Home > Advancement Director October 21, 2025 STEM Next Opportunity Fund seeks an experienced Advancement Director to lead national fundraising and partnership growth. This role will drive new corporate and foundation support to expand STEM opportunities for youth through afterschool and summer programs. Position Title: Advancement Director Position Type: Full-Time/Exempt Reports to: Senior Director of Philanthropic and Strategic Partnerships Location: Remote Position About STEM Next STEM Next Opportunity Fund (STEM Next) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making STEM learning more engaging, effective, and widely available to all youth across the nation through afterschool and summer programs. With more than a decade of experience and a network of afterschool leaders in every state, STEM Next has reached more than 12.5 million youth and supported more than 390,000 afterschool and summer program educators. Through its signature efforts —the Million Girls Moonshot and the Institute for a STEM Ready America—STEM Next is helping millions more young people build the curiosity, confidence, and skills they need for whatever comes next. About the Role The STEM Next Advancement Director is a highly entrepreneurial and results-driven senior fundraising professional whose core mandate is new institutional business acquisition and revenue diversification. The primary measure of success is the dramatic expansion of the funding base through the identification and closing of new, six- and seven-figure partnerships with corporations and private foundations not currently supporting the organization. Serving as the primary driver of the new business pipeline, the Director will proactively prospect, qualify, and prioritize a robust list of high-capacity institutional donors with strong alignment to STEM education and workforce development. This role requires exceptional networking to open doors and secure pivotal introductory meetings with decision-makers, and the Director will lead high-value solicitations and negotiations to close major initial gifts. This involves directing the development of highly persuasive proposals, pitch decks, and concept briefs that effectively translate STEM Next’s programmatic needs into compelling funding opportunities. Crucially, the Director is accountable for the rapid conversion rate of new prospects and seamlessly transitioning newly acquired partners to the dedicated stewardship team following the initial gift, ensuring the Director maintains focus on continuous pipeline growth and new market penetration. A successful Advancement Director will work and communicate collaboratively and effectively across the organization and with outside partners. Qualifications A minimum of 5 years of experience and fundraising track record with increasing levels of responsibility within a nonprofit, association, or academic organization, operating at or above a $5 million annual budget, which generates its revenue through fundraising activities Bachelor’s degree required Exceptional understanding of fundraising and sponsorship concepts and processes Demonstrable track record of personally soliciting and securing at least 6-figure sponsorships and grants, and examples of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts of over $100,000 Ability to develop and deliver collaborative, thoughtful, and compelling grant proposals, pitch decks and concept briefs in a fast-moving environment A practical understanding of nonprofit programs, and administration, and what makes successful nonprofit organizations thrive Background in STEM education and/or the out-of-school-time and youth development field preferred An innovative, entrepreneurial and problem-solving mindset An eagerness to develop and lead new fundraising initiatives/strategies Innate ability to connect and collaborate in an agile team-focused environment; a thinker/worker/doer mindset Excellent written and oral presentation and pitch communications skills Computer literacy, including experience and proficiency with databases and office productivity software Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and complete projects successfully as planned The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the employer’s needs and the position’s requirements change. Salary and Benefits The salary range for qualified candidates is $120,000-$160,000, depending upon experience. STEM Next offers generous paid time off, sick leave and federal holidays. STEM Next provides a comprehensive set of benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, 401(k) Retirement Plan, and Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account. Remote Work Location and Time Zone Requirements This is a remote position that requires the employee to maintain their primary residence and work exclusively within the United States. The employee’s official working time zone for this role will be the time zone of their primary U.S. residence. The employee is required to maintain a consistent work schedule based on their local time zone and must be available for team collaboration and meetings during the specified core business hours, which will be communicated upon hire. Hiring Requirements As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. To Apply The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM PST on November 14, 2025. Please complete the application form and submit materials here. STEM Next Opportunity Fund is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
