Manager of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Michigan Science Center Position Description

Job Title: Manager of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Department: Development

Reports To: Director of Development

FLSA Status: Full-time. Exempt.

Job Type: Onsite

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000

DESCRIPTION

Join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to putting Michigan’s youth, families, and communities at the center of science. The Manager of Donor Relations and Stewardship is a key member of our passionate fundraising team, fosters a culture of philanthropy, and helps to ensure Mi-Sci’s annual giving, major gifts, membership, and capital campaign success.

Our Vision

To be a catalyzing FORCE for the FUTURE of STEAM education in Detroit and a dynamic destination in Michigan, making Mi-Sci accessible, engaging, and transformative for all, fostering a vibrant, culturally relevant, community STEAM hub where learning is deeply personal, profoundly social, and inherently joyful.

Our Mission

We put YOU at the CENTER of SCIENCE by inspiring and cultivating a lifelong passion for learning through personalized, immersive, interactive, and playful experiences that connect communities and invite people to SEE THEMSELVES in STEAM.

SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Director of Development, the Manager of Donor Relations and Stewardship strengthens and enhances Mi-Sci’s donor experience by conducting research, coordinating cultivation activities, managing stewardship communications, executing recognition programs, and ensuring efficient, coordinated, and optimized development operations. This role blends external relationship support, impact reporting, and development operations (CRM management, reporting, data accuracy, and process coordination). It is central to building strong, lasting connections with individuals, corporations, and foundations, and enables the Director of Development and President and CEO to cultivate and solicit major gifts with confidence. Exceptional communication skills, strong organizational ability, and a proactive, donor-centered approach and follow-through are essential to success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Donor Relations and Engagement (40%)

Enhances donor experience and strengthens donor trust and positive connection with Mi-Sci.

• Serve as a key point of contact for donors, members, and partners, ensuring warm, friendly, timely, and personalized communications.
• Prepare donor briefings, profiles, and meeting materials for the Director of Development and the President and CEO.
• Coordinate donor visits, tours, small cultivation events, and stewardship gatherings.
• Support giving societies and recognition groups, ensuring positive and consistent engagement.
• Draft donor-facing communications, including thank-you letters, impact messages, updates, and special event invitations.
• Develop segmented outreach lists, call sheets, and communications calendars.

• Stewardship, Recognition, and Reporting (30%)

Ensures accountability, credibility, and sustained donor confidence.

• Develop and manage stewardship plans for annual, major, foundation, corporate, and individual donors.
• Draft and coordinate impact reports, progress updates, and stewardship communication.
• Track and fulfill sponsorship recognition and naming rights commitments.
• Manage recognition elements (museum signage, digital displays, donor listings, naming opportunities, seat-naming programs).
• Ensure timely, accurate donor acknowledgment letters and tax documentation.
• Partner with Mi-Sci’s Marketing/PR team members and functions to produce high-quality donor stories, photos, and collateral.

• Development Operations (30%) (included in responsibilities but not in the title)

Provides reliable systems and data to enable effective fundraising strategy and execution.

• Oversee gift entry, pledge tracking, documentation accuracy, and CRM data integrity.
• Generate reports, dashboards, and analytics for the President and CEO, Director of Development, and Board committees.
• Maintain donor records, pledge and grant agreements, and historical Development files.
• Support grant and proposal development by gathering data, impact statements, qualitative data, and organizational information about Mi-Sci.
• Monitor stewardship pipelines, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate departmental systems, workflow, and automation processes to improve efficiency.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support major fundraising events, including Mi-Sci’s Illuminate (friendraiser/fundraiser/open house).
• Assist with special membership events campaigns, donor upgrades, and annual fund initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate across departments (Marketing, Guest Engagement, Guest Experience) to ensure donor visibility and integration into museum activities.
• Participate in professional development and represent Mi-Sci in relevant philanthropic networks (AFP, CFRE, etc.).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional writing and communication skills; comfortable crafting donor-facing content.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced, values-driven environment.
• Proficiency with donor databases (e.g., Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce), MS Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools.
• Working understanding of fundraising principles and the donor lifecycle.

EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of experience in development, donor relations, stewardship, or nonprofit fundraising.
• Experience with CRM management, donor communications, or stewardship programs preferred.
• Experience supporting events, cultivation activities, or fundraising campaigns.

EDUCATION

B.A., B.S. from an accredited four-year college or university (required); nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field preferred.

STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS

All Mi-Sci employees support a welcoming, guest-centered culture that reflects curiosity, creativity, and community engagement. Staff are expected to model Mi-Sci’s values, collaborate across departments, and help guests discover the joy and wonder of science.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

No formal certificates, licenses, or registrations required, but should be very familiar with the tools, techniques, and technology of non-profit business management, project management, and fundraising. CFRE certification preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

No specific physical demands required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Primarily works in an office environment on-site with an 8-4 or 9-5 Monday-Friday work schedule. Remote work is flexible with approval from the supervisor. Weekend work is required for special membership or donor events, primarily concerning news media and promotions. Occasional direct supervision and facilitation on the floor during daily operations, special events, fundraisers, and programs as required.

DUTIES

This job description describes the general nature, hours, expectations, and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned by the job. The employee may be required to perform other

job-related duties as requested by the supervisor or senior management. Requirements are subject to change over time and may possibly be modified to reasonably accommodate changing institutional needs and individuals with a disability. At all times, employees are expected to help our guests discover the highlights of the Science Center and Midtown cultural campus, be curious about our offerings, and have positive experiences that are new and exciting. Creativity is valued, and reliability is prized. We are a guest and visitor-focused business, and we represent a welcoming, tolerant, and fun learning environment.

EEO

Michigan Science Center is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from women and racially underrepresented candidates. It is the policy of Michigan Science Center to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Persons who do not meet all the listed criteria but who feel that their knowledge, skills, and experience make them well-qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person