Donor Engagement Associate

Company Description

Are you a high-performer who wants to contribute to a mission-driven and values-based organization? If you are motivated by doing impactful work and making a difference in people’s lives, then the Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is the place for you. At the IUF, we believe in making the dream of higher education attainable, providing support for life-changing research, and preparing the next generation of leaders.  

As a trailblazer among our peers, we provide fundraising leadership and endowment stewardship to support needs and initiatives across all of Indiana University’s campuses. As part of our team, you will help make IU donors' dreams last forever.  

At the IUF we work hard, celebrate achievements, and foster an environment where everyone’s contributions matter. We are nimble and innovative, and we want you to bring your ideas and energy to join forces with some of the best talent in our industry. 

In addition to being part of a meaningful mission as an IUF employee, you’ll find there are many ways to connect and collaborate.  Our FUNdation (see what we did there?) Committee helps us connect and unwind with food truck lunches, holiday gatherings, costume contests, free snacks, IU spirit-wear Fridays, and spontaneous gestures that surprise and delight. Our Wellness Committee ensures that the health and well-being of our employees is top of mind through outstanding benefits, mental health offerings, and activities. We encourage community leadership and service and make space for our staff to pursue their passions. Our total rewards philosophy ensures that we support employees financially, emotionally, and in their career growth.  

If the IUF sounds like a fit for you, we invite you to join us today. 

Job Description

The salary range for this role is $48,000-$53,000 commensurate with experience. 

Start your next chapter helping IU donors feel seen, valued, and inspired!
The IU Foundation is seeking a Donor Engagement Associate to join our Donor Relations and Events Team.

In this role, you’ll manage, coordinate, and execute donor engagement activities that deepen relationships and elevate recognition across the IU community. You’ll deliver exceptional service while assessing donor needs, developing thoughtful engagement plans, and communicating targeted university opportunities. You’ll own marquee recognition experiences, leading Presidents Circle celebrations, and keep our centralized recognition programs running smoothly. From collaborating on creative and program design to on-site execution, budgeting, and post-event insights, you turn great ideas into meaningful moments for donors.

You’ll collaborate with colleagues across IU Advancement to deliver high-quality recognition experiences, curating program components, partnering with Marketing on creative deliverables, and coordinating logistics from stakeholder communications to post-event gift fulfillment. You’ll use our systems to document programs, analyze engagement data, and surface insights that sharpen what we do next. With autonomy and ownership, you’ll turn big ideas into action, keep projects moving, and create moments that help every IU donor feel appreciated and connected to the IUF mission.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in donor relations, development, event or project management; or Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing recognition or stewardship events and programs.
• Proficiency with data and project workflows; experience with event budgets and post-event reconciliation.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite required
• Experience preferred with technical platforms: project management tools (e.g., Adobe Workfront) and financial/reporting systems (e.g., FEM, Tableau) is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license with ability to travel as needed is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional customer service and professionalism; confident communicator with donors, executives, and partners at all levels.
• Strong organization, timeline/forecast management, and stress management; proven ability to juggle multiple projects with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ownership mindset with follow-through
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including drafting formal letters and event communications.
• Data fluency: request/segment lists, document activity in CRM/systems, interpret engagement data to recommend improvements.
• Collaborative, socially aware, and adaptable; able to balance competing partner goals and deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.
• Sound judgment with confidential information