Development & Campaign Manager

First & 42; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan seeks a Development & Campaign Manager to strengthen fundraising operations as it prepares for a transformational capital campaign. You will work with the Director of Development to sharpen campaign readiness, manage donor engagement, and leverage analytics to guide strategy.

You will help build donor pipelines, prepare materials for leadership, and coordinate cultivation and stewardship across the donor lifecycle, supporting organizational growth and mission

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fundraising or related field.
• At least six years in progressive fundraising or advancement roles.
• Experience supporting capital campaigns, campaign readiness initiatives, comprehensive campaigns, or major fundraising efforts.
• Proven track record in major gifts fundraising, donor stewardship, annual giving, or related advancement functions.
• Strong understanding of prospect research, donor qualification, portfolio management, and moves management strategies.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, leadership, and community partners.
• Advanced proficiency with donor databases, fundraising CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Altru, Blackbaud products, or comparable fundraising software preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with experience developing fundraising reports, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail when handling confidential donor information.
• Commitment to advancing philanthropy and supporting the Air Zoo’s mission through collaborative, donor-centered fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Support campaign readiness initiatives, major gift strategies, and long-term fundraising growth.
• Identify, research, qualify, and manage prospective major donors through prospect research, wealth screening, and relationship mapping.
• Develop and maintain donor pipelines and moves management strategies that strengthen donor engagement and increase philanthropic support.
• Prepare donor profiles, briefing materials, prospect strategies, and meeting support documents for leadership, campaign volunteers, and consultants.
• Coordinate donor cultivation, stewardship, recognition, and follow-up activities throughout the donor lifecycle.
• Assist with campaign planning, feasibility assessments, fundraising implementation strategies, and volunteer engagement efforts.
• Monitor fundraising performance, campaign readiness metrics, and donor engagement trends while providing recommendations for improvement.
• Develop fundraising reports, dashboards, forecasts, and analytics that support strategic decision-making.
• Maintain accurate donor records, prospect strategies, fundraising data, and reporting within the donor management system.
• Coordinate gift processing, pledge management, donor acknowledgements, and stewardship communications.
• Project manage biannual fundraising appeals, including timelines, donor segmentation, vendor coordination, and distribution.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop donor-centered fundraising campaigns and engagement initiatives.
• Support donor events, tours, meetings, and cultivation activities in partnership with internal departments.
• Prepare presentations, reports, and fundraising materials for leadership, Board committees, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major gifts

Donor engagement

Prospect research

CRM proficiency

Analytics and dashboards

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Altru

Blackbaud

MS Office

Job description

Are you an experienced fundraising professional who enjoys building meaningful donor relationships, using data to drive strategy, and helping organizations prepare for transformational growth? The Air Zoo is seeking a strategic, organized, and relationship-focusedDevelopment & Campaign Managerto strengthen our fundraising operations and advance philanthropic support for our mission.

About the Role

As the Air Zoo prepares for a transformational capital campaign, the Development & Campaign Manager will play a key role in strengthening the fundraising systems, campaign operations, and organizational capacity needed to support the institution’s long-term philanthropic growth. Working closely with the Director of Development, this position helps build campaign readiness, supports major gift strategies, manages donor engagement initiatives, and leverages fundraising analytics to drive successful fundraising outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Support campaign readiness initiatives, major gift strategies, and long-term fundraising growth.
• Identify, research, qualify, and manage prospective major donors through prospect research, wealth screening, and relationship mapping.
• Develop and maintain donor pipelines and moves management strategies that strengthen donor engagement and increase philanthropic support.
• Prepare donor profiles, briefing materials, prospect strategies, and meeting support documents for leadership, campaign volunteers, and consultants.
• Coordinate donor cultivation, stewardship, recognition, and follow-up activities throughout the donor lifecycle.
• Assist with campaign planning, feasibility assessments, fundraising implementation strategies, and volunteer engagement efforts.
• Monitor fundraising performance, campaign readiness metrics, and donor engagement trends while providing recommendations for improvement.
• Develop fundraising reports, dashboards, forecasts, and analytics that support strategic decision-making.
• Maintain accurate donor records, prospect strategies, fundraising data, and reporting within the donor management system.
• Coordinate gift processing, pledge management, donor acknowledgements, and stewardship communications.
• Project manage biannual fundraising appeals, including timelines, donor segmentation, vendor coordination, and distribution.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop donor-centered fundraising campaigns and engagement initiatives.
• Support donor events, tours, meetings, and cultivation activities in partnership with internal departments.
• Prepare presentations, reports, and fundraising materials for leadership, Board committees, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

The above description outlines the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and professional fundraising experience.
• Minimum of six years of progressive fundraising or advancement experience.
• Experience supporting capital campaigns, campaign readiness initiatives, comprehensive campaigns, or major fundraising efforts.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, prospect development, donor stewardship, annual giving, or related advancement functions.
• Strong understanding of prospect research, donor qualification, portfolio management, and moves management strategies.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, leadership, and community partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including preparing donor correspondence, proposals, reports, and presentations.
• Advanced proficiency with donor databases, fundraising CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Altru, Blackbaud products, or comparable fundraising software preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with experience developing fundraising reports, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail when handling confidential donor information.
• Commitment to advancing philanthropy and supporting the Air Zoo’s mission through collaborative, donor-centered fundraising.

Schedule/Work Hours

Full-time position with primarily weekday business hours. Occasional evenings and weekends are required to support donor events, fundraising activities, Board meetings, and community engagement. This position is primarily on-site at the Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan, with occasional local travel for donor meetings and organizational events.

Why the Air Zoo?

At the Air Zoo, we inspire and educate through the wonder of flight and science while preserving aerospace history for future generations. As we prepare for an exciting new chapter of growth, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the future of our institution through transformational fundraising initiatives that will expand our impact for generations to come. Join a collaborative team that values innovation, stewardship, and community while making a meaningful difference every day.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, carry, and lift up to 25 pounds. Ability to operate computers and standard office equipment, travel locally for donor meetings and events, and occasionally work evenings and weekends.

To Apply

If you are passionate about philanthropy, thrive on building relationships, enjoy turning strategy into action, and want to help shape the future of a growing cultural institution, we’d love to meet you.

Email your resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references [e-mail]

If you have questions or need assistance applying, please contact us [e-mail]

This position will remain posted until filled, however, priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 31, 2026.