Development Manager

The Development Manager will support The Mayflower Society’s fundraising program through strong execution, donor communication, and administrative follow-through. This hands-on role is ideal for an experienced nonprofit professional who can manage the details of fundraising operations, support donor outreach through calls and meetings, draft clear and compelling fundraising materials, and steward donors in support of The Mayflower Society’s mission, educational initiatives, genealogical research, publications, and member engagement. This position offers room to grow in responsibility and impact., * Report to and coordinate closely with the Executive Director and Governor General on fundraising strategy, donor communications, and reporting.

• Carry out the administrative duties of the fundraising program, including managing gift tracking, reporting, mailing lists, pledge documentation, and other systems needed to keep fundraising activity organized and current.
• Conduct fundraising calls and participate in meetings to support annual giving, planned giving, campaign follow-up, and other fundraising priorities.
• Draft and send fundraising materials, including appeal letters, proposals, pledge materials, event communications, website copy, and other donor-facing content.
• Prepare thank-you letters, acknowledgments, pledge reminders, stewardship updates, and other donor correspondence accurately and promptly.
• Manage planned giving administration, including donor communications, tracking, recognition, reminders.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Mayflower staff and leadership on regular activity.
• Represent The Mayflower Society at meetings, events, tours, and community gatherings, serving as an organized and enthusiastic ambassador.
• Maintain high standards of donor confidentiality, ethical fundraising practice, and accurate coordination with administrative and finance staff.

• Minimum of two years of experience in nonprofit development, membership, or a closely related field.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort engaging donors, members, prospects, civic partners, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to connect mission, history, preservation, and education to donor interests.
• Experience with databases, CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and basic reporting tools; willingness to learn new systems required.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or fundraising certification preferred but not required.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend events, as needed.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Mission-driven, personable, and credible with a wide range of donors and stakeholders.
• Execution-oriented and highly organized, with the discretion, initiative, and follow-through needed to coordinate details while growing in fundraising responsibility over time.
• Comfortable working in a membership-based, historically significant organization with national and international reach.
• Committed to accuracy, discretion, stewardship, and long-term relationship building.