Assistant Director of Development - Historical Society of Michigan 

The Historical Society of Michigan seeks a qualified individual to serve as Assistant Director of Development. The Assistant Director of Development is a full-time position that plays a key role in the development/revenue operation that supports the educational mission of the nonprofit and nongovernmental Historical Society of Michigan, the oldest cultural institution in the state, founded in 1828.

The Assistant Director of Development will assist the Director of Development with planning, directing, and coordinating fundraising and friend-raising activities for the Historical Society of Michigan. They will provide leadership for the creation of strategic fund development initiatives to include a major and planned giving program, annual giving, donor stewardship and recognition programs, and public relations related to development.

In addition, the Assistant Director of Development will directly supervise the membership and development team in the office, which updates and maintains a large database of information regarding donors, members, and Michigan History magazine subscribers. This team also takes the lead in recognition programs that recognize donor contributions, as well Centennial Farms and historic entities that achieve significant milestones. This team’s goal is to give the best customer service to all they deal with, including those who call or email the office with questions or concerns.

About the Historical Society of Michigan: The Historical Society of Michigan (HSM helps connect Michigan’s past to students, educators, historical organizations, and the public through educational programs, conferences, publications, awards, workshops, referral services, networking opportunities, and support for local history organizations. HSM is the publisher of Michigan History magazine, the Historic Michigan Travel Guide, and other publications.

The Historical Society of Michigan is a member-supported educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. HSM is not collection-based and does not operate the state museum or archives housed at the Michigan History Center in downtown Lansing. The Center is a part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Implement Development Strategies and Operations (55%)

▪ Working closely with Director of Development, help develop and implement a plan with short- and long-range goals to meet Historical Society of Michigan funding objectives and enlist support from the Historical Society of Michigan Executive 
Director and CEO, members of the senior staff, internal and external volunteers, as appropriate.
▪ Work within established HSM Development policies, systems, and procedures.
▪ Take lead in implementing plans for major direct mail fundraising; growing the number of sponsors for HSM’s annual history conferences; and recruiting more sponsors to support HSM’s yearlong Michigan History Day® academic competition.
▪ Develop and take lead in implementing plans for electronic fundraising and donor recognition through email and social media (in consultation with communications team) and implementing renewals for members and subscribers via email.
▪ Assist the Director of Development in implementing strategies for major giving and planned giving programs.
▪ Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and other scheduled meetings to report on development/revenue activities to the broader HSM team
▪ Cultivate relationships with new and existing donors and solicit major and planned gifts, as requested. Develop and conduct outreach to create opportunities to cultivate relationships with local businesses, civic and social groups, estate and financial planning professionals, and other professionals with an interest in the value and mission of Historical Society of Michigan
▪ Write and submit grant proposals to support existing programs and new initiatives, as directed by Director of Development.
▪ Participate in training and other educational offerings.

Oversee the work of the Member Relations and Development Manager (20%)

▪ Supervise the activities of the Member Relations and Development Manager, who implements day-to-day processes related to handling incoming revenue and preparing regular bank deposits, and directly supervises the Member Relations and Development Assistant and the Office and Circulation Supervisor
▪ Assist the Member Relations and Development Manager in overseeing building operations, which include answering phone calls, processing incoming and outgoing mail.
▪ Work closely with the Accounting Manager and Member Relations and Development Manager to develop and implement protocols to process donations, membership dues and magazine subscription revenue in accordance with accounting principles.
▪ Provide backup support for the Member Relations and Development Manager, handling those duties in the manager’s absence.

Provide oversight for HSM recognition programs (10%)

▪ Work through the Member Relations and Development Manager, who directly supervises the Member Relations and Development Assistant, to manage issues relating to HSM recognition programs, which include donor/member information input into databases, the Centennial Farm program, Michigan Milestone awards, Michigan Heritage Home program, and state history awards.
▪ Brainstorm and implement plans to grow the number of participants in the Centennial Farm program, Michigan Milestone awards, Michigan Heritage Home program, state history awards, and other awards programs.

Provide oversight for the Michigan History magazine subscription process (10%)

▪ Work through the Member Relations and Development Manager, who directly supervises the Office and Circulation Supervisor, to manage issues relating to magazine subscriptions.
▪ Working with the communications team and appropriate staff committees, spur and implement ideas that grow circulation for Michigan History magazine
▪ Assist, where needed, the Office and Circulation Supervisor in overseeing building operations, which include answering phone calls, processing incoming and outgoing mail, distributing internal mail.

Other Duties (5%)

▪ Take on special Development projects, as assigned by either the Director of Development or the Executive Director and CEO

Reports to: Director of Development, Historical Society of Michigan

Salary: $45-47,000. This is an exempt salary senior staff position that includes health insurance, TIAA retirement contribution, disability insurance, vacation, and other benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years professional experience in fund development and relationship building.
• Bachelor’s degree in field that would support fundraising success.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of all areas of fundraising, including annual giving, major, and planned giving.
• Demonstrated experience leading and executing innovative methods for raising money electronically through emails and social media.
• A record of successful solicitations of $10,000 or more
• Proven track record of successfully meeting steadily increasing fundraising targets for a nonprofit organization.
• Experience using donor management software to track donations, donor recognition, and generate reports. ▪ Discretion when dealing with highly sensitive information, and a focus on customer service. ▪ Demonstrated experience supervising team members to meet goals.
• Occasional evening and weekend work.
• Outgoing personality that is willing to work in person, on the phone, and via electronic means with a wide variety of people.
• Experience with Microsoft Office; experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with or interest in working in a nonprofit environment that is mission driven.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and managerial skills.
• High level of problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Interest in Michigan history is a plus.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, including minorities, women, and people with disabilities.

The Historical Society of Michigan is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization.

To apply please email a cover letter and resume to resume@hsmichigan.org. The position will remain open until filled.



Posted on 3/9/2021