Elizabeth Darkins
Palm Coast,FL
Summary
Forward-thinking, resourceful, compassionate philanthropy specialist bringing 10 years of expertise in the nonprofit higher education sector. Cultivates rapport with individuals to optimize project goals and output, resolve complex problems and deliver innovative improvement strategies. Proficient in Workday, Ascend Salesforce, Ellucian Advance and Blackbaud. Offering fundraising support for nonprofit contribution management and data enhancement.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Specialist, Gift Processing & Constituent Management
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
- Streamline contribution processing procedures while improving efficiency and database accuracy for $20 million dollar campaign contributions, recurring subscriptions, pledges, gift agreements, letters of intent and evaluation of fund designations for endowments,term scholarships, program support and enhancement funds for the University.
- Extensive knowledge in CASE Global Standards guidelines to ensure compliance of contributions.
- Provide excellent customer service to donors and organizations addressing inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Collaborate with Controller's Office to facilitate month-end and fiscal year-end closing reconciliation efforts to the general ledger.
- Onboard and train new staff members on philanthropy gift processing principles and procedures.
- Develop comprehensive policy manuals outlining standard operating procedures contributing to a well-organized workplace culture.
Assistant Manager of Gift and Data Records
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
- Responsible for processing contributions, implementing gift agreements for new designation funds and pledges, Letters of Intent, planned estate gifts, recurring gift subscriptions, proposals and matching contribution management.
- Maintained accurate financial and contribution records to remain compliant with CASE Global Reporting Standard regulations.
- Developed and maintained accurate donor databases to track donations and engage with donors.
- Supported month-end and fiscal year-end closing process by preparing account reconciliations and variance analysis reports.
- Provided regular progress reports on fundraising goals to board members, staff and stakeholders.
- Mentored team members to enhance professional development and accountability in workplace.
Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Associate
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
- Identified potential donors through strategic outreach efforts, leading to increased financial support for scholarships and programs at the institution.
- Processed contributions and deposited gifts with the Accounting Department from all organizations and constituents.
- Onboarding, training and supervision of 6-8 student assistants on standard department operating procedures during each Fall, Spring and Summer term.
- Arranged 10-15 donor scholarship luncheons with student recipients per term including purchase order procurements approvals for all scholarship luncheons, University VIP guest lecturers’, Philanthropy Council, VIP donor and Board of Visitor events.
Philanthropy Administrative Assistant
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
- Processed contributions received on the Prescott campus from all organizations and constituents.
- Arranged donor scholarship luncheons with student recipients including purchase order procurements approvals for all scholarship luncheons, University VIP guest lecturers’, Philanthropy Council, VIP donor and Board of Visitor events.
- Facilitated collaboration within team by organizing regular meetings and tracking project progress.
- Developed strategies to streamline and improve office procedures.
- Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping, and data entry for increased efficiency.
Student Financials Account Coordinator
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
- Managed in-house collections for the Student Financial Services office reconciling monthly aging and past due daily balances due by term for every student.
- Updated internal databases with account information to maintain concise, clear records.
- Included in depth daily email and phone communication with the student body and their parents as well as various departments throughout the University.
- Comprised of sending monthly email notices to students with balances owed to the University as well as collection phone calls and collection direct mail.
Office Manager
Interstate Batteries of Greater Arizona
01.2011 - 07.2014
- Extensive experience as an Office Manager & Bookkeeper for a battery distributor serving the entire Northern Arizona region
- Maintained accurate financial records by reconciling accounts payable/receivable transactions regularly to ensure balance budgets,
- Strong emphasis on budget reconciliation, collections, customer service relations for battery dealer accounts, vendors & retail sales.
- Office management of daily operations to Warehouse Associates and administrative support at all levels to distributorship Owner & Route Sales Managers.
Senior Project Engineer / Contract Administrator
Minardos Group, LLC
09.2006 - 12.2009
- On-site operation of various multi-million dollar commercial and residential ground-up to TI building projects while maintaining quality control, sustainability, and value engineering
- Created and monitored all contract documents including but not limited to control estimates, budget creation, project audits, subcontract creation, change order processing and construction schedule tracking.
- Optimized resource allocation for cost-effective project management ensuring projects stayed within budget constraints.
Assistant Project Manager
Estrin-Hinds Construction
12.2003 - 08.2006
- Involvement with commercial ground-up and TI building projects including a 13-Floor hospital renovation for a general contractor.
- Duties included construction management, budget reconciliation, A/P, A/R, subcontract creation, change order processing, submittal systems, on site office management, and company payroll.
- Enabled accurate project tracking by maintaining up-to-date schedules, status reports, and budgets in project management software.
Director of Client Services
DCD, Incorporated
06.2001 - 10.2003
- Focused on campaign development and management services, with exceptional capabilities in media planning, market analysis, media negotiation and buying.
- Cultivated a positive team culture by recognizing employee achievements, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional development opportunities.
- Managed in house customer service department staff and outsourced customer service department, for a DRTV Infomercial company focusing on health & fitness products.
Education
Associate of Science - Health Information Management / Communications
Yavapai College
Prescott,AZBachelor of Science - Organizational Leadership
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus
Daytona Beach, FL05.2026
Skills
- Fundraising initiatives support
- Donor Relations
- Association of Advancement Professionals (AASP) Member
- Well-versed in CASE Global Reporting Standards
- Critical thinking ability
- Expertise in Ellucian Advance Web 9811, Ascend Salesforce, Workday and Anthology Encompass
- Proficiency in Blackbaud, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, LexisNexis, Oracle and Campus Solutions and and TouchNet UCommerce Platform
Volunteer Experience
- Staff Council Committee Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL - Committee Member 2021- Present
- Staff Council and Workplace Improvement Committee's, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ- President 2020-2021;
Treasurer 2016-2021
- Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, Prescott, AZ, ZooTeen Program Parent Volunteer, 2011 - 2014
- Santa Monica Pony League Baseball, Santa Monica, CA, Team Manager & Parent Volunteer, 2005 - 2009
Timeline
Specialist, Gift Processing & Constituent Management
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
Assistant Manager of Gift and Data Records
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Associate
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
Philanthropy Administrative Assistant
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
Student Financials Account Coordinator
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
07.2014 - Current
Office Manager
Interstate Batteries of Greater Arizona
01.2011 - 07.2014
Senior Project Engineer / Contract Administrator
Minardos Group, LLC
09.2006 - 12.2009
Assistant Project Manager
Estrin-Hinds Construction
12.2003 - 08.2006
Director of Client Services
DCD, Incorporated
06.2001 - 10.2003
Associate of Science - Health Information Management / Communications
Yavapai College
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Leadership
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus
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