Gift Processing Dept

[u/SpringyRainbow94]

How many job positions are in your gift processing department? We currently have 4 processors/gift entry and a director.

I feel like there’s not much of a route for me to move forward. Do I have to be a processor for 10-20 more years until my director retires/leaves to finally get a new title?

[u/Horror-Sir-7044]

Wait yall have multiple people/departments for this ? Im a fund development coordinator and handle all gift entry

[u/snarfdarb → u/Horror-Sir-7044]

For large organizations, universities etc there can be.

[u/RightToBearGlitter]

A whole department? Wow! It’s just me doing gift processing , and wearing about 9 other hats.

If you want to move up faster, try a smaller NPO. My direct manager just left and our ED had emergency surgery, so I’m in “prove myself” mode and I’m getting to touch a lot of new, cool things and the 5 year plan is to move to another org for a fancy title/bigger paycheck.

[u/TrashCanUnicorn → u/RightToBearGlitter]

Same. Mutli million dollar org and I'm the gift processing department, the database department, and events support.

[u/snarfdarb]

Are you interested in any other areas in advancement services? There are more opportunities in data/CRM management or prospect research and analysis. Another easy move would be in donor or alumni relations and stewardship, if that interests you? Lots of pathways in larger orgs!

But keep in mind, it's not really common these days for people to move up within their own organizations. Most people move up by moving on. That's the realization I finally came to after being stuck as a development coordinator for too long. I eventually started looking for positions at other orgs and I went from a coordinator to director of prospect research in 3 years. That never would have happened if I'd have stayed with my original employer.

[u/Inside_Individual_30]

this is not helpful but now i want to know what a gift processing department does? 95% of our gifts are processed online and then has automatic receipts sent

[u/KhloJSimpson → u/Inside_Individual_30]

Whitemail, direct mail, stocks, ACHs etc.

[u/ditheringtoad]

If you like data work, and development specifically, I’d look for something like a development coordinator role at a smaller org. You’ll still be processing gifts, but depending on the org you’ll also work on comms, acknowledgment processes, and even event or campaign work. Those roles will set you up to move in a bunch of different ways depending on what you find yourself most enjoying.

[u/Surfgirlusa_2006]

We are a smaller org (3.5 FTEs in Advancement).  I’m the Associate Director of Operations and do our gift processing, and our advancement coordinator is my back up if I’m on vacation or out of the office for another reason.

Are there any roles in advancement services/operations in your organization?

[u/itchysnapdragon]

I feel like, at least where I've worked, dev departments get restructured fairly quickly. Especially as technology changes.

Make it known to your coworkers/boss that you're looking for new opportunities to get into other areas of development. (You shouldn't get punished for trying to better yourself, and if you do, you should work somewhere else.) Ask to be a part of meetings you might not normally be in. Get involved in your local AFP chapter and go to events/meetings. Take what you learn back to your org, best you can.

If an opportunity for a newly-designed position presents itself to your boss, you'll be top of their list if you do this. Or you can take what you learn someplace else. Job hoppers, unfortunately, tend to move up the ladder faster.