Stewardship & Campaign Officer

Missouri-Botanical-Garden; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Botanical Garden seeks an advancement professional to join the Institutional Advancement division as Stewardship & Campaign Officer. This role supports major gifts, corporate and foundation giving and reports to the Director, Major and Institutional Giving.

The officer designs and delivers stewardship initiatives that demonstrate impact and foster donor loyalty. Collaborating with leadership and cross-functional teams, the role advances donor engagement from cultivation to stewardship,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of experience in advancement, fundraising, or related field
• Demonstrated success in building donor relationships and contributing to fundraising outcomes
• Strong strategic thinking aligned with stewardship activities and fundraising goals
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute complex projects
• Experience planning donor cultivation, recognition, and engagement initiatives
• Excellent written and verbal communication and collaboration across teams

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements tailored donor engagement opportunities to deepen relationships with major donors and institutional partners
• Serves as an ambassador for the Garden, engaging guests and stakeholders to reinforce philanthropic commitment
• Designs donor experiences (private tours, curated visits, briefings) aligned with funding priorities and campaigns
• Coordinates special touches for corporate, foundation, and institutional funders to reinforce investment value
• Supports campaign activities, donor strategy, proposals, and gift agreements
• Manages inquiries, logistics, and donor experience to ensure responsiveness and professionalism
• Collaborates across Institutional Advancement, Events, Communications & Marketing, and program teams
• Leverages donor tour insights to coordinate targeted correspondence and membership upgrades
• Coordinates stewardship initiatives linking donors with mission delivery and research/conservation efforts
• Tracks and manages prospects through identification, stewardship, solicitation, and gift acceptance
• Assists with event coverage and acts as back-up for donor phone line and inbox
• Adheres to policies, meets attendance guidelines, and promotes teamwork and respect

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Donor cultivation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Management, Business Management, Marketing, Communications or related field

Equivalent combination of skills, education and experience

Tools

Tessitura CRM

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America

Job Description

Summary:The Missouri Botanical Garden is seeking an advancement professional to join the Institutional Advancement division as Stewardship & CampaignOfficer. This role is an integral member of the fundraising team supporting individual, corporate, and foundation giving, and reports to the Director, Major and Institutional Giving.The Stewardship & CampaignOfficerplays a critical role in advancing a culture of philanthropy by deepening donor engagement and strengthening long-term relationships with the Garden’s most valued supporters. This position designs and delivers strategic, relationship-centered stewardship initiatives thatdemonstratethe impact of giving, inspire continued investment, and enhance donor loyalty.Through highly curated experiences, personalized engagement strategies, and thoughtful collaboration with advancement colleagues, this position supports the full donor lifecycle, from meaningful cultivation to long‑term stewardship, ensuring donors feel connected, informed, and inspired by their partnership with the Garden. This work directly contributes to increased donor retention, giving growth, and sustained philanthropic support.

