Advancement Associate

Denver Seminary; Colorado; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Seminary is seeking an Advancement Associate to work with the Vice President of Advancement to qualify prospects, build relationships, and secure long-term gifts from donors, alumni, churches, and friends. The role includes portfolio management, CRM-driven moves, and leading entry events to broaden the donor base.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in advancement with at least two years of fundraising experience, excellent communication skills, and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in advancement (minimum of two years’ experience).
• Excellent oral and writing proficiency.
• Project and budget management experience.

Responsibilities

• Qualify prospects, build relationships, and acquire long-term financial gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of donors using moves management and CRM tracking.
• Coordinate with leadership to expand donor pipeline and reach annual fund goals.
• Lead point-of-entry events and collaborate with staff and volunteers.

Skills

Excellent oral and writing proficiency

Donor relations

CRM / fundraising moves management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in advancement

Job description

Denver Seminary is a multidenominational graduate school committed to preparing men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through rigorous educational programs and a mentoring-focused community, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, equipping them to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world.

General Statement of Job Function

The Advancement Associate works alongside the Vice President of Advancement and the Advancement Director to achieve the Seminary’s fund-raising goals by qualifying prospects, building relationships, and acquiring long-term financial gifts from donors, alumni, churches, and friends of the Seminary. This individual provides leadership for point-of-entry activities that seek to strengthen relationships with donors and expand the prospect pool for the Seminary.

Essential Functions

• Builds Denver Seminary’s financial support base through annual and mid-major gifts, while helping the Seminary reach annual gift income and campaign goals.
• Develops relationships through regular contact with Seminary donors and potential donors to solicit and acquire financial contributions and achieve annual fund-raising goals.
• Manages a portfolio of mid-major level donors, annual fund donors and prospective donors, developing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies to grow their giving over time. Utilize a moves management approach, actively utilizing CRM tool for tracking pipeline movements and actions.
• Identifies, researches, and cultivates new donor prospects to expand the Seminary’s pipeline of mid-major and future major gift supporters. Collaborate with Advancement Data Specialist to expand pipeline.
• Represents and accurately articulates the President’s vision for the Seminary effectively through writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication. Grow in fundraising knowledge and practice through continuing education.

Secondary Functions

• Mobilizes staff and volunteers and attends to details for point-of-entry events such as luncheons, campus tours, Giving Day and other special campaigns.
• Coordinate with Advancement Operations Manager for Marketing and Communications needs for Advancement Projects in collaboration with VP of Advancement as appropriate.
• Works with team to develop and implement strategy on increasing the annual giving by donors with a focus on moving donors through a pipeline of increased yearly gifts, new donor gifts and lapsed donor recruitment.
• Manages specific development programs and activities as requested by the Vice President of Advancement.

Education/Training

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in advancement (minimum of two years’ experience in advancement).
• Excellent oral and writing proficiency.
• Project and budget management experience.

Qualifications

• Committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ required and a lifestyle consistent with the Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitments.
• Agrees with Denver Seminary’s statement of faith.
• Fervent interest in fund-raising, development, or relationship management for non-profit organizations or academic institutions.
• Achieves annual fund-raising goals. Innovative and strategic leader with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Approaches and handles all work with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Self-motivated and works to find solutions.
• Comfortable communicating with internal and external constituents.
• Capable of completing multiple projects simultaneously to meet required deadlines.
• Organized, energetic, flexible, detail-oriented, and technologically proficient.
• Relational leader, comfortable working with teammates and volunteers.
• Builds trust and works collaboratively across all levels of the institution. Servant’s heart, customer focused, quick to absorb information and learn.

Denver Seminary prepares men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through our educational programs and mentoring process, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally to lead God’s people in the accomplishment of His mission in the world. The position of Advancement Associate supports this mission through the following outcomes:

Outcomes

All outcomes will be measured according to a variety of standards including, but not limited to, an increase in donor acquisition and retention.

• As part of the Advancement team, meets financial giving goals for Seminary operations.
• Enhancement of the reputation and credibility of the institution through developing and maintaining positive relationships, effectively performing Advancement services and demonstrating excellent writing with Seminary constituents and new prospects.
• Successfully drives point-of-entry events and development programs to be well organized and executed.
• Models a continuous learning attitude which includes personal, professional, and spiritual growth to edify others.

Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Normal office environment with regular computer use, including occasional standing, walking, stair climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, and lifting/moving up to 25 lbs. This donor-facing role also requires regular local travel and periodic evening or weekend availability for cultivation visits and point-of-entry events.

Denver Seminary is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence in all areas of ministry and operations. As a faith-based institution, Denver Seminary exercises its legal rights to prefer candidates who affirm and support our Statement of Faith and Community Values, consistent with applicable religious exemptions under federal law

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who require accommodation during the application process should contact Human Resources.

Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States and successful completion of a background check.