Durham Academy and the Philanthropy Team are committed to securing the financial resources and leveraging the dedication of families, alumni, and friends to achieve our mission of preparing students for moral, happy, and productive lives. As an integral member of the Durham Academy Philanthropy Team, the Philanthropy Gifts & Operations Coordinator is responsible for gift entry, managing the donor acknowledgment process, supporting events, and facilitating the smooth operation of the Office of Philanthropy. The Philanthropy Gifts & Operations Coordinator reports to the Director of Philanthropy. The position is a permanent, full-time, 12-month position with benefits. 

The ideal candidate should: 

• have experience with data entry 

• be detail-oriented, organized and capable of utilizing technology for data entry 

• be customer service-oriented, approachable and professional when interacting with colleagues and donors 

• exercise good judgment, prioritize effectively and demonstrate confidentiality 

• demonstrate strong organizational skills with the ability to adapt to changing priorities

• possess strong oral and written communication skills

• include a writing sample with application

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

• Data and Gift Entry 

  • Accurately enter and record all gifts on a daily basis, including but not limited to gifts, pledges, pledge payments, and related details. 

  • Assist the Philanthropy Services Manager in coordinating with the Business Office to process gifts made through payroll deductions, online gifts, mailed checks, stock and wire transfers.

  • Coordinate with donors, financial advisors, and matching gift companies.

  • Regularly update donor records and monitor and maintain data integrity.

• Gift Acknowledgments 

  • Promptly and accurately acknowledge all gifts, pledges, and pledge payments.

  • Draft and tailor acknowledgment letters to align with the various giving seasons and milestones throughout the school year. 

  • Notify parties of gifts made in honor or memory of a community member. 

  • Maintain organized filing systems (digital and physical) for documents, records, and team resources.

• Event Support

  • Assist team with the logistical planning and execution of reunions, alumni gatherings, on-campus celebrations, and donor stewardship events.

  • Oversee event record-keeping processes, including online registration setup, guest lists, nametags, check-in procedures, communication with attendees, and event records in the school database. 

• Philanthropy Operations

  • Support the Philanthropy office with general administrative duties, project management, the office calendar, and cross-departmental coordination.

  • Manage the in-house mailing process — including printing materials, labeling, stuffing, and preparing mail for delivery — to ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality communications from the Philanthropy office.

  • Order office paper and supplies, oversee maintenance requests, and maintain vendor accounts. 

  • Assist with day-to-day operational tasks as requested by various team members, ensuring timely and accurate completion.

  • Provide flexible administrative and operational support to team members while reporting directly to the Director of Philanthropy.

Requirements and Expectations 

• Bachelor's degree preferred, with a minimum of two years of data entry experience

• Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology: Veracross database, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Zoom, and willingness to learn other emerging technologies 

• Experience with database/fundraising software systems (such as Veracross or Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge) is a plus 

• Commitment to Durham Academy's mission to prepare students for moral, happy, and productive lives 

• Unwavering commitment to donor confidentiality 

• Ability to work effectively with teams, attend and support events, and engage with the life of the school 

• Independent school and/or fundraising experience, preferred. 

DA Employees 

• Are culturally competent and believe in the central importance of diversity and equity in the life of a school community. 

• Can work independently with minimal supervision and routinely prioritize multiple tasks. 

• Have the ability to work in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness and attention to detail. 

• Are personable, collaborative and able to develop rapport quickly with a variety of individuals.

• Use technology thoughtfully and creatively. 

• Innovate and experiment to find novel and efficient ways to complete tasks and solve problems. 

Our School 

Founded in 1933, Durham Academy is an all-gender, independent day school with 1,267 students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 on three campuses. The purpose of a Durham Academy education is to prepare each student to live a moral, happy and productive life. DA’s Strategic Vision commits to preparing students for life, meeting the needs of our learners and innovating more boldly, with a foundation broadening and deepening our work with diversity, equity and engagement. Our DA is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). Durham Academy is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

Diversity, Equity and Engagement Mission Statement 

Diversity enlivens, improves and enriches the intellectual and social environment of an academic community and encompasses all aspects of humanity including racial identity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age and gender identity. We are committed to an ongoing process to increase the diversity of our community and to implement policies, programs and practices under which all members of our community feel welcomed, empowered, responsible and safe. Amidst our diversity we stand united in the pursuit of academic excellence and development of individual capabilities. Find out more about DA’s commitment to diversity, equity and engagement here. 

(Adopted by the Durham Academy Board of Trustees in 2004 and updated in 2008) 

Our Employment Policy 

Durham Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Requirements and Expectations 

• Bachelor's degree preferred, with a minimum of two years of data entry experience

• Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology: Veracross database, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Zoom, and willingness to learn other emerging technologies 

• Experience with database/fundraising software systems (such as Veracross or Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge) is a plus 

• Commitment to Durham Academy's mission to prepare students for moral, happy, and productive lives 

• Unwavering commitment to donor confidentiality 

• Ability to work effectively with teams, attend and support events, and engage with the life of the school 

• Independent school and/or fundraising experience, preferred. 

About Durham Academy

Durham Academy was founded in 1933 as the Calvert Method School. The founders, George Watts Hill and his wife Ann McCulloch Hill, established the school as a private, independent school to educate their children and others in Durham. The school’s initial teaching philosophy (and its name) was based on the Calvert School in Baltimore, Maryland, which Ann McCulloch Hill attended as a child. In 1959, the school ended its affiliation with the Calvert School, changed its name to Durham Academy, and began an expansion that led to the first high school graduating class in 1975. The school has continued to grow over the years, evolving into one of the top independent schools in the state and nation. In preparing students exceptionally well for college and life beyond, DA focuses on the acquisition of knowledge paired with the development of skills, critical judgment, and intellectual curiosity. Small classes, excellent and inspiring teachers, top-notch facilities, and a vigorous and engaging academic program support the mission of preparing students for moral, happy, and productive lives. In all, the goal is to help students develop habits that lead to academic success, moral behavior, ...responsible action, and the growth of character. Durham Academy also believes that enhancing the spirit of community among faculty, students, and families is essential to the achievement of its goals. The faculty and staff approach each student as an individual. To that end, the school encourages close personal relationships fostered in an atmosphere of trust, respect for individual differences, and appreciation for the racial, cultural, and religious diversity in our society. The school is organized into four divisions — Preschool, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School — each with its own director. Hill Learning Center, which was founded at Durham Academy and remains a close neighbor and partner, serves a range of public and private school students, teachers, schools, and school districts in four distinct program areas: School, Summer, Tutoring, and Educator Professional Development Programs. Durham Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also a member of or affiliated with the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC).

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