Job Announcements

Development Associate

The MHS seeks a full-time Development Associate. This position is responsible for all aspects of support needed to sustain a successful MHS Fund and membership program. S/he will provide administrative support to the Development department and coordinate efforts that will maximize efficiency, expedite the work of others, and ensure the smooth operation of all development activities including database management, research, direct mail, special fundraising projects, and events. The candidate will help to produce and mail department mailings as assigned; support the Development department in preparing for meetings with the Development Committee, Board of Trustees, Council of Overseers, and individuals; create monthly database reports as needed; and perform other duties as assigned. Some work in the evenings and weekends is required. 

The Development Associate will annually process and acknowledge approximately 2,500 gifts and dues payments; coordinate approximately 8,000 MHS Fund solicitation letters, of which 1,000 are generated in house; annually create and maintain database records for approximately 800 new constituents; and maintain records and absolute data integrity for over 9,500 existing constituents in the Raiser’s Edge database. The candidate will also participate in the execution, staffing, and follow up related to various events held throughout the year. These include public programs, membership and cultivation events, and facility rentals. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides support for the annual fund and other fundraising initiatives, including implementing appeals and communicating with donors and vendors to ensure an efficient and professional process.
• Carries out the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the membership program, including interacting with Fellows and Members, implementing the renewal process, and fulfilling benefits. 
• Tracks the growth of the institution’s fundraising by processing gifts and payments, generating necessary reports using the data.
• Assists with the stewardship process for all gifts, grants, and dues payments.
• Maintains and carries out the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the MHS database including: maintaining and ensuring the continued quality of the Society’s database, updating all constituent information, creating new records, performing routine audits for data integrity, tracking stewardship activities, maintaining event records and attendance lists, and other relevant database activities.
• Ensures the ongoing integrity of the donor files and database by reviewing, filing, updating, and creating new policies and procedures when applicable.
• Helps coordinate logistics for and staffs various development and special events, including an annual fundraiser, MHS Fund giving circle events, small cultivation events for major donors, membership events, public programs, and other departmental activities.
• Helps to promote the many activities of the institution by assisting in the creation of and updating of calendar listings on the MHS web calendar and external web calendar, and by sending e-blasts.
• Assists the Development Department in preparing for meetings with Development Committee, Board of Trustees, Council of Overseers, and individuals. 
• Requires attendance at evening and weekend events sponsored by the MHS or related to the work of the Society.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a relevant professional position, preferably in a fundraising office or as an executive assistant or database administrator. 
• Experience processing contributions, maintaining donor records, and producing a variety of reports preferred. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task• Ability to be detail-oriented and accurate 
• Ability to work collaboratively inside an organization • Excellent oral and written communication skills• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 
• A basic knowledge of the Raiser’s Edge or comparable fundraising software is preferred

Application procedure: 
Interested candidates should e-mail (preferred) or mail a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to Carol Knauff at cknauff@masshist.org or Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA  02215.