Development and Events Officer

Lutheran Family and Children's Services; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Lutheran Family and Children's Services in St. Louis, MO is seeking a Development Officer to translate mission into meaningful donor relationships and drive fundraising success.

The role includes planning major fundraising events, managing a portfolio of major gifts and planned giving, and providing leadership in donor engagement strategies to support LFCS programs and services.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and executing fundraising events with budgets and vendor contracts.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work cross-functionally.
• Experience asking for financial support from diverse constituencies.
• Strong relationship-building with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute fundraising special events from start to finish, including budgeting and revenue goals.
• Provide full project management for events.
• Review, negotiate, and manage contracts related to events and development activities.
• Provide guidance and support to internal team members on donor engagement strategies.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift and fundraising prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead identification and engagement of new prospective donors and strengthen long-term donor relationships.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors.
• Directly solicit financial contributions in support of organizational priorities and mission-driven initiatives.

Skills

Fundraising events

Donor relations

Project management

Budgeting

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/marketing/business

Job description

Are you passionate about connecting people to a mission that changes lives?

LFCS is seeking a Development Officer who can translate mission into meaningful donor relationships and help drive fundraising success, donor relationships, and measurable impact across the St. Louis region.

This role manages the planning and execution of key fundraising special events while also managing a portfolio of major gifts, planned-giving, and tax credit donors and prospects.

What You'll Do

• Plan, develop, and execute fundraising special events from start to finish, including budgeting, logistics, and revenue goal achievement
• Provide full project management for events
• Review, negotiate, and manage contracts related to events and development activities
• Provide guidance and support to internal team members on special event execution and donor engagement strategies
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift and fundraising prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Lead the identification and engagement of new prospective donors and strengthen long‑term donor relationships
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with donors, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors
• Directly solicit financial contributions in support of organizational priorities and mission‑driven initiatives

What We're Looking For

• Experience managing fundraising events, project, budgets, and vendor contracts.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work cross functionally.
• Experience in asking for financial support from a variety of constituencies.
• Strong relationship building with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of major gift solicitation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, business, or a related field required.
• Two years' experience in fundraising, major gifts solicitation, or sales preferred.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a direct and visible impact on mission driven work in the St. Louis community. You'll lead meaningful donor relationships, shape fundraising success, and play a key role in generating resources that support critical programs and services.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, pregnancy, creed, genetic information, gender identity, status as protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, LFCS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.