Director of Donor Relations

Posting is open through 4/17/2025

Interested parties must apply through the Career Portal at https://secure7.saashr.com/ta/6200947.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US

Director of Donor Relations



The Grand Rapids Public Museum is the oldest and second-largest museum in Michigan. We are a place of never-ending learning and discovery, with programs and exhibits focusing on history, science, and culture. The employee culture of the GRPM is one of teamwork, excitement, and learning. As an integral part of the West Michigan community, the Museum is open daily to visitors and hosts after-hours public events, programs, private events, and weddings. The entire GRPM team works to create positive visitor experiences through engaging exhibits and programs, and a safe, clean, welcoming space. Fundraising is an important revenue driver to ensure that the Museum can continue its vibrant role as a cultural educational center in West Michigan. Such financial support allows the Museum to create new exciting exhibits, programs, and activities and serve as a community gathering place for various special events. It is a critical revenue stream for the Museum. It enables it to remain a fiscally sustainable institution thereby ensuring it will be a community partner for many years.

SUMMARY: The Director of Donor Relations plays a vital role within the Fund Development Department and is responsible for cultivating and expanding the financial donor base, including both individual and select corporate donors. This position focuses on developing relationships with donors to secure contributions at all levels, with the primary objective of meeting the organization's annual fundraising goals through substantial monetary gifts. While the Director of Donor Relations will occasionally serve as a museum ambassador, promoting the GRPM's exciting exhibits and programs within the community, the core purpose of this role is to drive successful fundraising outcomes. The ideal candidate will be an inspirational communicator, skilled in engaging with diverse groups across various settings, and consistently emphasizing the impact of the GRPM. This position will assist with all aspects of grant opportunities. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Fund Development.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES including, but not limited to:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of individuals and select corporate prospects.
• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of prospects - including grant partners, individual donors and corporate donors.
• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship.
• Identify and formally qualify new individual and corporate donor prospects by developing and executing both long-term and short-term strategies. This involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects to produce a continuous stream of donors.
• Manage the Curiosity Club (donors over $1,000) to engage and grow donor involvement.
• Create and deliver impactful and memorable stewardship communications. 
• Identify and support strategies to build a planned giving program.
• Research new grant opportunities, sustain relationships with current grant partners, and establish relationships with new grant partners.
• Support grant proposal development as requested.
• Develops a strategic plan with targeted goals for various fundraising events and activities, focusing on donor solicitation and fundraising efforts.
• Make direct solicitations to support the Museum programs, exhibits, events, educational programs and annual fund.
• Assist in the long-range planning for the individual giving group.
• Create, implement and adjust to new initiatives for increased individual giving from members, participants and other museum stakeholders.
• Manage strategic outreach in the community to foster stakeholder relationships.
• May be expected to assist with some responsibilities of the VP in their absence.
• Other duties may be assigned as necessary.