Advancement Officer

AbleLight; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) with 3.5% match

HSA/FSA

Job summary

AbleLight in St. Louis, MO is seeking an Advancement Officer to manage a donor portfolio and cultivate major gifts ($10,000+) across regional markets.

You will build relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and religious organizations, develop acquisition strategies, and support AbleLight’s strategic expansion through engagement and proposals. This hybrid role requires 5–7 years of fundraising experience, a Bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred), CRM proficiency, and willingness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• 5–7 years of fundraising experience with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience with corporate giving, foundation relations, and high net worth engagement preferred.
• Experience with IDD/DD and/or human services organizations is a plus.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, MS Office, and video conferencing.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the market; occasional out-of-state travel.
• Hybrid role with on-site day each week to collaborate with staff.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass a state background check.

Responsibilities

• Manage a donor portfolio of approx. 150 mid- and major-level donors and prospects.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts ranging from four- to seven-figures.
• Identify and engage new high-capacity prospects using network mapping, referrals, events, and research.
• Establish presence in the community through events, faith-based convenings, and civic forums.
• Collaborate with market team members and advisory councils to expand brand visibility and partnerships.
• Document activity in CRM and tracked pipeline forecasting.
• Meet performance metrics related to donor visits, solicitations, and gifts.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Major gifts solicitation

Relationship management

CRM proficiency

Wealth screening tools

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CRM software

Wealth screening tools

Job description

Put your heart to work at AbleLight!

AbleLight is currently hiring an Advancement Officer in St. Louis, MO.

At AbleLight, we believe the world shines brighter when people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential. We pioneer life-changing services that empower the people we serve to thrive.

The Advancement Officer reports to the Manager of Advancement.and focuses on managing donors contributing $2,500 or more across all AbleLight areas, with particular emphasis on cultivating major gifts of $10,000+. This role develops relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and religious organizations while creating acquisition strategies, securing major gifts, analyzing giving metrics, and collaborating on projects aligned with the Advancement Plan. The Officer will drive organizational growth through regional campaign planning, secure revenue in their primary markets and identify new market opportunities supporting AbleLight's strategic expansion initiatives. Maintaining a regular presence in the community is essential to building the AbleLight brand and expanding the donor network.

Requirements:

• Bachelors’ Degree in related field, Masters’ Degree preferred.
• Minimum five (5) to seven (7) years of successful fundraising experience with demonstrated success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience with corporate giving, foundation relations, and high net worth donor engagement preferred.
• Experience with IDD/DD and/or human services organizations is a plus.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite (including video conferencing), and wealth screening tools.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout their market, with occasional out-of-state travel.
• This is a hybrid role with an expectation of regular engagement in local office. The individual in this position should be on- site one pre-determined day each week to collaborate with operational staff.
• Must be able to pass a State Background Check.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Health and Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits starting the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Financial Wellness: 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with 3.5% matching contributions, Health Savings Account, Flexible Savings Account, and Basic Life, AD&D, STD, and LTD insurance.
• Work/Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO), Tuition Reimbursements.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 mid- and major-level donors and prospects (individuals, corporations, foundations, religious institutions) with a focus on donors who have the inclination and capacity to give $2,500 or more annually, with emphasis on cultivating major gifts of $10,000+.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts ranging from four- to seven-figures through tailored engagement strategies.
• Identify and engage new high-capacity prospects using network mapping, referrals, events, and research.
• Establish a consistent and visible presence in the community by attending and hosting networking events, faith-based convenings, civic forums, and philanthropic gatherings.
• Establish a collaborative partnership with market-based team members (Faith Integration Liaison and Area Vice President) to raise brand visibility and develop new community partnerships.
• Collaborate with the local AbleLight Market Advisory Council to expand the reach of AbleLight's mission and message.
• Represent AbleLight at external events as a regional ambassador to raise brand visibility and build new partnerships.
• Convene small-group cultivation opportunities, such as mission briefings, to deepen regional engagement with prospective donors/supporters.
• Design and present compelling funding proposals that align donor priorities with AbleLight's strategic initiatives (supposed by grant writers).
• Evaluate and recommend optimal vehicles and philanthropic instruments.
• Document all activity in CRM and leverage its features for tracking, workflow, wealth screening, and portfolio optimization.
• Meet performance metrics related to donor visits, solicitations, and secured gifts as established by organizational leadership.
• decisions and results, and promoting our vision, mission, and values.
• Contribute donor insights and regional intelligence to the Senior Director of Advancement to inform broader fundraising strategy.
• Support organizational revenue goals by aligning regional fundraising activity with strategic priorities and campaign needs.
• Collaborate with Senior Director of Advancement and market AVP to identify, cultivate, and engage community partners, organizations, and individuals with a focus on enhancing AbleLight's brand while driving philanthropic and operations growth.
• Facilitate engagement between high-net-worth donors/corporate partners and AbleLight's executive leadership.
• Maintain awareness of business, philanthropic, and social sector trends to strengthen prospect engagement and institutional relevance.
• Collaborate on short-term funding initiatives and participate in planning discussions to ensure frontline alignment with long-term goals.
• Report on major gift portfolio performance and contribution to pipeline forecasting.

BLC123