Chief Advancement Officer

Chief Advancement Officer

Seattle, WA

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree.

Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 675+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders.

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and a strategic partner to the CEO and Board of Directors. Building on Rainier Scholars’ strong foundation of community engagement and fundraising success, the CAO provides vision, leadership, and execution for a comprehensive advancement strategy that generates $10 million in philanthropic revenue annually.

The CAO oversees all philanthropic revenue streams and external engagement efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporations, events, and campaigns, and leads the Marketing & Communications function to ensure a cohesive, compelling, and values-aligned organizational voice. This role is both highly strategic and hands‑on, responsible for setting long‑term advancement vision and priorities while personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high‑impact donor and partner relationships.

As Rainier Scholars prepares for continued growth, including potential multi‑year and transformational investments, the CAO will strengthen advancement systems, expand team capacity, and foster a culture of philanthropy that centers scholars, families, alumni, and community. The CAO ensures that advancement strategies are deeply aligned with organizational priorities, equity commitments, and long‑term sustainability.

• Lead and oversee a comprehensive fundraising program, including individual giving, major gifts, foundation and corporate partnerships, special events, and future campaign initiatives.
• Set, lead and achieve ambitious annual fundraising goals approximately $10M, while laying the groundwork for expanded revenue and long‑term financial resilience.
• Personally manage and cultivate a portfolio of current and prospective major and principal gift donors, securing sic and seven figure investments.
• Partner with the CEO on high‑level donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including transformational and capacity‑building gifts.
• Build and sustain a healthy donor pipeline, balancing near‑term revenue goals with long‑term donor development and diversification.
• Provide strategic oversight of Rainier Scholars’ signature fundraising event (the annual Luncheon), ensuring strong financial performance, authentic storytelling and meaningful donor engagement.
• Ensure high‑quality grant strategy, writing, reporting, and funder relationship management, with a focus on long‑term partnership and renewal.

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational vision, strategy, and long‑term sustainability.
• Partner closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to advance fundraising priorities and mobilize board members as active ambassadors, relationship‑builders, and fundraisers.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Board Advancement Committee and related advancement sub‑committees.
• Develop and execute integrated short‑ and long‑term advancement and external relations strategies aligned with Rainier Scholars’ mission, values, and growth goals.
• Lead the evolution of Rainier Scholars’…