Description
Development Manager
About the Healdsburg Museum
The Healdsburg Museum preserves and shares the history of Healdsburg, its families, and its businesses. In 2026 we mark our 50th anniversary — a milestone moment for a small, ambitious institution with a working Board, a dedicated staff, and a community that cares deeply about where it came from and where it's headed.
We're looking for a Development Manager to help carry that forward: someone who can grow our membership and giving, strengthen our donor relationships, and help produce the events that bring our community together.
The Role
The Development Manager owns the Museum's membership and annual giving programs and co-produces our signature fundraising events. You'll maintain and grow our current base of members and donors, identify strategies to expand individual and business membership, and help build out our broader donor program. We're seeking an experienced development professional who knows how to grow annual giving, brings proven success and best practices, and isn't short on creative ideas.
This is a hands-on role with real visibility: you'll take part in major donor and marketing strategy sessions, work closely with the Executive Director, and have genuine room for professional growth. You'll join a creative, thoughtful, and enthusiastic team that shares a love of the area and a belief in its future.
Reports to: Executive Director / Curator
Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt)
Location: On-site in Healdsburg, with some remote flexibility; occasional evening and weekend events
What You'll Do
Membership & Annual Giving
Own the membership program (currently ~350 members) and drive growth in both individual and business membership
Manage annual giving for growth and stronger donor relationships, bringing best practices and fresh ideas to our processes
Prepare appeals, communications, and updates for donors
Major Gifts & Donor Cultivation
Meet with members and donors to deepen their relationship with the Museum
Identify prospective major donors emerging from mid-level giving and, with the ED and Board, develop cultivation strategies
Present the Museum's case for support compellingly to donors and the public
Events
Co-lead the annual History Lives gala (Dinner & Auction) alongside the Board and staff — supporting sponsorships, promotion, program development, and day-of execution
Strategy, Reporting & Collaboration
- Partner with the ED to evaluate progress against membership and giving goals, make mid-course adjustments, and serve as a thought partner on growth and sustainability
- Prepare reports for the ED and Board on membership, giving, event outcomes, budgets, and proceeds
- Staff development-related committees
- Represent the Museum at appropriate community events and help promote new and ongoing exhibitions to members and donors
- Align development work with the Museum's marketing goals
- Other duties as needed
What You Bring
- 3–5 years of experience in a development office, including annual giving programs
- Strong grounding in membership and giving strategies and best practices
- A proven track record of securing memberships and making successful donor asks
- Event experience: coordination, budgets, sponsorships, and day-of execution
- Strong communication skills, with candor, empathy, and strategic thinking
- Experience working with donors diverse in age, culture, and background
- A working understanding of marketing principles and how to apply them
- Experience collaborating with volunteers on events and programs
- Experience writing fundraising and membership communications, and working with graphic designers
- Reliable transportation for donor visits and community events around the Healdsburg area
Technical: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google Workspace; proficiency with a CRM or donor management system. - Desired: Canva or similar design tool experience. The Museum uses Bloomerang and PineconeAI as donor management software, so familiarity is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $65,000–$70,000 annually, depending on experience
A $330 monthly stipend for health insurance
Paid vacation time
How to Apply
Please send a resumé and cover letter to Holly Hoods at [email protected].
The Healdsburg Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive team.
Requirements
- 3–5 years of experience in a development office, including annual giving programs
- Strong grounding in membership and giving strategies and best practices
- A proven track record of securing memberships and making successful donor asks
- Event experience: coordination, budgets, sponsorships, and day-of execution
- Strong communication skills, with candor, empathy, and strategic thinking
- Experience working with donors diverse in age, culture, and background
- A working understanding of marketing principles and how to apply them
- Experience collaborating with volunteers on events and programs
- Experience writing fundraising and membership communications, and working with graphic designers
- Reliable transportation for donor visits and community events around the Healdsburg area
- Technical: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google Workspace; proficiency with a CRM or donor management system.
- Desired: Canva or similar design tool experience. The Museum uses Bloomerang and PineconeAI as donor management software, so familiarity is a plus.
