DIRECTOR OF DONOR ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
POSITION SUMMARY
The landscape, culture, and creative energy of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula has attracted artists and art lovers for nearly a century. From painters, sculptors, and musicians to actors, poets, and writers, the County has been home to countless creative types, including visionary and Miller Art Museum founder Gerhard CF Miller, who have left more than their mark. They’ve created a vibrant and robust art community that continues to expand with each passing year. The Miller Art Museum has, since its inception in 1975, served as a pillar of this artistic community, providing artists and worldwide audiences an accessible platform for the exploration, appreciation, and advancement of the visual arts. The institution aims to become a leading cultural destination aspiring to serve both as a catalyst for the continued growth of the arts and a bridge to the broader art world.
The Miller Art Museum—an anchor for nearly 5 decades in one of the nation’s most vibrant, authentic art scenes—seeks a dynamic development professional to join its staff and champion the development of the institution’s growing membership, fundraising initiatives, and development efforts. The DDED will have the exciting opportunity to work in partnership with a dedicated and passionate leadership team to drive the transformation of the museum during a pivotal and exciting time of change.
The ideal candidate will be an innovative development professional who is able to enhance the museum’s strong reputation, is a strong and passionate advocate for the visual arts, and is able to successfully work to strengthen existing relationships with a proven track record of securing major gifts, cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, and successfully execute fundraising campaigns. The candidate will be a champion of the museum’s work, a skilled fundraiser, a strategic thinker, and a collaborative colleague who will contribute to ensuring the museum’s growth and long-term financial stability.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The DDED is responsible for overseeing all fundraising efforts of the Miller Art Museum, including its membership program, securing sponsorships for exhibits, events and programs, coordinating grant and foundation applications and reporting, organizing fundraising events, identifying and connecting with potential new sources of financial support, making and/or assisting major gift requests, encouraging donor support through estate and planned gifts, and developing and maintaining effective gift acknowledgment and stewardship initiatives.
- Nonprofit Culture: Demonstrates a deep understanding of philanthropy and of the nonprofit sector, the culture of the institution, and its role in the community; is able to clearly and effectively articulate and communicate the museum’s mission, goals, and achievements
- Fundraising Strategy: In partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, serves as the guiding architect of the annual development plan, calendar, and fundraising goals
- Board Engagement: Leads the development of strategies to engage the Board in fundraising, fundraising events, and the cultivation of new donor prospects
- Individual/Business/Corporate Support Management:
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- Manages the operation and growth of the museum’s donor base and membership, including stewarding of existing members, the actualization of higher-level gifts, and recruitment of new members
- Develops and secures sponsorships to support exhibitions and programming.
- Oversees all fundraising appeals (electronic and mail)
- Maintenance of Donor Management System: Maintain complete and detailed donor files and databases for both general fundraising and capital campaign activities
- Foundation and Grant Writing and Grant Management: Develops and maintains the annual calendar of foundation and grant applications and manages and prepares necessary proposals and reporting requirements
- Special Events: Collaborates with museum staff and the Fundraising Committee to plan and execute special events and fundraisers
- Integrity: Establishes policies, systems, and procedures with emphasis on professionalism and ethical standards for stewarding, acknowledging, tracking, and reporting gifts, maintaining complete confidentiality related to all donor relations
- Acknowledgment: Ensure all gifts to the institution are acknowledged in a timely and appropriate manner per museum policy
- Stay informed about current trends and best practices to foster a culture of growth and professionalism
- Report regularly to the Executive Director and Board of Directors about the status and progress of development activities and growth
- Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
- A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, arts management, or business administration is required with a minimum of 3 years of professional fundraising experience in a relevant position with a proven record of results
- Prior work or volunteer experience working for or with a nonprofit visual arts or cultural organization/museum
- Passion for the visual arts, and a genuine interest in the Miller Art Museum's mission
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Acts with integrity
- Ability to build trusted relationships and be an effective ambassador
- Self-motivated and results-oriented; can independently take initiative, manage time effectively, prioritize workloads, and work under deadlines
- Maintains excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills
- Stellar written and oral communication skills
- Ability and willingness to be flexible, make decisive decisions and act quickly when appropriate
- Work collaboratively as a team member
- Personal commitment to continuous learning, improvement, and openness
- Frequent standing, walking, and sitting and the ability to lift 25 lbs.
- Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to off-site locations for meetings
POSITION REPORTS TO: Executive Director
POSITION STATUS: Full-time
WAGE: Commensurate with experience. Salary range: $48,000 - $55,000
SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday with additional availability to work some evening/weekend hours.
TO APPLY: To apply, send a .pdf of your cover letter and resume to and include ‘Director of Donor Engagement and Development’ in the subject line. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.
MUSEUM ASSOCIATE
POSITION SUMMARY
Museum Associates are the face of the Miller Art Museum for visitors. The position requires an individual who has initiative, a positive attitude and can deliver outstanding professional, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and friendly service to the visiting public, competency and knowledge of the museum’s mission and exhibitions, as well as the capacity to handle and transact sales through the museum store and share general duties relating to the appearance and functioning of the museum.
The Miller Art Museum —an anchor for nearly 5 decades in one of the nation’s most vibrant, authentic art scenes in the heart of the Door County, Wisconsin— aspires to be a great cultural destination and regional leader in the museum community. The Museum continually strives to provide a transformative experience, accessible to all, in an intimate setting with programming that excites, engages and empowers. The institution is committed to providing a forum for cultural engagement and seeks, too, to shape future generations by celebrating and preserving the work and legacy of nationally renowned imaginary realist Gerhard CF Miller, aspiring to inform a new era of understanding and appreciation of his life and work.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Greet museum visitors with warmth and attention, engaging them in conversation and providing appropriate information and assistance.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of museum exhibitions, programming, membership, museum store merchandise, and museum policies.
- Provide assistance with processing and restocking of merchandise, inventory management and general store/reception area housekeeping.
- Assist in maintaining an orderly and attractive store keeping merchandise stocked and neatly displayed.
- Operation of POS system.
- Handles cash responsibly to ensure smooth, accurate and efficient sales.
- Maintain record of visitors daily.
- Monitor visitors in galleries and museum store for security purposes.
- Survey galleries at opening and closing for condition and security.
- Assist in administrative support as needed by museum staff.
- Undertake other assignments as designated by the Executive Director.
SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & ABILITIES
- 1 – 2 years retail experience.
- Ability to efficiently and effectively operate a computerized POS system.
- Superior interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse audiences.
- Understanding of, and commitment to, justice, equity, inclusion, accessibility and diversity practices.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A passion for and knowledge of art is highly desired.
- Retail experience specifically within a museum, specialty retail or book store.
- Fluency in Spanish or other language.
POSITION REPORTS TO: Executive Director
POSITION STATUS: Part-time
WAGE: $13/hour
SCHEDULE: Saturdays from 10am – 5pm and other times as needed.
TO APPLY: Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter explaining their interest in and qualifications for the position, current résumé, and a list of three professional references via email at . Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.
The Miller Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.