The Michigan State University College of Music is uniquely positioned where excellence meets access. The College seeks to raise philanthropic support to invest in the people, programs and opportunities that will define the next generation of musical excellence. Campaign priorities include expanding scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships; strengthening student wellness and career development; supporting innovative performance, research and entrepreneurship initiatives; creating endowed faculty positions; funding transformative learning experiences around the world; and expanding access through outreach, engagement and community music education. Guided by MSU's land-grant mission, philanthropic support empowers student and faculty success, increases access to music education and amplifies the impact of the College of Music as a powerful force for positive change in communities across Michigan and beyond.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Associate Director of Development assists the Senior Director of Development for the College of Music in planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program that advances the College's priorities and supports Michigan State University’s mission. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donor prospects and securing philanthropic support for students, faculty, programs, facilities and strategic initiatives.
The Associate Director manages a portfolio of approximately 70-80 major gift prospects, focusing on individuals with the capacity to make gifts of $100,000 or more. Through strategic relationship-building and moves management, the Associate Director is expected to raise $3 million or more in annual philanthropic commitments, complete approximately 180 significant personal visits annually, conduct 30 or more major gift solicitations per year, and secure funding from approximately 20 or more donors annually.
A significant component of this role is prospect discovery and pipeline development. The Associate Director actively identifies, qualifies, and engages new prospective donors to build a sustainable major gift pipeline that supports both annual fundraising goals and the College's long-term growth. Success in this position requires proactive outreach, strategic prospecting, and the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships that advance prospects toward major gift commitments.
The Associate Director dedicates substantial time to donor engagement activities and travel, both within Michigan and nationally, to manage prospect relationships and expand the College's donor base. The duties of the Associate Director of Development include, but are not limited to, the following:
FUNDRAISING –
- Manage a portfolio of 70-80 major gift prospects through strategic identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of major gift prospects.
- Partner with University Advancement, College leadership, faculty, staff and Community Music Schools leadership to develop and execute strategies for gifts of $100,000 and above.
- Conduct a minimum of 180 significant personal visits annually to advance prospects through the major gift cycle.
- Meet or exceed annual performance benchmarks of at least 30 major gift solicitations, 20 funded proposals, and $3 million in philanthropic commitments.
- Align donor interests with College funding priorities to secure support for students, faculty, programs, facilities and strategic initiatives.
- Represent the College at performances, events and donor engagement activities to strengthen relationships and advance fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with volunteers, faculty, administrators and advancement colleagues to maximize philanthropic support.
- Advise donors on charitable giving opportunities and gift vehicles.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND DONOR STEWARDSHIP –
- Prepare prospect briefings, proposals, stewardship reports, gift agreements and donor communications in collaboration with the College's Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, as appropriate.
- Partner with the College's Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship to develop and implement major donor stewardship plans, including impact reporting, recognition, engagement opportunities and donor experiences.
- Collaborate with College and University Advancement leadership to deliver exceptional stewardship and engagement initiatives that strengthen donor retention and long-term support.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT –
- Develop and execute annual fundraising plans and monitor progress against established goals, metrics and strategic objectives.
- Support major fundraising initiatives, campaign priorities and special projects that advance College and University goals.
- Maintain accurate prospect strategies, contact reports, fundraising activity and gift documentation within the University's constituent relationship management system.
- Leverage prospect data and moves management practices to inform strategy, evaluate portfolio performance, and identify opportunities for increased engagement and giving.
- Partner with advancement colleagues to coordinate prospect strategies, portfolio management and fundraising efforts.
- Communicate fundraising results, pipeline activity, and portfolio performance to College and University Advancement leadership, as appropriate.
REPORTING
Reports to the Senior Director of Development, College of Music.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
- Alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, friends, patrons and other prospective donors to cultivate relationships, solicit philanthropic support and respond to donor inquiries and interests.
- College faculty and staff to communicate fundraising priorities, provide development guidance, identify funding needs and develop philanthropic strategies.
- University Advancement colleagues and development peers to coordinate prospect management, cultivation and solicitation strategies and share best practices.
- Professional organizations and industry partners to gather information, explore partnership opportunities and remain informed of emerging trends and opportunities.
- Foundations and grant-making organizations to assess funding priorities, understand application and stewardship requirements and pursue philanthropic support aligned with College priorities.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing and/or Business; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public relations, volunteer administration, professional and higher education fundraising, marketing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid Michigan driver's license required at the time of hire.
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree in music, liberal arts, business, communications, public relations, marketing or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of five years of major gift fundraising experience, including a demonstrated record of securing gifts of $100,000 or more from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a complex organization, preferably in higher education, with a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
- Appreciation for and understanding of the performing arts, particularly music and music education.
- Knowledge of fundraising principles, best practices and charitable giving regulations, including applicable tax laws.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed for donor engagement and special events.
- Ability to travel regularly throughout Michigan and periodically nationwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.