Philanthropy Engagement Associate

LSS of South Dakota; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$600 hiring bonus (external candidates

PTO Frontload up to 24 hours

8 Paid Holidays

401(k) 3% match

BCBS medical plans with HSA/FSA

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services is seeking a Philanthropy Engagement Associate to strengthen donor relationships and design impactful engagement and event experiences in South Dakota. You will lead fundraising activities, coordinate donor outreach, and collaborate with senior leaders to drive annual goals.

The role emphasizes strategic stewardship, data-driven engagement, and hands-on training in donor management tools, aligning with LSS mission and values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 3–5 years in donor engagement, fundraising, event management, or nonprofit operations.
• Experience with donor management systems (Raiser’s Edge or Bloomerang) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver strategic engagement, stewardship, and event experiences.
• Lead planning and execution of fundraising and stewardship events.
• Coordinate donor engagement activities with leadership and communications teams.
• Develop engagement metrics and dashboards to inform strategy.
• Support donor acquisition, retention, and annual fundraising goals.

Skills

Donor engagement

Event planning

Email marketing

Digital analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, event management, hospitality, or business

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Bloomerang

Job description

Join a Mission-Driven Team

'Are you passionate about promoting safety, stability, and connection for children and youth in South Dakota?'

You Belong at Lutheran Social Services

We believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and nurturing family. Our priority is to support and empower families, ensuring children are at place where they can heal, grow, and reach their full potential.

Our values form the foundation of who we are and how we operate. At LSS, we prioritize a whole-person, family-centered approach to care within a continuum of services.

HOURS

Full-Time, Exempt, occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.

SALARY

Dependent on experience and qualifications.

TRAVEL

Travel is required. Mileage reimbursement.

BENEFITS

LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• $600 hiring bonus* external candidates only
• PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) 3% match
• Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options, with HSA & FSA options
• Dental and Vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family
• Career development opportunities, hands-on training, and mentorship
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Philanthropy Engagement Associate strengthens donor relationships by designing and delivering strategic engagement, stewardship, and event experiences that deepen connection. This role leads the planning and execution of fundraising and stewardship events, coordinates donor engagement activities, and partners with the Vice President of Mission Advancement and the Director of Marketing & Communications to create compelling donor centric communications. This position leads donor acquisition efforts, enhances donor retention, and contributes significantly to the annual fundraising goals of the organization thus playing a critical role in carrying out the LSS mission.

• Demonstrated expertise in event planning, strong organizational and time management abilities, and coordination of volunteers and donor centered stewardship.
• Competence in email-marketing platforms, direct-mail processes, and digital analytics for engagement metrics.
• Proficient in donor management and fundraising software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang) for data entry, reporting, segmentation, and maintaining data integrity.
• Ability to develop and interpret engagement metrics and dashboards to inform strategy.
• Solid understanding of fundraising industry practices, including donor acquisition, stewardship, and retention best practices.
• Manage small group and virtual engagement opportunities, including tours, impact briefings, and program touchpoints.
• Lead or support signature events, ensuring strong logistics, volunteer coordination, and donor centered stewardship.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, event management, hospitality, business, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in donor engagement, fundraising, event management, communications, or nonprofit operations.
• Previous experience supervising and coordinating volunteers preferred.
• Prior experience using donor management systems (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang) preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a valid auto-insurance, a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one for approved driver status., is required.
• Must successfully complete all agency background checks, which include checks for criminal convictions, behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, and drug or sex crimes, is required.

LSS Expectations & Core Values

At LSS, we are committed to upholding the following values in all aspects of our work:

• Compassionate – We engage with empathy and provide non-judgmental services.
• Appreciative – We recognize and develop the strengths of our clients and employees.
• Respectful – We build professional and collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.
• Ethical – We uphold high standards of integrity and quality in all actions.
• Strategic – We anticipate and respond proactively to community needs.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Please note: As part of our hiring process and to meet accreditation requirements, applicants will be asked to complete a prescreen questionnaire.

*Hiring bonus available to external candidates only.