Development and Stewardship Specialist

May Institute; Randolph (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Professional development

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

403(b) with employer match

Job summary

May Institute in Randolph, MA is seeking a Development and Stewardship Specialist to lead annual giving, expand the donor base, and strengthen relationships across programs serving autistic individuals and others with special needs. This role sits within the Philanthropy team and blends strategy with donor-centered storytelling.

You will manage campaigns, analyze giving data, and coordinate stewardship efforts to drive participation and revenue, while upholding privacy standards.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience supporting development programs, preferably annual giving and stewardship.
• Committed to supporting individuals with autism and brain injuries across the lifespan.
• Skilled at engaging donors with compelling stories and persuasive messaging.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual giving to grow donor participation, retention, and revenue.
• Maintain and expand a portfolio of donors.
• Manage production of direct mail appeal materials and donor communications.
• Use data tracking and analysis to strengthen campaign results.
• Create tailored donor approaches for segments such as new, lapsed, and monthly donors.
• Support planning and execution of fundraising events and donor cultivation activities.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Data analysis

Communication

Organization

Team collaboration

Privacy compliance

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft Excel

MS Office

Job description

Development and Stewardship Specialist

May Institute, Randolph, MA

Full-Time

Ready to grow a thriving donor community and drive philanthropic impact? Step into a vital role as our Development and Stewardship Specialist, supporting annual fund efforts, expanding our donor base, and strengthening donor relationships to fuel programs that serve autistic individuals and those with other special needs across the lifespan.

As part of our dynamic Philanthropy team, you’ll be the architect behind our annual giving strategies and stewardship efforts—ensuring every donor feels appreciated, informed, and inspired to keep supporting our mission. If you’re detail-oriented, creative, and passionate about making a difference, this is your opportunity to combine strategy with heart.

What You’ll Do:

Annual Fund Leadership

• Develop and implement annual giving to grow donor participation, retention, and revenue.
• Maintain and expand a portfolio of donors.
• Manage all production of direct mail appeal materials, correspondence, and support pieces.
• Use data tracking and analysis to strengthen annual campaign results.
• Create tailored approaches for donor segments such as new, lapsed, and monthly donors.
• Support the planning and execution of May Institute’s flagship fundraising event, peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives, and donor cultivation events, as needed.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Build a year-round stewardship plan with personalized touchpoints, including thank-you calls, milestone recognitions, spotlights, and holiday messages.
• Track and execute customized stewardship for high-priority donors and prospects.
• Oversee development and distribution of donor communications, including the donor newsletter.

Development Operations

• Partner with the Database Manager to ensure accurate gift processing, acknowledgments, and donor recordkeeping.
• Maintain clean and up-to-date donor and prospect mailing lists.
• Adhere to donor communication preferences and data integrity standards.
• Participate in cross-training on Raiser’s Edge to ensure operational redundancy.
• Conduct donor and prospect research, along with data analytics to guide fundraising strategy.

What You Bring:

• Fundraising Expertise: 3+ years of experience supporting development programs, preferably with annual giving and stewardship.
• Mission-Driven: Committed to supporting individuals of all ages with autism and brain injuries.
• Strong Communicator: Skilled at engaging donors with compelling stories and persuasive messaging.
• Data-Savvy: Familiar with donor CRMs (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and segmentation strategies.
• Highly Organized: Able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Collaborative & Flexible: Thrives in a team environment, adapts to changing needs, and values diversity and mutual respect.
• Technically Proficient: Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite with strong Excel capabilities.
• Confidential & Professional: Handles sensitive donor information with discretion and in compliance with privacy standards.

Why Join Us?

• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, holidays, personal days, and a floating birthday holiday.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to support your health.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training and skill-building.
• Supportive Workplace: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Financial Flexibility: Dependent care FSA, short- and long-term disability, and voluntary benefit options.
• Educational Support: Tuition reimbursement and loan repayment programs.
• Retirement Planning: 403(b) with employer match to help you invest in your future.

Compensation: $65,000-$70,000 Annually

Are you ready to inspire generosity, grow a loyal donor community, and help transform lives? Join us and be the bridge between our mission and the people who make it possible.