Small Museum Association

An integral member of the development team, the Development Assistant is responsible for precise and timely gift processing, gift acknowledgement, reporting, and reconciliation with accounting. This position is responsible for maintaining the development database’s integrity, structure, queries, and reports, helping with appeals and mailings, special events, communications, and administrative tasks.

This position requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, exceptional attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to prioritize as well as manage multiple projects at the same time. The ideal candidate is someone who understands the power of gratitude and community and champions the importance of healthy data and operations.

At Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, we are committed to using our skills as historians, archaeologists, and educators to help make systemic change in our work and in the museum field. As part of this, we have spent the past three years working to remove barriers to access and pursuing new research projects that shine a light on untold stories of women and people of color in the Champlain Valley. We recognize that there is more work to do to create space, challenge bias, and dismantle systems that reinforce inequality. This position will play an important role in ensuring that our internal systems and management reflect our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to improving the Museum experience for all people who work with us and connect with us and are looking for a candidate who is excited to join us in this important work.

This position is year-round, part time with all of the responsibilities listed below. A regular weekly schedule (e.g. 4 hours per day) will be determined in conjunction with the Director of Development. The ideal candidate will also have the ability to make changes to their schedule in alignment with Lake Champlain Maritime Museum events when needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Donor Data Management and Reporting

• Manage the Museum’s donor database – Little Green Light (LGL) – including gift entry, gift acknowledgement, weekly and monthly reporting; update donor contact information.
• Develop reports for Executive and Development Directors, and other stakeholders as assigned.
• Manage data requests from Development Director and Marketing Consultant for mass outreach and social media; serve as support from the Development Department with our marketing consultant. 
• Reconcile Little Green Light gift records with accounting data on a monthly basis. 
• Stay current with training and maximize use of LGL database to support development goals. Maintain and update internal LGL Policies & Procedures Handbook.
• Manage paperwork for boat donations and sales.

Donor Stewardship

• Process and acknowledge all gifts via mail, credit card, online, and stock transfer, with knowledge of practical tax receipting protocol.
• In collaboration with the Development Director, execute donor stewardship tasks (e.g., managing handwritten cards, communication inserts etc.)
• Compile and create materials for development prospect meetings, and Board meetings.
• Contribute enthusiastically to Lake Champlain Maritime Museum events, helping as necessary with set up/take down, guest lists, in-kind donations, etc. 
• Provide administrative support to the development department as assigned by Development Director.

Professional Qualifications

• High level of computer literacy and competence with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Experience with CRM platforms (Little Green Light highly preferred), and QuickBooks.
• Donor database knowledge and experience, including creating mail merges, appeals, and reports.
• Experience with any of the following preferred: data entry, database administration, project management, and/or fundraising experience.
• Ability to work independently, and in a flexible environment; good time management, including the ability to manage multiple tasks, define and set priorities, and problem solve.
• Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail when preparing and reviewing work.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write well.
• Enthusiasm for nonprofit fundraising and willingness to proactively seek best practices and new ideas.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Experience or interest in working with museums or non-profits
• An interest and commitment to DEI/representative work in museums
• A commitment to collaboration and an enthusiasm for Lake Champlain, its history, and its future

Salary and Benefits

$24/hour for 20 hours per week (benefits include a robust combined time off policy; flexible schedule; opportunity for partial work from home hours; and discounts in the museum store and on museum programs).

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Lauren Ross HERE, with the subject line “Development Assistant.” Applications will be open until the position is filled, and the targeted start date for the position is February 3, 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.