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$74.4K

$119K

How much do museum development officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum development officer in the United States is $74,448.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Museum Development Officer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Development Officer, you need a solid background in fundraising, donor relations, project management, and a relevant degree such as in museum studies or marketing. Familiarity with donor management software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and certifications in fundraising or nonprofit management are highly beneficial. Strong interpersonal, written communication, and networking skills will help you build lasting partnerships and support for the museum. These competencies are crucial for securing funding, advancing the institution's mission, and building community engagement.

What are the main challenges a Museum Development Officer faces in this role?

One of the main challenges Museum Development Officers encounter is competing for limited funding in a landscape with many worthy causes. They must also continuously engage and steward existing donors while identifying new prospects to ensure the museum’s financial sustainability. The role often involves balancing multiple projects, organizing fundraising events, and collaborating with curators, marketing teams, and executives. Strong relationship-building and adaptability are key to overcoming these challenges and achieving fundraising goals.

What is a Museum Development Officer job?

A Museum Development Officer supports museums by providing advice, training, and funding guidance to help them grow and improve their services. They often work with museum staff and volunteers to develop strategies for sustainability, audience engagement, and collections management. Their role may also include advocacy, networking, and delivering grant programs to enhance museum operations.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Development Officer jobs? The most popular types of Museum Development Officer jobs are:
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Museum Development Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Development Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,448 per year, or $35.8 per hour.
Development Officer: Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

Development Officer: Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

Motown Museum

Detroit, MI • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Development Officer: Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

Motown Museum is seeking an experienced fundraising and donor relations professional with a background in events, hospitality, and relationship-based giving. This role is essential to strengthening the Museum's donor pipeline and ensuring exceptional stewardship of supporters who help advance our mission.

Position Overview

The Development Officer plays a key role in building and sustaining philanthropic support for Motown Museum. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of individual, corporate and foundation donors, identifying and cultivating new prospects, and implementing strategies that increase engagement and giving. The Development Officer will also support partnerships, annual giving initiatives, membership efforts, and special events that contribute to the Museum's growth and long-term sustainability.

What you'll do

  • Essential Functions

Manage and grow a portfolio of individual and corporate donors, with a focus on gifts of $5,000 and above.

Meet annual fundraising goals for assigned portfolio and contribute to overall departmental targets.

Partner with the Development team to create and execute fundraising plans with measurable qualitative and quantitative outcomes.

Identify, cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward up to 100 donors in your portfolio, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and government entities.

Develop tailored engagement strategies for each prospect, including personalized cultivation and stewardship plans.

Support the strategy and implementation of the annual giving campaign.

Assist with capital and endowment campaign efforts as needed.

Manage donor relationships, including benefits fulfillment and recommendations on agreements.

Ensure timely and accurate gift acknowledgment and donor communications.

Maintain complete and up-to-date donor records in the Museum's CRM system, including contact reports, engagement tracking, and follow-up actions.

Support membership initiatives, including recruitment, renewals, benefits, communications, and special events.

Ability to draft LOU's, MOU's, donor agreements, and invoices.

Representing Motown Museum at events and donor engagement opportunities to cultivate relationships.

Assist with planning and execution of on-site and off-site meetings, events, and third-party activations.

Support direct mail, digital outreach, and social media communications as needed.

Assist with recruitment and coordination of volunteers and interns supporting development activities.

Serve as a liaison for donors and stakeholders, providing excellent customer service and personalized communication.

Follow all Museum policies, procedures, and professional standards.

Demonstrate commitment to Motown Museum's mission, vision, and values at all times.

Qualifications

  • Competencies and Qualifications

Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and edit donor-facing materials such as letters, proposals, and reports.

High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with CRM/database systems strongly preferred.

Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Experience in fundraising and donor relations required.

Education/Experience

Bachelor's degree in related field is required

Five plus year(s) fund development experience.

At least one year of experience with CRM software systems management

Proficiency in NEON CRM system preferred but not required

Apply