordination
• Cross-Department Collaboration
• Organization & Time Management
• Communication & Relationship Management

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Hybrid work environment based in San Diego, California.
• Weekly onsite work required at SDF’s Liberty Station headquarters.
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with multiple priorities.
• Able to sit, stand, walk, or drive for periods of time, with or without accommodation.
• Able to view and use a computer screen for extended periods, with or without accommodation.
• Able to enter and retrieve information using a keyboard, computer, or other tools.
• Able to communicate effectively by phone, video, in person, or through alternative methods, with or without accommodation.
• Able to remain seated or standing for extended periods, with or without accommodation.
• Able to move items weighing up to 20 pounds or request assistance when needed.
• Occasional support for donor meetings, organizational events, front desk coverage, or other onsite activities may be required.

Benefits

San Diego Foundation is committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and success of our employees through a comprehensive and competitive benefits package: 

• Hourly, Non-Exempt $26.00-$29.00 (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills, experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors)
• Supportive, inclusive company culture; recognized as a Top Workplace by the San Diego Union-Tribune 5 years in a row
• Hybrid work environment with support for home office setup  
• Option for a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off  
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance for employees  
• 75% employer-paid premiums for eligible dependents  
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match, plus annual discretionary contributions  
• Earned Incentive Program  
• Three weeks of paid time off annually, plus an additional organization-wide paid week off in July  
• 13 paid holidays, plus 2 paid volunteer days each year  
• Extended Health Care Time accrual for sick leave, family care, and parental leave  
• Four-week paid sabbatical after every five years of service  
• $100 monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement  
• $75 quarterly wellness or gym reimbursement  
• Annual $600 match to a nonprofit of your choice through a Donor Advised Fund  
• Annual service recognition with a $100 donation to a nonprofit of your choice 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.