Peggy R. Mcconnell Arts Center Of Worthington
Shaker Historical Society - Development Manager
Peggy R. Mcconnell Arts Center Of Worthington, Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States
Shaker Historical Society
seeks a
Development Manager .
The Development Manager is a key leader in advancing the Shaker Historical Society’s mission and growing its fundraising capacity. This is the organization’s first dedicated development staff position, taking primary responsibility for cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, managing membership program, securing corporate sponsorships, coordinating fundraising events, and supporting grant opportunities. While basic development infrastructure exists, this role will help professionalize systems, strengthen relationships, and increase organizational revenue to ensure long-term sustainability.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Manager works closely with staff and the Board to engage donors, members, and community partners. This role is ideal for a proactive, relationship-driven professional comfortable in a small nonprofit environment where creativity, strategic thinking, and teamwork are essential.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities:
Individual Giving & Membership
Develop and implement stewardship plans and personalized engagement strategies for donors and members
Partner with the Executive Director and Board on donor solicitations, and will directly solicit gifts
Manage membership renewals and implement strategies to increase retention and engagement
Support the annual fund campaign through donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Manage donor and member communications, including thank-you letters and tax acknowledgements, impact updates, and recurring giving outreach
Develop sponsorship materials (proposals, benefits packages, recognition plans) in collaboration with the Executive Director
Track sponsorship commitments and donor support in Little Green Light and coordinate tax receipts or thank-you communications
Use event participation and sponsorship opportunities to cultivate relationships with donors, members, and community partners
Research local, regional, and national grant opportunities from foundations, government agencies, and corporate philanthropic programs
Draft and submit grant proposals in collaboration with the Executive Director
Track reporting deadlines and assist with assembling necessary data and narratives
Donor & Prospect Stewardship
Maintain regular, relationship-building communication with high-level donors and prospects through emails, letters, phone calls, and meetings
Prepare donor research profiles and meeting briefs for the Executive Director and Board members
Develop small cultivation events or behind-the-scenes experiences to deepen donor engagement
CRM & Data Management
Oversee the donor database (Little Green Light) to ensure accurate records of donations, interactions, and acknowledgments
Generate reports to support appeals, board updates, grant proposals, and stewardship efforts
Track moves management activity and progress toward fundraising goals
Events Management
Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events in collaboration with the Operations & Events Manager and Board Development Committee
Identify, solicit, and secure corporate and community sponsorships for events and special initiatives
Skills:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable communicating with donors and presenting to small groups
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially with tracking information and deadlines
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a small-staff environment and work independently when needed
Strong interpersonal skills to engage donors, supporters, and community partners
Familiarity with donor databases/CRMs and proficiency with Google Workspace
Qualifications:
3-5 years of experience in nonprofit development; arts, culture, or museum fundraising experience strongly preferred
Comfort with occasional evening/weekend commitments for programs and events
Experience working with groups of diverse ages, races, cultures, abilities, and backgrounds
Ability to climb stairs within the museum’s historic building; able to lift 20 lbs
Reliable access to transportation for donor meetings, cultivation, and development-related activities
Medical, dental, and vision insurance fully covered by employer
Generous paid time off, including paid holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Partial work-from-home schedule and paid 1-hour lunch breaks
SIMPLE IRA with 3% match; Eligible after 1 year of employment and over the age of 21
$250 health-related allowance (e.g. gym membership, fitness classes)
Annual bonus procurable based on individual performance and museum budget
Posted: December 16, 2025 Deadline: January 12, 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr
seeks a
Development Manager .
The Development Manager is a key leader in advancing the Shaker Historical Society’s mission and growing its fundraising capacity. This is the organization’s first dedicated development staff position, taking primary responsibility for cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, managing membership program, securing corporate sponsorships, coordinating fundraising events, and supporting grant opportunities. While basic development infrastructure exists, this role will help professionalize systems, strengthen relationships, and increase organizational revenue to ensure long-term sustainability.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Manager works closely with staff and the Board to engage donors, members, and community partners. This role is ideal for a proactive, relationship-driven professional comfortable in a small nonprofit environment where creativity, strategic thinking, and teamwork are essential.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities:
Individual Giving & Membership
Develop and implement stewardship plans and personalized engagement strategies for donors and members
Partner with the Executive Director and Board on donor solicitations, and will directly solicit gifts
Manage membership renewals and implement strategies to increase retention and engagement
Support the annual fund campaign through donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Manage donor and member communications, including thank-you letters and tax acknowledgements, impact updates, and recurring giving outreach
Develop sponsorship materials (proposals, benefits packages, recognition plans) in collaboration with the Executive Director
Track sponsorship commitments and donor support in Little Green Light and coordinate tax receipts or thank-you communications
Use event participation and sponsorship opportunities to cultivate relationships with donors, members, and community partners
Research local, regional, and national grant opportunities from foundations, government agencies, and corporate philanthropic programs
Draft and submit grant proposals in collaboration with the Executive Director
Track reporting deadlines and assist with assembling necessary data and narratives
Donor & Prospect Stewardship
Maintain regular, relationship-building communication with high-level donors and prospects through emails, letters, phone calls, and meetings
Prepare donor research profiles and meeting briefs for the Executive Director and Board members
Develop small cultivation events or behind-the-scenes experiences to deepen donor engagement
CRM & Data Management
Oversee the donor database (Little Green Light) to ensure accurate records of donations, interactions, and acknowledgments
Generate reports to support appeals, board updates, grant proposals, and stewardship efforts
Track moves management activity and progress toward fundraising goals
Events Management
Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events in collaboration with the Operations & Events Manager and Board Development Committee
Identify, solicit, and secure corporate and community sponsorships for events and special initiatives
Skills:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable communicating with donors and presenting to small groups
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially with tracking information and deadlines
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a small-staff environment and work independently when needed
Strong interpersonal skills to engage donors, supporters, and community partners
Familiarity with donor databases/CRMs and proficiency with Google Workspace
Qualifications:
3-5 years of experience in nonprofit development; arts, culture, or museum fundraising experience strongly preferred
Comfort with occasional evening/weekend commitments for programs and events
Experience working with groups of diverse ages, races, cultures, abilities, and backgrounds
Ability to climb stairs within the museum’s historic building; able to lift 20 lbs
Reliable access to transportation for donor meetings, cultivation, and development-related activities
Medical, dental, and vision insurance fully covered by employer
Generous paid time off, including paid holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Partial work-from-home schedule and paid 1-hour lunch breaks
SIMPLE IRA with 3% match; Eligible after 1 year of employment and over the age of 21
$250 health-related allowance (e.g. gym membership, fitness classes)
Annual bonus procurable based on individual performance and museum budget
Posted: December 16, 2025 Deadline: January 12, 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr