Title: Development Associate
Department: Institutional Advancement
Reporting to: VP of Institutional Advancement
Date: Fall 2022
Status: Full Time - Exempt

Job Summary:

The EcoTarium, a Museum of Science and Nature, seeks an organized professional to support all functions of the Institutional Advancement Team, which includes Membership, Development, Special Events, and Marketing. The Development Associate will oversee and maintain the organization’s donor database as well as support fundraising events, marketing efforts, and membership management. This position is the driving force behind member communications and membership sales at the museum.

In this role you will:

  • Maintain the accuracy and consistency of member and donor information in a database (Altru), as well as other electronic and paper files. This includes individual data, contact notes, correspondence, and other actions.
  • Maintain and safeguard some confidential data related to donations
  • Generate renewal letters and membership cards in a timely fashion,
  • With Marketing Team members, keep track of institutional printing needs such as letterhead, membership cards, gift certificates, and brochures
  • Assist the Guest Services Team in troubleshooting and fielding membership inquiries that come in via phone, email, or in-person
  • Work with the Guest Services Team to sell and promote membership to individuals and institutions, working toward an ambitious 2023 earned revenue goal
  • Record all gifts in the organization’s database, including the upload of scanned gift letters/checks into the system
  • Write and produce donor acknowledgments and pledge reminders
  • Oversight of the museum’s Symbolic Animal Adoption Program including ordering and inventory tracking of adoption items (plush, paintings, certificates, etc.)
  • Frequent reconciliation with Finance Team members
  • Proactively manage information at and from employee-giving and matching-gift programs
  • Manage staff and volunteer membership benefits and issue new cards to these distinct groups as needed
  • Produce and ensure accuracy of regular reports on members and donors for use in management decision-making, reconciling financial records, producing the organization’s Annual Report and other external reporting
  • Maintain the institution’s hard-copy records pertaining to development and membership
  • Field requests for donations of admissions passes and oversee process for fulfilling and declining requests
  • Supervision of volunteers
  • Assist with the planning and implementation of some special events, including managing raffles and supporting auctions
  • Produce custom gift certificates and complimentary tickets when needed
  • Working with Institutional Advancement Team, identify appropriate audiences for marketing, fundraising appeals, and event invitations; generate mailing lists accordingly
  • TIPS certification required. If not current, the museum will pay for this certification for you
  • Some tabling events, both on-site and off-site to promote membership and events in the community
  • Works closely with the Museum’s Event Coordinator to promote membership opportunities and create members-only events

A successful candidate will have:

  • Strong organizational, writing, and communication skills
  • Able to work well independently or in a team environment
  • Able to prioritize multiple tasks
  • Demonstrated ability to apply the principles, methods and practices of the development profession in a nonprofit setting
  • Experience working with fundraising databases - Altru or Raiser’s Edge preferred
  • Availability to work occasional flexible hours including evenings and weekends

Non-Essential Functions

  • Serve on staff ad-hoc committees when needed
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements of the job:

  • Associate's degree or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience required
  • 1-3 years of experience in the development field preferred
  • Museum or nonprofit experience preferred
  • Pass CORI and SORI background checks according to EcoTarium’s guidelines

Salary: $44,335.20/year

Disclaimer: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.


The EcoTarium believes that science and nature are for everyone.  We recognize the incredible value of the diversity of the human experience and we are committed to making equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion imperative in how we operate.  We prioritize respect, inclusion, and opportunities for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we prohibit discrimination of any kind.


Applicants with disabilities may contact Human Resources via telephone, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange for accommodations. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request accommodation at any time. Please contact Patty Huzar (Director of Human Resources) at phuzar@ecotarium.org or 508-929-2700 ext 2708.

Instructions: Please fill out the form below to submit your application.

All applications require a cover letter and resume. Review begins immediately; applications accepted until position is filled. EOE.

  • Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 16 MB, Max. files: 3.
      References can be uploaded as a pdf, docx, or doc and should include: Name, Job Title, Company, Phone, Email, and Relationship