Mission Advancement Officer (Advancement Team)
Full Time
Remote
FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for overtime in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations)
Reporting to: Senior Director of Major Gifts
About the Augustine Institute
The mission of the Augustine Institute is to help others understand, live and share their faith. We accomplish this through our graduate school, media production, and parish programs. We equip Catholics intellectually, spiritually, and pastorally to renew the Church and transform the world for Christ.
Position Summary
The organization’s Mission Advancement bridges the strategic goals of the Institute with the organization’s most generous and engaged donors and cultivates the engagement and support of the Augustine Institute’s key constituencies in order to secure the philanthropic resources required to fulfill organization’s spiritual and educational mission.
The Mission Advancement Officer will exercise a high degree of strategic thinking, creativity, and independence and will play a pivotal role in securing philanthropic support for the organization through work with individuals in the Southeast region (AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, TN, KY, VA, WV, NC, SC, FL) This position will be responsible for developing and managing a gift portfolio that aligns with the Augustine Institute’s fundraising goals, strategic priorities and Catholic theological mindset.
The Mission Advancement Officer will build and manage a portfolio of gift prospects and donors, cultivate relationships with alumni and friends of organization, and act as an ambassador and representative of the Augustine Institute in the Southeast region.
Key Responsibilities
1. Donor Portfolio Management
- Research and qualify new prospects with capacity and inclination to give
- Develop individualized engagement and solicitation strategies for each donor
- Track interactions and moves in a CRM system
- Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects (often 75–150 individuals)
2. Relationship Building
- Cultivate long-term relationships with donors through regular, personalized outreach
- Schedule and conduct donor meetings (in-person, virtual, events)
- Understand donor motivations, interests, and giving priorities
- Serve as a primary point of contact between the donor and organization
3. Solicitation & Revenue Generation
- Actively solicit gifts of $10,000+
- Create and present tailored gift proposals aligned with donor interests
- Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals and revenue targets
- Partner with leadership or board members on high-level asks when needed
4. Stewardship & Donor Retention
- Ensure donors receive timely acknowledgments and impact reporting
- Maintain ongoing communication about how their gifts are used
- Design stewardship plans to deepen engagement and increase giving over time
- Identify opportunities for upgrades, renewals, and planned gifts
5. Strategy & Planning
- Contribute to annual fundraising plans and campaign strategies
- Develop “moves management” plans for each donor within the portfolio
- Analyze donor data and giving trends to refine approach
- Collaborate with Advancement Marketing and Communications team on case for support and messaging
6. Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with marketing/communications to align messaging
- Partner with program staff to understand funding needs and impact
- Coordinate with leadership, board members, and volunteers on donor engagement
- Collaborate with advancement or development teams on campaigns and events
7. Reporting & Accountability
- Track progress toward goals (visits, solicitations, dollars raised)
- Maintain accurate donor records and activity reports
- Provide regular updates to leadership on pipeline and performance
- Perform additional duties and responsibilities, as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, with advanced degree or professional certification preferred
- Demonstrated success in fundraising
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with donors
- Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to: establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues; facilitate multiple projects, make decisions, and meet deadlines; manage and motivate volunteers effectively and efficiently; identify problems and develop creative, timely, and efficient solutions; adopt an entrepreneurial approach to developing and executing personal donor engagement strategies; and exercise a high level of discretion in dealing with confidential donor and prospect information.
- Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills, as well as experience with Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge NXT, or similar customer relationship management (CRM) systems
- Position involves travel as well as ability to work evenings and weekends
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Exceptional ability to write and speak in a compelling way about the New Evangelization.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Collaborative interpersonal skills and ability to work as a productive and effective team member.
- Deep commitment to the Augustine Institute’s mission and core values of innovation, collaboration, humility, and excellence.
- Ability to inspire and engender a passion for the Augustine Institute.
- Persistence, resilience, and grit, especially in a fast-paced environment of constant change.
- Experience and comfort with working towards stated metrics and goals.
- Optimistic and empowered attitude.
- Creative and entrepreneurial mindset.
- Solid and comprehensive knowledge of the Catholic faith and Catholic Church practices.
- Passion for fostering relationships that advance the Augustine Institute’s mission.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform typing and use of office equipment, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.