The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary to benefit current and future generations. As a leader in cultivating and sustaining the vitality of one of the most biologically and culturally diverse regions in the world, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is the only nonprofit organization serving this 25-county region and the Qualla Boundary that preserves, cultivates, and promotes five nationally significant heritage resources, including agriculture, Cherokee, craft, music, and natural heritage.

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is based in Asheville, North Carolina, but our work takes place in all parts of the region. We are dedicated to transparency and quality in all we do, ensuring every program reflects the distinct character, traditions, and culture for present and future generations. Our organization is committed to equity and fair representation, and we seek to cultivate a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and has a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

Current Job Postings

Administrative and Database Specialist

LEVEL: Full-Time, 40 hours a week, Hourly, Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

STARTING HOURLY RATE: $21.50 to $22.50 per hour plus benefits.

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) has recently invested in customer relations management Software (Bloomerang) to strengthen its capacity for philanthropic giving and streamline functioning and coordination across its many partner and program platforms. BRNHA seeks an Administrative and Database Specialist with experience in fund development to provide essential administrative and coordination support for BRNHA’s fundraising program and database system. The position will play a pivotal role in supporting the organization’s financial sustainability and will report to the Executive Director while working with communications, programs, and finance staff.

The position requires a highly effective, self-motivated and detail-oriented individual with experience in providing logistical support, managing a constituent database, and coordinating with other team members to ensure successful donor relations. A successful candidate must demonstrate high energy, creativity, teamwork, adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with staff, community partners, and donors.

Primary Focus

While this position’s role encompasses a breadth of responsibilities, this position is primarily responsible for development operations and donor stewardship systems, with additional administrative support duties to ensure smooth organizational functioning.

Database and Systems Management – 30%-time allocation, although initially will be higher.

Position is responsible for the overall management of the CRM/donor database, including:

Data and gift entry; creation of forms; preparing reports; managing technical aspects of the database including the setup and maintenance of constituent records and event registrations; ongoing clean up; and troubleshooting.
Working with BRNHA staff to utilize the database tools to maintain records for their specific program focus areas.
Overseeing the organization’s standards and conventions manual and database user guide, ensuring that data entries and systems follow the correct protocols.
Assist the communications manager with updating Constant Contact records. Manage Constant Contact lists, such as uploading new contacts, managing email bounce backs and do not contact requests in both Constant Contact and Bloomerang, and creating reports.

Development Operations and Stewardship – 35%-time allocation

Work with the executive director and other staff to implement the organization’s development and donor relations program:

Implement a timely and tailored gift acknowledgment system that includes generating acknowledgement letters and cards; providing information to support phone calls; and calling donors to thank them and/or confirm gift information and recognition. This position will not be primarily responsible for drafting appeals and acknowledgement letters.
Support development efforts by conducting research on potential cultivations.
Coordinate a welcome mailing to new donors and support special stewardship initiatives, such as cultivation events and fundraisers.
Manage donor inquiries and communication as needed, prepare donor and sponsor packets, and oversee printing of donor relations materials.
Work with the finance manager on system of checks and balances for donations, sponsors, and in-kind gifts, including monthly reports on donations, sponsorships, earned income, in-kind gifts, and matches.
Print documents and create online and paper files for record keeping for the sponsorship, earned revenue and grants program.

Administrative and Office Support – 30%-time allocation

This position will be responsible for providing day-to-day continuity in the office through administrative support for the organization and the executive director.

Provide day-to-day office duties such as answering telephone calls, printing copies, sending/receiving documents, shredding documents, mailings, ordering supplies, distributing magazines, packing and mailing merchandise purchases. Manage reservations for donor-related activities and create nametags.
Manage the organization’s monthly credit card process, including collecting receipts, reconciling transactions and preparing accurate reports for the finance manager to support financial accuracy and internal controls and timely month-end close.
Help with filing system and maintain an appointment calendar for the executive director, prepare materials for appointments, make travel arrangements, create travel itineraries, assist with budget and expense reports, and other duties as requested by the executive director.
Help manage meeting logistics such as creating packets, making copies, ordering food, and working with other staff to set up AV, etc. Take minutes at BRNHA board meetings and advisory board meetings.

Other Duties – 5%-time allocation

Assist BRNHA staff with “all hands on deck” events and projects and other tasks assigned by executive director.

Qualifications

Agility and experience with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, including advanced Excel using formulas and pivot tables.
CRM database experience required, with specific experience in Bloomerang, Rasier’s Edge, Salesforce, Donor Perfect, Neon One, or other CRM focused on data input, creating reports, and reconciliation with the finance office.
Fundraising experience a plus.
Strong attention to detail.
Strong planning and organizational skills.
A proven record as a resourceful problem-solver familiar with the complexities of an organization.
Nonprofit experience and general understanding of the components of a fundraising program preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service skills.
Minimum of associate’s degree, or commensurate experience required. Bachelor’s degree a plus.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding organizational data and processes.

Work Style and Professional Presence

Emotional maturity, amiable disposition, and self-confidence.
Ability to inspire, motivate and effectively articulate the needs of the organization.
Convey credibility, trust, enthusiasm, and integrity.
Ability to work with people from all levels of society.
Capacity to work in a fast-paced team setting.
Works well in a small nonprofit team setting.

About the Organization

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary to benefit current and future generations. Now in its 22nd year, BRNHA is a leader in cultivating and sustaining the vitality of one of the most biologically and culturally diverse regions in the world, with a focus on agriculture, Cherokee, craft, music, and natural heritage.

The organization is based in Asheville, North Carolina, but our work takes place in all parts of the region. BRNHA is dedicated to transparency and quality, ensuring every program reflects the distinct character, traditions, and culture for present and future generations. We seek to cultivate a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and has a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

Benefits and Salary Range for Position

Starting salary for the position is $21.50 to $22.50 per hour. BRNHA offers a comprehensive benefit package, including paid health and dental insurance for the employee as well as flexible paid time off. The organization also provides contributions to a health savings account and offers a retirement plan with employer contributions of six percent. This is an hourly position with a standard expectation of 40 hours a week during regular business hours. While core responsibilities must be met, the role accommodates workload fluctuations and individual scheduling needs.

Working Environment and Physical Demands

Work in an office environment, may need to work some evenings and weekends based on schedule of development activities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, but position is subject to frequent interruptions, which may require a varied response.
Must use personal vehicle for travel with IRS-approved mileage reimbursement rate.
May occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Close vision is required, as well as the ability to speak and hear clearly.
Some walking or standing may be required, and the position will require sitting and reaching with hands and arms. Good eye/hand/foot coordination required.

This job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Certificates and Licenses:

The employee is required to have a North Carolina Driver’s License and show proof of automobile insurance.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

To apply for the position, send resume, cover letter and three references to: Blue Ridge National Heritage Area: info@blueridgeheritage.com.

Position will be advertised until filled. Applicant review will begin February 24. Update: Still accepting applications as of March 9, 2026.