Advancement & Communications Associate

Description
Join a mission-driven team supporting and empowering future college graduates!

Who We Are
At Steppingstone, our mission is to prepare students from under-resourced communities to access, navigate and graduate from college.

In Boston we provide academic, social‑emotional, and college readiness — starting in fifth grade and continuing all the way through to college graduation.

Nationally, through the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA), Steppingstone connects the people, practices, and innovations essential for eliminating barriers to college and career success.

Who You Are
The Advancement & Communications Associate role is a strong fit for an emerging professional who is passionate about educational equity, has an interest in fundraising, communications, and event planning, and is adept with data and administrative support. The ideal candidate will have the skills to excel in a role that blends meticulous database management and financial reconciliation with administrative support, and will thrive on a collaborative team dedicated to driving philanthropic growth and engagement.

Start Date: July 2026

Salary: $60,000

Responsibilities
Data Management and Administration

Manage the database, including gift entry, donor acknowledgments, receipts, and letters of intent

Ensure accurate and timely handling and recording of gifts and related documentation, including administering pledge reminder schedule and invoices

Use Salesforce to track constituent notes and maintain all mailing and email addresses to remain current

Create donor listings for the Annual Giving Report and reconcile with the Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Support front‑line fundraising efforts with research using WealthEngine

Work with the Chief Financial & Operations Officer to reconcile gifts on a quarterly basis and in preparation for the annual audit

Additional administrative support as needed

Communications

Use HubSpot to update digital communications assets and help with contact data clean‑up

Create all mailing lists as needed. Assist in the preparation and mailing of all Advancement communications

Provide support to the Senior Director of Communications with social media, website updates, and printed materials

Organize and maintain Advancement and Communications digital storage using Google Drive, HubSpot, and Canva

Event Support

Provide assistance for events, including the Gala, Appreciation Party, fundraising receptions, Alumni Reunion, etc.

Support logistics related to professional photography and videography; occasionally take photos of programming and events informally

Prepare materials such as slides, handouts, and nametags

Coordinate Board meetings logistics

Maintain the Advancement calendar

Requirements
Required Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and college access

Experience working with individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences

Experience as an effective team member in a changing environment; ability to manage multiple projects and priorities

Strong relationship‑building and group facilitation skills across differing stakeholders; resolves conflicts constructively and respectfully

Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and independent problem‑solving capabilities

Clear written and verbal communication style; ability to adapt communication style to different audiences

Must be familiar with Salesforce; HubSpot also preferred

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

Strong customer service orientation

Demonstrated proficiency with data and financial information, strong ability to create reports and spreadsheets using a database

Education And Work Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required

1–2 years of relevant experience preferred

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to work at a desk, communicate information, move about the office, operate office equipment and utilize a computer for extended periods of time.

Pursuant to the ADA, Steppingstone will provide reasonable services and accommodation(s) to employees with qualified disabilities in order to perform the essential functions of their employment, except when doing so would be unduly disruptive and/or result in undue hardship to the organization.

Schedule
This position will be a hybrid role with two days in the office and three days remote, with some flexibility around work hours. A $500 home office set‑up stipend will be provided upon hire, followed by quarterly stipends of $50. Laptops are provided to each employee to enhance the hybrid experience.

Employee Benefits

Generous paid time off (over 8 weeks total, as outlined below)

15 days PTO

2 days Discretionary Time Off

5 wellness days

12.5 holidays

2 weeks paid office closure (the weeks before Labor Day and New Year’s Day)

$500 Home Office Set‑up Stipend; plus $50 quarterly

Health, Dental and Vision coverage

Life, Short‑Term and Long‑Term disability insurance

Healthcare Reimbursement Account Plan (HRA)

Pet Insurance

Flexible Schedule

Retirement Plan

Tuition & Professional Development reimbursement

Flexible Spending Accounts – Health and Dependent Care

Pre‑tax Transportation Plan (Transit & Parking)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Membership to the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA)

Steppingstone Core Values

Mission First – Keep Scholars front and center in all we do.

Lead with Inclusion – Elevate every voice, consider every perspective.

Stronger Together – Team up and trust each other.

Own It – Act with integrity, stay accountable, and be transparent.

Learn. Grow. Innovate. – Embrace change, drive creativity, and never stop learning.

Steppingstone is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any individual, employee, or application for employment in accordance with law.

A candidate will be found unsuitable for employment with Steppingstone and automatically disqualified if they use threatening language or behavior, either written, verbal, or physical, during any phase of the interview process.

Steppingstone will never require lie detector tests or other assessments designed to gauge the honesty of an applicant's responses in accordance with Massachusetts law.

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