Major Gifts and Corporate Partnership Manager

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) is a nationally acclaimed visual and performing arts center located in the heart of downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Founded in 1967, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center presents work by diverse artists, from the vernacular to classically trained and from local to global perspectives. JMKAC establishes a community locally and nationally with its rotating, original contemporary art exhibitions, live performances and events, classes, workshops, and on-site preschool.

We are currently seeking an innovative and mission-driven Major Gifts and Corporate Partnership Manager to join our organization’s Development team.

About The Role

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts and Corporate Partnership Manager plays a key role within the Development team, driving major gifts and corporate sponsorships to support and exceed fundraising goals. Working collaboratively to build a culture of philanthropy across the organization, this role develops and nurtures relationships with high-level individual donors and corporate partners. Showcase your personalized engagement strategies across the full donor cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects and corporate sponsors, all in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, daytime hours. Occasional Saturday, Sunday, and/or evening hours as required to meet staffing and/or event needs. Travel to other locations for events is required.

Successful Candidates Will Have:

• Solid understanding of major gift fundraising and corporate sponsorships.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to build rapport with various people and their backgrounds.
• Ability to work with donors at patron, benefactor circle and founders circle levels and corporate partners.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a track record of creating compelling proposals and presentations.
• Deep understanding of JMKAC’s mission and goals, and the ability to clearly communicate the impact of our organization’s work to potential donors and sponsors.
• Ability to work independently, manage a diverse portfolio, and prioritize tasks to meet fundraising targets.
• Persistence, resilience, and the ability to maintain composure in the face of obstacles, understanding that every ‘'no” is a future opportunity.
• Attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, think strategically, and respond to feedback.
• Highly organized with strong time management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Essential Job Duties:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major individual donors.
• Develop and implement tailored strategies to expand the major donor pipeline and increase gift commitments.
• Identify and establish new corporate partnerships while growing existing corporate relationships.
• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of corporate donors, ensuring they are effectively engaged through sponsorships, corporate giving programs, and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Development team and senior leadership to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies and partnership opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with marketing, communications, and public program teams to ensure coordinated and aligned outreach.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and the Resource Center to maintain accurate records of donor and prospect activity in the CRM system and follow up on donor moves, solicitations, and stewardship actions; Ensure other key staff (e.g. Direct of Development, Executive Director, Board, Curatorial team) are aware of and performing the needed nurture and outreach efforts.
• Track and report progress toward major gift and corporate partnership goals. Provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Participate in additional fundraising or organizational activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 – 8 years of equivalent experience in a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in major gift fundraising, corporate relations, or a related field.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing corporate partnerships.
• Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce, Blackbaud, or similar) preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong customer service orientation and relationship management experience.

This position works at various locations depending on the schedule. This position must be able to commute between locations if needed.

The John Michael Kohler Art Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.