This position collaborates closely with advancement leadership, major gift officers, and cross-functional partners to align donor experiences with institutional priorities and fundraising goals. Exceptional communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate donor insights into meaningful engagement opportunities are essential.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advancesdonor cultivation strategies by designing and implementing tailored engagement opportunities that deepen relationships with major donors, prospects, and institutional partners.
• Servesas an ambassador for the Garden, learning Garden history and lore, to engage special guests, community organizations, and other stakeholders through meaningful interactions that strengthen philanthropic commitment.
• Designsand executeshigh-impact donor experiences, including private tours, curated visits, and special briefings, that align donor interests with funding priorities and campaign initiatives.
• Translatesimpact into engagement, coordinating special touches for corporate, foundation and institutional funders, such as site visits, and programmatic experiences that reinforce the value of investment.
• Working with the office of the SVP of Institutional Advancement, supportscampaign activities by contributing to donor strategy,assistingwith proposals and gift agreements, andfacilitatingmeaningful engagement opportunities for campaign donors and prospects.
• Ensuresexcellence in donor experience by managing inquiries, coordinatinglogistics, andmaintaininga high levelof responsiveness, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Collaboratesacross departments, includingInstitutionalAdvancement, Events, Communications & Marketing, and program teams, to ensure a cohesive, high-quality donor experience that reflects institutional priorities.
• In coordination with Major Gift Officers and Upper Level Giving team, leveragesintel from donor tours to coordinate specialized correspondence and initiatives focused on membership upgrades.
• Coordinatesinnovative stewardship initiatives that connect donors directly with mission delivery, including fellowships, research programs, and conservation efforts.
• Coordinates, tracksandmanagescampaign prospects through identification, stewardship,solicitationand gift acceptance.
• Supportsrecognition and reporting efforts that reinforce donor impact, including listings in annualreport, naming opportunities, and sponsor benefits.
• Assistswith event coverage at other Advancement donor and corporate events, as needed; Actsas back-up to donor phone line and email inbox when needed.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres toestablishedpolicies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and respect within the division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Communication:Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; writes clearly and presents informationaccurately; speaks professionally and responds well toquestions; supportspositivevisitor relations.
• Collaboration:Demonstratesteamwork andpromotesrespect in the workplace; engages in problem solving and group initiatives; cooperates in implementing proceduresandprocess improvements; strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability:Demonstratescommitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; effectivelyprioritizes,troubleshootsand takesappropriate actions; follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality,and safetystandards; strives toproactivelyaddressvisitorand internal colleagues’concerns.
• Problem Solving:Identifiesand resolves problems; includessupervisorbeforetaking actionas necessary; recommends solutions,demonstratescreativity and resourcefulness;exhibitssound andaccuratejudgmentin decision making process; includesappropriate peoplein makingdecisions.
• Stewardship:Promotesand adheres to sustainability,safetyand security protocols; fosters a culture of respect,diversityand inclusion;demonstrateseffective andprudentuse of Garden resources; maximizescontributions during work hours.

QualificationsandExperience:

• Bachelor’s degree and threeto fiveyears of relevant experience in advancement, fundraising, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in building and strengthening donor relationships and contributing to fundraising outcomes.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align stewardship activities with broader fundraising goals.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, execute complex projects, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Experience planning and executing donor cultivation, recognition, and engagement initiatives.
• Professional maturity, discretion, anda high levelof accountability and integrity.
• Commitment to the mission of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the role of philanthropy in advancing that mission.
• Flexibility to support events outside of standard business hours, as needed.
• Adheres to all health and safety policies/procedures.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees,volunteersand guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior tohiredate. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel isnecessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel isrequired.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilitiesrequired.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree inNon-profit Management,Business Management,Marketing,Communicationsora related fieldrequired.
• An equivalent combination of skills,educationand experience may be considered.

Communication and Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, donor-centered narratives that convey impact and inspire continued giving.

Mathematical Skills:

• Basic mathskills;requiresability to perform addition, subtraction,multiplicationand division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniquestoproblem resolution.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediate to advanced skill level using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programsrequired; strong working knowledge of Outlook features (specifically the electronic calendar feature)requiredand PowerPoint preferred.
• Experience working with CRM systems (preferably Tessitura) and analyzing donor data to inform engagement strategies.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Mustpossessand maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Physical Demands:

• Requires ability to make frequent telephone calls and routine in-person visits to the organization’s current and future corporate donors and prospects.
• Ability toutilizecomputer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of thework day
• Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds when transporting supplies andassistingconstituents; occasional hands-on participation with event set-upsrequired.
• May berequiredto perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stool ladders, etc.).
• Ability to move up and down stairwells (multiple MBG buildings have stairs); walk about facilityfrequentlythroughout workday; frequent standing,reachingand stooping - 25% or more of the workday may be spent standing on feet.
• Ability to drive (use of surrey to conduct constituent tours and meetings).
• Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors.
• Quiet indoor office setting;office environment withmultiple staff within the department,operatestandard office equipment to include computer, copier, fax machines, and other equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e.,humid conditions,temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity togeneral public, in a safe and friendly manner, answeringgeneral questionsregardingthe questionsregardinghorticulture collection, Garden’s operations, events, facilities, etc.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Other Institutional Advancement Division staff aswell as cross-divisional staff.
• High profiledonors tothe Garden.
• Colleagues in other non-profit organizations.
• Director, Major and Institutional Giving