Strategic Campaign & Major Gifts 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

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