Stewardship & Campaign Officer

We are seeking an advancement professional to join our Institutional Advancement division as Stewardship & Campaign Officer. This role is an integral member of the fundraising team supporting individual, corporate, and foundation giving, reporting to the Director, Major and Institutional Giving.

About the Role

The Stewardship & Campaign Officer plays 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 that demonstrate the impact of giving, inspire continued investment, and enhance donor loyalty. Through highly curated experiences, personalized engagement strategies, and thoughtful collaboration with advancement colleagues, this role 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.

Responsibilities

• Advance donor cultivation strategies by designing and implementing tailored engagement opportunities that deepen relationships with major donors, prospects, and institutional partners.
• Serve as 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.
• Design and execute high-impact donor experiences, including private tours, curated visits, and special briefings, that align donor interests with funding priorities and campaign initiatives.
• Translate impact into engagement by coordinating special touches for corporate, foundation, and institutional funders, such as site visits and programmatic experiences that reinforce the value of investment.
• Support campaign activities by contributing to donor strategy, assisting with proposals and gift agreements, and facilitating meaningful engagement opportunities for campaign donors and prospects.
• Ensure excellence in donor experience by managing inquiries, coordinating logistics, and maintaining a high level of responsiveness, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Collaborate across departments, including Institutional Advancement, Events, Communications & Marketing, and program teams, to ensure a cohesive, high-quality donor experience that reflects institutional priorities.
• Leverage intel from donor tours to coordinate specialized correspondence and initiatives focused on membership upgrades in coordination with Major Gift Officers and the Upper Level Giving team.
• Coordinate innovative stewardship initiatives that connect donors directly with mission delivery, including fellowships, research programs, and conservation efforts.
• Coordinate, track, and manage campaign prospects through identification, stewardship, solicitation, and gift acceptance.
• Support recognition and reporting efforts that reinforce donor impact, including listings in the annual report, naming opportunities, and sponsor benefits.
• Assist with event coverage at Advancement donor and corporate events as needed; act as backup to the donor phone line and email inbox when required.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures, including the Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines, and Department Policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Communication: Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; writes clearly and presents information accurately; speaks professionally and responds well to questions; supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration: Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; engages in problem solving and group initiatives; cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability: Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptability to changes; effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots, and takes appropriate actions; follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; strives to proactively address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems; includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision-making; includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship: Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety, and security protocols; fosters a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion; demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; maximizes contributions during work hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and three to five years 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, and a high level of 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.
• Adherence to all health and safety policies and procedures.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Management, Business Management, Marketing, Communications, or a related field required. An equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, donor-centered narratives that convey impact and inspire continued giving.
• Basic math skills; ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, calculate percentages, and decimals.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Intermediate to advanced skill level using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). Experience working with CRM systems (preferably Tessitura) and analyzing donor data to inform engagement strategies.

Physical Demands

• Ability to make frequent telephone calls and routine in-person visits to corporate donors and prospects.
• Ability to utilize a computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the workday.
• Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds when transporting supplies and assisting constituents; occasional hands-on participation with event set-ups required.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (e.g., step stools, ladders).
• Ability to move up and down stairwells (multiple buildings have stairs); walk about the facility frequently throughout the workday; frequent standing, reaching, and stooping—25% or more of the workday may be spent standing on feet.
• Ability to drive (use of a surrey to conduct constituent tours and meetings).
• Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors.

Work Environment

• Quiet indoor office setting; office environment with multiple staff within the department, operating standard office equipment (computer, copier, fax machines, etc.).
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (e.g., humid conditions, temperatures over 100°F as well as below 0°F, rain, snow, and other inclement weather).
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public, answering questions regarding horticulture collections, Garden operations, events, and facilities in a safe and friendly manner.

The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to the hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.