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Join a mission-driven team at The Morton Arboretum and play a key role in cultivating a thriving culture of philanthropy. As the Giving Societies Manager, you will oversee and grow the Arboretum's annual giving societies-Thornhill Society and President's Council Oak Circle-helping to raise over $1.6 million annually. In this externally-facing role, you will manage a select portfolio of annual donors and prospects, build meaningful relationships with engaged donors, and serve as a key connector between fundraising teams at one of the nation's leading museums. If you have a passion for donor engagement, relationship building, and are eager to help shape the future of the Arboretum, we invite you to join our dedicated team and make a lasting impact. Position Summary: Manage fundraising efforts to meet revenue goals and grow the Arboretum's annual giving societies. Maintain an externally-focused portfolio of approximately 60 annual giving donors and prospects. Act as a critical bridge between the Major Gift, Membership and Annual Giving, and Campaigns and Stewardship teams-acquiring and retaining donors, supporting the development of future principal and major gift donors, and helping to deepen a culture of philanthropy at the Arboretum. Essential Functions:
Manage a portfolio of approximately 60 leadership annual giving prospects with gift potential in the $1,500-$24,999 range, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Has primary responsibilities for Council and Society donors at large, promoting Society involvement, welcoming new members, and encouraging connections with Arboretum program staff, leadership, and gift officers.
Direct renewal efforts through outsourced and in-house techniques for existing Council and Society donors, recommending upgrade opportunities, ensuring high donor retention rates and movement up the giving ladder.
Collaborate with teams within the Development department and across the Arboretum to identify and cultivate prospective Thornhill Society and Oak Circle members; cultivate and steward donors through engaging experience, events, and programs; devise additive gift opportunities throughout the year; and promote giving societies and advance donor engagement.
Interface with donors at Council and Society events, approximately 15-25 per year, many outside of working hours.
Complete fundraising efforts following sound financial control procedures. Work with the Director of Membership and Annual Giving to develop and manage the expense budget for Council and Society fundraising.
Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and innovations in individual giving and mid-level donor programs.
Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:Bachelor's degree required. 5+ years of fundraising experience, focusing on individual giving and annual fund programs required, preferably in museums or nonprofits, or commensurate experience in sales or customer service with high net worth individuals. Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills, both in person, in writing, and over the phone, required. Strong fundraising and relationship-building skills, strategic thinking abilities, and a passion for fostering donor engagement required. Experience and ability to interpret data for financial reporting and analysis. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications, and have experience using database systems, preferably Salesforce.
Success Factors:Strategic thinker. Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to listen and interact well with a variety of people demonstrating courtesy and patience. Confidence managing tasks simultaneously, problem solving, and working well in a team environment. Dependable, accurate, flexible, with the ability to handle sensitive information securely and with discretion. Must demonstrate a high level of interest in and commitment to the programs and mission of The Morton Arboretum.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 10 lbs.), and occasional travel around the Arboretum campus and locally.
Work Environment: Office environment, with occasional outdoor settings, including travel around the Arboretum grounds, traversing trails and/or uneven ground.
Equipment: General office equipment, Arboretum golf cart.
Schedule: Position requires occasional extended work hours for donor-facing events, including evenings and weekends.
For full consideration, please include a cover letter and resume with your application. The expected hiring range for this position is $70,000 to $75,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package. The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer- disability/veteran. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment. |
The Morton Arboretum
Jun 09, 2025