The Gift Agreement Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the university’s philanthropic efforts by drafting, reviewing, and managing gift agreements that document donor intent and ensure institutional compliance. This position works closely with development officers, central advancement leadership, legal counsel, and campus partners to create clear, accurate, and enforceable agreements that align donor wishes with institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Gift Agreement Drafting & Review

• Draft, edit, and finalize gift agreements, amendments, memoranda of understanding, and related documents that articulate donor intent.
• Ensure agreements comply with university policies, IRS regulations, CASE standards, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Translate complex donor conversations into precise, actionable agreement language.
• Maintain consistency in agreement structure, terminology, and formatting across all units.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

• Partner with frontline fundraisers to understand donor commitments and provide guidance on appropriate agreement structures.
• Consult with university legal counsel on agreements requiring specialized review.
• Coordinate with finance, scholarship administration, academic units, and stewardship teams to ensure feasibility and clarity of agreement terms.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on gift documentation best practices.
• Assist other campus partners with endowment and gift agreement questions and reporting.
• Assist with annual donor reporting.

Compliance & Policy Management

• Monitor and interpret institutional policies related to gift acceptance, fund creation, and endowment management.
• Ensure agreements align with university naming policies, spending guidelines, and fund minimums.
• Identify potential compliance risks and recommend solutions to mitigate them.
• Support periodic policy updates and training for Advancement staff.
• Stay current on industry trends and emerging best practices in gift documentation.
• Assist in auditing existing agreements to confirm alignment with current policies and donor intent.

Shift: M-F 8am-5pm with some occasional events