Advancement Coordinator

The Association of Colorado Independent Schools; Colorado Springs, Pueblo (CO, CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The Colorado Springs School is seeking an Advancement Coordinator to organize and execute the school’s fundraising program, donor communications, stewardship, grants, events, and advancement operations. This role partners with the Director of Enrollment Management, Head of School, and volunteers to reach annual fundraising goals.

Responsibilities include coordinating the annual fund calendar, donor communications, grant administration, and prospect research, while maintaining clean data and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• 2+ years in fundraising, nonprofit administration, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organizational skills.
• Comfort with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace and various fundraising platforms.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the annual fundraising calendar, including the Annual Fund, giving days, year-end appeals, constituent challenges, and other approved campaigns.
• Prepare timelines, mailing lists, draft content, online giving forms, pledge reminders, acknowledgments, and campaign reports.
• Coordinate fundraising communications with Marketing and Communications to ensure accuracy, brand consistency, and audience segmentation.
• Track campaign progress, participation, donor retention, and outstanding pledges; provide updates to school leadership.
• Support the Head of School and volunteers with donor research, meeting prep, briefing materials, follow-up, and stewardship actions.
• Assist with prospect identification and maintain donor/prospect pipelines.
• Research prospective foundations, businesses, and community partners; maintain grants calendar and reporting.

Skills

Fundraising coordination

Donor communications

Event planning

Grants administration

Prospect research

Data management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

CRM software

MS 365 / Google Workspace

Job description

ACIS accredits, supports, and advances the interests of Colorado independent schools.

The Colorado Springs School (CSS) seeks an organized, collaborative, and relationship-oriented Advancement Coordinator to support and coordinate the school’s fundraising program. This position is responsible for the day-today execution of annual giving, donor communications and stewardship, grant administration, fundraising events, prospect tracking, and advancement operations.

The Coordinator works closely with the Director of Enrollment Management, Head of School, Marketing and Communications, Business Office, Board and volunteers, and IT to advance annual fundraising goals and strengthen donor engagement.

Alumni relations is not part of this position’s primary portfolio. The Coordinator may provide limited logistical, communications, data, or event support when alumni engagement overlaps with fundraising and institutional priorities.

Annual Giving and Fundraising Coordination

Coordinate the annual fundraising calendar, including the Annual Fund, giving days, year-end appeals, constituent challenges, and other approved campaigns.

Prepare timelines, mailing lists, draft content, online giving forms, pledge reminders, acknowledgments, and campaign reports.

Coordinate fundraising communications with Marketing and Communications to ensure accuracy, brand consistency, and appropriate audience segmentation.

Track campaign progress, participation, donor retention, and outstanding pledges; prepare regular updates for school leadership.

Support the Head of School and volunteer leaders with donor research, meeting preparation, briefing materials, follow-up, and stewardship actions.

Assist with prospect identification and maintain organized donor and prospect pipelines.

Grants and Community Partnerships

Research prospective foundations, businesses, and community partners whose interests align with CSS priorities.

Maintain a grants calendar, proposal files, supporting documentation, deadlines, and reporting requirements.

Draft letters of inquiry, grant proposals, sponsorship requests, and grant reports for review and approval.

Coordinate with faculty, program leaders, and the Business Office to collect program narratives, budgets, outcomes, and required documentation.

Track awarded grants and sponsorship benefits to ensure timely reporting and fulfillment.

Donor Stewardship and Communications

Coordinate timely, accurate, and personalized gift acknowledgments and donor recognition.

Maintain stewardship schedules and help prepare impact updates, donor reports, proposals, invitations, and recognition materials.

Assist with donor correspondence and follow-up on behalf of the Head of School and school leadership.

Help create a welcoming, responsive donor experience across giving channels and school events.

Provide limited support for alumni communications or engagement activities when they directly support philanthropic goals.

Coordinate logistics for the school’s signature fundraising event and other donor cultivation or stewardship gatherings.

Maintain event timelines, budgets, registrations, sponsorship records, guest lists, vendor details, volunteer assignments, and follow-up tasks.

Work with volunteer committees and school colleagues to ensure clear roles and effective execution.

Prepare post-event reports that summarize revenue, expenses, participation, donor follow-up, and recommendations.

Advancement Operations and Data

Collaborate with the database or advancement services function to maintain accurate constituent, gift, pledge, prospect, and interaction records.

Help ensure gifts are processed and acknowledged promptly and reconciled regularly with the Business Office.

Produce donor lists, campaign reports, participation reports, pledge reports, and other routine advancement analysis.

Maintain organized electronic records, standard operating procedures, calendars, and confidential donor files.

Protect donor privacy and follow school policies, gift acceptance practices, donor intent, and internal controls.

Support online giving platforms, event registration tools, and constituent email lists.

Partner with Admissions, Enrollment, Marketing and Communications, the Business Office, faculty, and school leadership on coordinated campaigns and community engagement.

Attend appropriate school meetings and events to remain informed about the CSS mission, programs, priorities, and community.

Support trustees and volunteers participating in fundraising activities by providing materials, schedules, and follow-up.

Represent CSS professionally in interactions with donors, families, vendors, foundations, and community partners.

Perform other duties consistent with the scope of the position.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Two or more years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit administration, project coordination, communications, events, or a related field.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and customer-service skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage calendars, records, deadlines, and multiple projects.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace and comfort learning database, online giving, and event platforms.
• Discretion, integrity, and commitment to maintaining confidential donor and constituent information.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and campaign activities.

Preferred

• Experience in an independent school, higher education, or mission-driven nonprofit setting.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT or another fundraising CRM.
• Grant-writing, donor stewardship, annual giving, or fundraising-event experience.
• Familiarity with the Colorado Springs philanthropic and business community.

Measures of Success

• Timely and accurate execution of the annual fundraising calendar.
• Growth in Annual Fund participation, donor retention, and stewardship completion.
• Accurate donor records, acknowledgments, reports, and Business Office reconciliation support.
• Well-managed grants, sponsorships, fundraising events, and follow-up.
• Strong collaboration with Enrollment Management, the Head of School, Marketing and Communications, the Business Office, and volunteers.

This is a full-time exempt position. Range is between $65,000 and $80,000 based on experience, knowledge, and skills. Position comes with a comprehensive benefits package.

Working at CSS

The Colorado Springs School is a college-preparatory, independent day school serving students from Prekindergarten through Grade 12. CSS employees contribute to a close-knit community grounded in student centered learning, meaningful relationships, and the school’s mission and strategic priorities.

The Colorado Springs School is committed to creating an inclusive community and provides equal employment

opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.