Rebecca Swartz
Hillsborough,NC
Summary
Advancement professional with deep expertise in gift and data management, CRM accuracy, annual giving, and donor stewardship. Known for supervising staff, resolving complex constituent and gift issues, applying policy and reporting standards, and improving workflows that support fundraising and institutional accountability.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Gift and Data Management
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
03.2023 - Current
- Supported rollout of new chargeback process for credit card gift fees and worked with leadership to expand process to all gifts starting January 1, 2027.
- Performed monthly account and fund reconciliations in CRM to confirm deposits, journals, and transfers were recorded and balanced.
- Supervised and supported professional development for 17 staff members on data integrity and gift services.
- Applied gift acceptance rules and procedures, including university policy, IRA rules and regulations, and CASE reporting standards.
- Facilitated timely updates and processing of gifts and data to support solicitation strategies and reporting requirements.
- Collaborated with campus partners, including accounting, business officers, lead development and major gift officers, deans, and department heads, to address gift and constituent data inquiries and fulfill requests.
- Managed preparation and oversight of annual department budget to ensure alignment with financial goals.
- Acted as primary contact for HR to address hiring needs and personnel concerns.
Alumni Relations/Constituent Coordinator
Carolina Friends School
07.2018 - 03.2023
- Encouraged alumni participation and leadership in our annual Giving Day, with alumni giving growth of 82% over 3 years.
- Initiated the school's first monthly alumni e-newsletter and instituted Class Notes in our bi-annual print magazine.
- Successfully worked with alums to offer virtual programs during Covid.
- Implemented a new alumni, alumni family, and former staff directory via Graduway.
- Maintained alumni-related social media presence and communication, including transitioning of the current graduating class to alumni status.
- Additional job responsibilities include managing development operations; database maintenance; gift processing; general donor relations; supporting the Parent-Staff Association in planning and strategy; events management; and donor stewardship and recognition.
Annual Giving Coordinator and Campaign Associate
Carolina Friends School
06.2010 - 06.2018
- Managed the annual giving campaign from conception to execution (unrestricted goal from $370,000-$390,000 annually).
- Provided support for the Advancement Director and Co-Conveners of the Building Friends Capital Campaign (goal reached = $7,750,000, not inclusive of additional restricted giving and annual fund).
- Fundraising increased by 33% in first year of employment, and exceeded goal by an average of 5% in subsequent years.
- Lead the design, production, execution, receipting, and stewardship for all aspects of the annual campaign for staff, board, and the broader CFS community, including an annual phonathon and bi-annual thankathon.
Manager of Special Projects (part-time)
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
08.2008 - 01.2012
- Drafted and submitted foundation proposals and grant applications (private and federal) through Duke's SSRI and SPS systems.
- Created prospect lists for targeted program support goals.
- Prepared development reports and meeting materials for the local Friends Board and the National Board of Advisors.
Consultant
North Carolina Symphony and the UNC Wesley Foundation
09.2008 - 05.2010
- Implemented subscriber-based system that produced a 30% increase in annual unrestricted giving, as part of the fall subscription renewal mailing.
- Provided interim leadership for the corporate membership and sponsor program.
- Organized and led the first Thank-A-Thon (with our musicians).
- Facilitated the adoption of a new advancement database and the implementation of a recognition/receipting/reporting process.
- Executed their annual campaign.
- Identified major gift prospects and created cultivation and stewardship plans.
- Managed website and communications.
Director of Development and External Affairs
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
08.2005 - 07.2008
- Responsible for annual philanthropic support of $2M+ annually (restricted and unrestricted).
- Secured additional $1M+ for the presentation of a blockbuster exhibition, El Greco to Velazquez.
- Oversaw membership/annual/alumni philanthropy; major/planned gifts strategy; corporate and foundation relations; marketing and communications; events planning/rentals; and volunteer management.
- Supervised four staff members and served as a member of the museum’s senior management team.
- Participated in a leadership role in opening the new museum in October 2005.
- Provided strategy and support for a week of special events tailored to a number of stakeholders (university staff, students, trustees, alumni, and the local community).
Director of Development
PlayMakers Repertory Company at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
06.2001 - 07.2005
- Strategized and executed all aspects of the fundraising program including annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate sponsorships, government/private grants, and foundation proposals.
- Managed recognition and stewardship process, including gift acknowledgments, benefits distribution, donor recognition programs, and corporate events.
- Supervised a team of two: a part-time events coordinator and a fulltime outreach/educational matinee coordinator.
Assistant Director of Phone and Mail Programs
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
05.2000 - 05.2001
- Supported day-to-day management of the phone center and direct mail program for the university.
- Worked with 150+ student employees to raise over $3.8 million dollars annually via 85,000 phone calls and 240,000 direct mail pieces.
- Managed and coordinated the logistics of direct mail projects for the Office of University Development, constituent schools, and units under the guidance of the Director.
- Analyzed and reported phone and mail results weekly and monthly for the Central Development Office and constituent schools.
- Participated in annual planning sessions with central development and school-based constituents to set goals and strategized messaging.
Development and Outreach Coordinator for the Carolina Union
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
09.1998 - 04.2000
Curatorial Assistant
Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro
01.1991 - 01.1995
Education
Master of Arts - Arts Administration
The School, The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Chicago, IL12-1999
Bachelor of Arts - Design
The University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC05-1993
Skills
- Data Management and Analysis
- Blackbaud/CRM certified
- Grant/Proposal Writing
- Budget Development/Reconciliation
- Fundraising strategy
- Annual Giving
- Major Gifts
- Alumni Relations
- Development Operations
- Program Management
- Donor Research
- Technology Savvy
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint)
- Communications and stewardship software, including Graduway, GiveCampus, and Evertrue
- Visual Content Creation
- Relationship building
Affiliations
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education Member, Current
- Carolina Friends School, CASE District III Special Merit Award – Dance Inspired Annual Campaign, 2013
- Carolina Friends School, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge Fundamentals Certified, 2019
- Association of Advancement Service Professionals Member, Current
Timeline
Director of Gift and Data Management
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
03.2023 - Current
Alumni Relations/Constituent Coordinator
Carolina Friends School
07.2018 - 03.2023
Annual Giving Coordinator and Campaign Associate
Carolina Friends School
06.2010 - 06.2018
Consultant
North Carolina Symphony and the UNC Wesley Foundation
09.2008 - 05.2010
Manager of Special Projects (part-time)
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
08.2008 - 01.2012
Director of Development and External Affairs
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
08.2005 - 07.2008
Director of Development
PlayMakers Repertory Company at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
06.2001 - 07.2005
Assistant Director of Phone and Mail Programs
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
05.2000 - 05.2001
Development and Outreach Coordinator for the Carolina Union
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
09.1998 - 04.2000
Curatorial Assistant
Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro
01.1991 - 01.1995
Master of Arts - Arts Administration
The School, The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Bachelor of Arts - Design
The University of North Carolina At Greensboro