REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President, Major and Planned Gifts
POSITION SUMMARY: The Philanthropy Coordinator provides essential administrative and operational support for fundraising, stewardship, events, and donor operations. This role streamlines processes, supports donor communications and solicitations, and enhances team coordination—ensuring timely, thoughtful donor engagement.
The ideal candidate is proactive, resourceful, and team-oriented. They communicate clearly, think critically, and take initiative to improve workflows. Comfort with tools like mail merges, donor databases (e.g., Tessitura), and shared calendars is essential, along with a mindset of curiosity and professionalism. This role joins the SLSO at an exciting time, as the organization reopens the expanded Powell Hall and prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB: Individual Giving Team & Departmental Support •Supports the department by preparing mail merges for donor communications and solicitations, ensuring deadlines are met and documentation is organized •Manages the team calendar and departmental priorities, helping advance initiatives and maintain internal timelines •Monitors the philanthropy inbox and ensure team materials and supplies are stocked •Supports internal/external meetings through agendas, note-taking, and on-site assistance
Leadership Support •Provides scheduling, materials prep, and donor support for the CPO •Coordinates philanthropy-related requests between the Philanthropy team and Executive Office, ensuring timely communication and follow-through
Donor Operations & Data Management •Serves as liaison between Philanthropy Operations and donor-facing staff—helping manage, refine, and finalize donor data for key projects •Update donor records, track meetings and events, and document donor engagement •Supports the post-gift process by helping coordinate acknowledgment letters and related gift communications
Stewardship & Event Support •Available to support donor events through planning, prep, and on-site logistics •Serves as point person for coordinating concert underwriting selections each season •Helps team fulfill donor benefits and stewardship touches, including mailings, cross organization coordination, and follow-up
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: •Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience •2–3+ years in nonprofit (preferred), administrative, or customer service roles •Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) •Experience with customer / donor databases •Strong organizational and time management skills •Excellent communication skills with a professional, collaborative approach •Ability to handle confidential information with discretion •Positive and flexible in a fast-paced, evolving environment
The SLSO embraces a world in which every life is enriched through the power of music. We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion and access where employees can grow and thrive. The collective sum of our employees’ individual differences, experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and talent are represented in our culture, innovative spirit and the SLSO’s achievements. In recruiting for our team, we welcome candidates’ uniqueness in culture, social identities, expression, and viewpoints. The SLSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 144th year with the 2023/2024 season and its fifth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary storytelling, and collaborative spirit have created stronger connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchest...ra, founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970, is the region’s premiere training orchestra for high school and college students.
In March 2023, the SLSO broke ground on a 65,000-square foot expansion and renovation of the orchestra’s home, Powell Hall—the first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center building since it became the SLSO's permanent home in 1968. Led by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the project will transform the audience and artistic experience while protecting Powell Hall's historic character and celebrated acoustics, creating a state-of-the art center for community, innovation, and powerful music experiences. While construction is underway, the SLSO will perform throughout the community. The revitalized Powell Hall will open in 2025 to coincide with the building's centennial.
An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic collaborations with individuals and organizations locally and around the world. Orchestra musicians share dozens of education and community performances throughout the region each year at medical facilities, places of worship, community centers, and schools. For 20 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer?series has highlighted today’s leading musical voices through innovative performances in collaboration with, and reaction to the exhibitions at, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO has served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for more than 45 years. The orchestra also continues to foster new artistic collaborations, including a chamber music collaboration with The Sheldon in 2023/2024, as well as regular partnerships with The Muny, The Big Muddy Dance Company, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and others. Beyond the St. Louis region, the SLSO's impact is realized through Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that includes a robust online education platform with curriculum materials, interactive programs, activities, and learning opportunities for all ages.
Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more accessible, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Building on its momentum, the SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org.
