Job Details

Philanthropic Engagement Specialist

Position Number: 6494431
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Philanthropic Engagement Specialist - 37443 University Staff

Description
Philanthropic Engagement Specialist

University Development

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Philanthropic Engagement Specialist to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range: $46,833 - $53,632 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-site with hybrid options.

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
Further Your Education: Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The UCCS Office of Advancement and the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS seeks a dynamic, organized and outgoing professional to contribute to the success of our team. As the Philanthropic Engagement Specialist, you will support Ent Center fundraising, engagement and stewardship goals by developing a pipeline of future donors and funders, providing high-level stewardship to existing donors and supporting multichannel annual giving campaigns. The successful Philanthropic Engagement Specialist will be collaborative, relationship-focused, and curious, with a data-driven approach to helping grow philanthropic support for the Ent Center. Key skills include the ability to successfully build relationships with internal and external constituents; the ability to effectively prioritize and stay on track with short-and long-term projects; and an ability to communicate persuasively and enthusiastically through a variety of channels. The Philanthropic Engagement Specialist will focus on fundraising for the Ent Center for the Arts, and its flagship programs, Theatreworks (a professional equity theatre company embedded in the university), the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA, a non-collecting gallery showing regional and national artists) and the Artist Series (a presenting series featuring touring artist from around the world). This position reports to the Director of Development and will collaborate closely with the Executive Director of the Ent Center for the Arts, Director of Theatreworks and Director of GOCA. The Philanthropic Engagement Specialist will be a key driver in the growth of annual giving fundraising for Ent Center programs through the identification and development of annual giving donors, reactivation of lapsed donors and deepening engagement with Ent Center patrons and prospective donors.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Annual and Leadership Giving Fundraising (35%)

With the guidance of the Director of Development, manage a group of current annual donors, lapsed donors and prospective donors. This will include frequent outreach through multiple communication channels including phone, email, video and in-person visits.
Regularly attend Ent Center performances and gallery openings (up to four events per month, may be outside of regular working hours) to build a deep understating of Ent Center for the Arts programming and the local arts community to inform the creation of meaningful donor and funder communication and stewardship including gathering data for and assisting to draft grant applications, guiding the grant process and creating donor appeals, donor stewardship and other meaningful outreach for current, lapsed and prospective donors and funders.
Thoughtfully execute donor-centered fundraising plans focused on relationship building, trust and ethically rooted philanthropic engagement. Leverage active listening, verbal, written and interpersonal skills and a data-driven approach to move prospective donors and donors along the commitment continuum.
Contribute to documentation and analysis of annual giving and engagement metrics, evolving program design through evaluation.
Provide excellent customer service for annual donor questions and requests. Resolve donor-related questions and concerns quickly and effectively.
Provide support for occasional donor events as needed

Stewardship (35%)

With the guidance of the Director of Development, manage and administer ongoing arts stewardship program to include gift acknowledgements, donor recognition, personalized stewardship opportunities and other correspondence. Work in partnership with Ent Center, advancement and stewardship staff to build customized stewardship for donors at all levels.
In partnership with Ent Center for the Arts and Advancement teams, support grant applications, reports and other requirements for current and prospective funders. Research and build outlines around securing additional funding through foundation and corporate funders.

Data (30%)

Ensure integrity of donor data. Create and implement systems to accurately track donors across Ent Center and Advancement CRMs. Support the process and lead UCCS Advancement components to track and gifts made through box office at time of ticket purchase through to the CU Foundation.
On a regular basis, run donor lists for publication, generate donor thank you letters, donor renewal reminders and other donor-centered stewardship materials specific to Ent Center programs.
Maintain an active awareness of goals, objectives, and direction of Ent Center for the Arts and Advancement programs as a whole and contribute to successful achievement of Ent Center for the Arts team goals.

Tentative Search Timeline

Priority will be given to applications submitted by: September 2, 2025
Potential interview dates: September 8, 2025-September 19,2025
Potential start date: October 1, 2025

Qualifications
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and proven professional experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, communications & public relations, or a related field. A combination of education and related experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.
Proven experience in leadership and annual giving is preferred.
Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in securing charitable gifts in the $1,000 to $10,000 range.
Experience working in the arts and a passion for the arts is a plus.
Strong candidates will have experience with donor stewardship and/or cultivation.
Experience with engagement metrics, including analysis is highly desired.
Experience using a CRM such as Salesforce or Tessitura is preferred.
Ideal candidates will have experience working in a higher education environment.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.
Special Instructions to Applicants: · Applications submitted by 9/02/2025 will receive full consideration. · Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at cu.edu/cu-careers (job #: 37443). · Official transcripts will be required upon hire. · Upon request, please be prepared to provide five professional references (at least two previous/current supervisors), including their email contact information If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at 303-860-4200 #5 or cucareershelp@cu.edu. Job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs will not sponsor work visas or permanent resident applications for this position. Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV Application Materials Instructions: Please identify the job specific minimums qualifications you possess in your cover letter and be sure your resume includes any relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting. To apply, please submit the following application materials to this posting. 1. A current resume. Must include date ranges to include month/year (mm/yyyy) and whether the position was full time or part time. 2. A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications. When submitting the materials, check the Job Specific Requirements box next to each document in order for the search committee members to see your materials.

Job Category: Development

Primary Location: Colorado Springs Department: C0001 -- Colorado Springs Campus - 40250 - VCUA-University Development

Schedule: Full-time

Posting Date: Aug 20, 2025

Unposting Date: Ongoing Posting Contact Name: Mary Dunn Posting Contact Email: mdunn3@uccs.edu Position Number: 00788095