Development Director - Michigan History Foundation

Posted on 10/6/25 

Development Director

Michigan History Foundation

702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48915

$50,000 - $65,000 a year - Part-time

Job details

Pay

• $50,000 - $65,000 a year

Job type

• Part-time

Full job description

Position Summary

The Development Director (DD) is a part-time position responsible for leading fundraising efforts for the Michigan History Foundation (MHF). These efforts are focused on supporting the programs and projects of the Michigan History Center (Center), which manages the State History Museum together with 11 other museums and historic sites throughout the state, and the Archives of Michigan.

In addition to fundraising responsibilities, the primary duties of the position include supporting the Foundation’s Board of Directors, working closely with the Michigan History Center staff, managing a donor database and donor relations through a variety of communication tools and fundraising initiatives.

Scope and Responsibilities

1. Fundraising. Direct fundraising activities for the Foundation including project-driven campaigns, annual giving, legacy giving, Foundation-hosted events, and other fundraising activities. This includes the development of all solicitation and marketing materials consistent with the Center and Archives’s needs and jointly established fundraising priorities between the Foundation, the Center and the Archives Center.

2. Donor Cultivation and Stewardship. Identify and cultivate major gift donations and sponsorships from corporate, government and foundation sources that have an interest in the preservation of Michigan history, and steward donor relationships through timely recognition of gifts, donor recognition events, ongoing communication, and related activities.

3. Database Management. Ensure the Foundation’s donor database is maintained and up-to-date, and leverage this database through contact strategies that are intended to both grow participation of current donors and encourage participation of new donors in Foundation campaigns.

4. Foundation-Center Collaboration. To foster a collegial partnership with the Center and Archives, collaborate with Center and Archives staff, including regular attendance at Center management meetings, to ensure alignment between Foundation activities and the Center’s and Archives’ fundraising needs.

5. Brand Awareness. When necessary, serve as an ambassador for Michigan history and build public awareness of the Foundation through publications, the Foundation website, social media and other digital tools, and manage the Foundation’s relationship with the media and other communications outlets with an interest in Michigan history.

6. Board Relations. Participate in quarterly Foundation Board of Director meetings, monthly executive committee meetings, and other committee meetings as necessary, including helping in the preparation of board meeting materials.

7. Program Evaluation. Help establish performance measures, monitor results, help the Board evaluate the effectiveness of the Foundation’s fund development program, and make recommendations to the Board for areas of improvement.

Knowledge and Skills

• A passion for telling Michigan’s story, and connecting more people to Michigan’s history.
• Successful experience in fundraising and donor cultivation, with a preference for experience in fundraising and donor cultivation for history-related organizations.
• Great communications skills, including the ability to connect with individual donors, grant-making organizations, the media, and other external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with donor databases and common software applications, such as the Microsoft suite of applications.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• A “can-do” attitude, with excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Experience in working with boards of directors of small, nonprofit organizations.
• The ability to be flexible and display appropriate professional discretion, tact, and judgement.
• The ability to work collaboratively with Board members, Center and Archive staff, and others to achieve common goals.

About the Michigan History Foundation

The Michigan History Foundation is a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created to raise private funding to assure Michigan’s rich history and culture are preserved for future generations. The Foundation encourages the preservation and utilization of Michigan’s historical resources as cultural, economic and educational assets. It accomplishes this mission through a long-standing partnership with the Michigan History Center the Archives of Michigan and other state agencies and organizations.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Expected hours: No more than 29 per week

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Fundraising: 5 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Lansing, MI 48915 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person