Development Officer

The Development Officer advances the C.M. Russell Museum's mission by inspiring philanthropic support and building lasting relationships with donors, members, sponsors, and community partners. This position cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual and corporate donors, expanding charitable giving that sustains the Museum's exhibitions, educational programs, collections, and long-term vision.

Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, Executive Director, Board of Directors, and colleagues across the Museum, the Development Officer serves as an ambassador for the institution, connecting supporters with opportunities to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Charles M. Russell and the American West.

This position carries annual fundraising goals and drives growth in philanthropic support through relationship management, strategic outreach, and donor stewardship.

• Donor Cultivation & Relationship Management
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of individual and corporate donors, cultivating relationships that inspire philanthropic investment.
  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and existing donors through personalized engagement.
  • Partner with the Executive Director, Chief Development Officer, Board members, and volunteers to strengthen donor relationships and expand the Museum's network of supporters.
  • Conduct donor visits and represent the Museum at community events, donor gatherings, and other engagement opportunities.
  • Create stewardship experiences that recognize donor generosity and strengthen long-term relationships.
  • Work collaboratively with the marketing team to develop compelling donor communications, fundraising appeals, and campaign materials.
  • Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and gift documentation within the Museum's CRM database.
• Planned Giving
  • Lead and grow the Museum's planned giving program by cultivating relationships with legacy donors and prospective supporters.
  • Educate donors about planned giving opportunities and collaborate with professional advisors when appropriate.
  • Develop stewardship strategies that recognize and celebrate planned giving donors while encouraging future commitments.
  • Assist in planning and implementing annual fundraising campaigns and donor engagement initiatives.
  • Support sponsorship cultivation and corporate partnerships that align with Museum priorities.
  • Monitor fundraising progress toward established goals and recommend strategies to strengthen donor participation and giving.
• Collaboration & Museum Engagement
  • Serve as an active member of the Development team, contributing ideas and strategies that strengthen philanthropic support across the organization.
  • Collaborate with Museum staff to identify funding opportunities for exhibitions, educational programming, and institutional priorities.
  • Participate in Museum events, programs, and donor activities, representing the Museum with professionalism and enthusiasm.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

• A genuine enthusiasm for the Museum's mission and the ability to inspire others to invest in its future.
• Confidence initiating conversations with prospective donors and supporters, whether through personal visits, phone calls, networking, or community engagement.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to establish trust, identify shared interests, and cultivate long-term partnerships.
• Comfortable making direct, thoughtful requests for philanthropic support and guiding donors through the giving process.
• Excellent listening skills, with the ability to understand donor motivations and connect their interests to Museum opportunities.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the initiative to identify opportunities, open new doors, and follow through on commitments.
• Professional presence and sound judgment when representing the Museum with donors, community leaders, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Curiosity and a willingness to continually learn about the Museum's collections, exhibitions, history, and strategic priorities to effectively share its story.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across departments to support fundraising…