Posted: September 29, 2025
Expires: November 28, 2025
Imagination Station
1 Discovery Way, Toledo, Ohio 43604
IMAGINATION STATION
Advancement Manager
Full Time
Description:
The Advancement Manager reports directly to the Director of Business Development. They will be responsible for the successful design and implementation of all activities to minimally secure $750,000 dollars in fundraising. The selected candidate should also be prepared to show a successful history of fundraising growth through donor and prospect research, acquisition and stewardship with emphasis on relationship building and sustenance. The strongest candidates will possess a passion for inquiry and demonstrate an enthusiastic interest in informal science education.
Responsibilities:
Development Practices
· Foster a donor-centric approach in all development work across the organization
· Gain familiarity and remain knowledgeable in Imagination Station programming and activities helping identification and alignment of donor interest and the science center’s work
· Exhibit a sincere desire and drive to see Imagination Station’s success through building financial resources
· Maintain a productive relationship cross-functionally with programs, experience, marketing and finance teams to advance development work
· Excel in all development activities including effective proposal and impact report writing and cultivation and acquisition plan development that broadens and deepens donor base
· Maintain active community relationships and networking opportunities during and outside work hours
· Maintain an active meeting schedule with new and existing donors
· Based on revenue budgets; set goals and objectives to achieve fundraising success
· Maintain all donor information and activity in donor software system
Annual Fund
· Successfully plan and execute all development strategies of the annual fund campaign (AF) including the planning and execution of a moves management plan for existing donors
· Increase AF giving by 20% annually through retention and acquisition
· Working with the membership manager, analyze members for prospective donors and develop a strategy and plan that creates a desire to support Imagination Station as a donor
Individual and Corporate Development
· Work closely with the Director of Business Development in the strategic cultivation, recruitment and retention of new individuals and corporate donors
· Identify and cultivate potential individual donors who exhibit an alignment with Imagination Station’s work with intent to build individual donor base
· Research and cultivate corporations/businesses new to Imagination Station, aligning their business interest with Imagination Station’s work culminating in increased revenue for events, programs and exhibits
Fundraising Events
· Plan and execute event sponsorship acquisition with increased revenue as primary goal while nurturing key relationships and event objectives
Grant Coordination
· Assist grant writers for 40-plus grants from government and foundation sources
Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree. Two to four years in successfully demonstrated fundraising.
• Experience in membership-driven environments, cultural or educational institutions preferred.
• Proven exceptional skill at cultivating and sustaining authentic relationships with donors and other key constituents.
• Experience managing multiple projects.
• Confident, personable and comfortable representing the institution to a variety of individuals and corporate stakeholders.
• Proven track record in all facets of fundraising including annual campaigns, special events, data analysis and reporting, prospect research and cultivation and database management.
• Outstanding written and spoken communication skills, exceptional conversationalist.
• Positive, energetic big-picture individual with solid organization skills. Highly entrepreneurial, resourceful, flexible with a high degree of initiative.
• Overall strategic agility, ability both to conceptualize and execute, and the capacity to articulate a visionary approach to initiatives that will enhance the long-term financial integrity of the Imagination Station.
Imagination Station’s mission is to serve our community by providing informal science education and fun in order to spark a passion for the sciences by combining interactive exhibits and educational programming.
All applicants must apply on-line at imaginationstationtoledo.org and submit a detail resume outlining job history and experience. If you are unable to complete our on-line application due to a disability, contact us at 419-244-2674 to ask for an accommodation or alternative application process.
IMAGINATION STATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER