CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SONOMA COUNTY
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

THIS ROLE IS HYBRID. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL WORK A COMBINATION OF ON-SITE IN THE SANTA ROSA OFFICE AND REMOTELY.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM SONOMA COUNTY
Since opening its doors in 2014, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (CMOSC) has been a critical educational resource and cultural destination for Sonoma County children and their caregivers. Rooted in current early childhood research, CMOSC’s award-winning curriculum and exhibits engage children in joyful discovery experiences that develop foundational skills, create lasting memories, and spark a lifelong love of learning.

Designed for children and their caregivers, the Museum’s experiential exhibits emphasize hands-on engagement and learning through play with a focus on art, nature, and science.

The Children’s Museum proudly supports the work of parents, caregivers, and educators in raising happy, healthy, and strong children. For more information, please visit www.cmosc.org.

OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000

  • Benefits include:

    • Vacation: Regular full-time employees accrue 10 days a year.

    • Sick Days: Regular full-time employees accrue 10 days a year.

    • Paid Holidays

    • Medical/Dental

    • 401(k)

    • Museum Membership

    • Hybrid work environment

YOU ARE

  • A strategic development leader with experience guiding organizations through significant milestones—including capital campaigns, major donor initiatives, and community-centered fundraising efforts that support long-term growth.

  • A relationship-driven fundraiser who creates authentic, meaningful connections with donors, deepens individual giving, and naturally brings warmth, empathy, and presence to every interaction.

  • A process-oriented and collaborative partner who strengthens systems, works seamlessly with cross-functional teams, and provides supportive leadership to staff, board members, and volunteer committees.

  • A mission-aligned ambassador who thrives in the community, representing the organization with enthusiasm while advancing opportunities in planned giving, major gifts, and donor stewardship as the organization evolves.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (CMOSC) seeks a Director of Advancement (DOA) who is an organized, results-driven, confident team player, to plan and coordinate all aspects of development in partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, and CMOSC’s Leadership Team. The DOA will provide leadership on all fundraising, including capital campaign planning (closing initiatives); cultivating and soliciting major gifts; planned giving; corporate event sponsorships; grant writing; membership recruitment and stewardship; and special events. The DOA collaborates with the Deputy Director on marketing and communications. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The DOA reports directly to the CEO. The DOA works in close collaboration with the CEO, Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and key volunteers to achieve CMOSC’s fundraising goals.

The DOA will supervise and inspire a team including: a Philanthropic Partnership Officer, Development Operations Manager, Development Associate, and Community Engagement & Membership Associate.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Advancement, Planning & Management

  • Lead a comprehensive, donor-centered advancement strategy encompassing annual giving, major gifts, capital and endowment initiatives, grants, corporate partnerships, planned giving, and special events.

  • Drive successful completion of the current capital campaign goal of $8M capital and work towards achieving the stretch goal of $10M.

  • Partner with the CEO to strengthen board engagement, support fundraising participation, and provide regular development updates to the Board and its Development & Marketing Committee.

  • Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, cultivating and soliciting gifts of $1,000–$25,000+, and building a sustainable major gifts pipeline.

  • Identify and steward foundation, corporate, and government funders; oversee proposal writing and timely grant reporting.

  • Expand planned giving efforts to build future revenue.

  • Oversee key fundraising and donor-engagement events, ensuring effective sponsorship strategy and strong donor experiences.

  • Develop donor communications and advancement collateral, including direct-mail campaigns and stewardship materials.

  • Serve as an ambassador for the Museum, engaging donors and stakeholders in ways that reflect the diversity of the community.

  • Provide regular progress reports on fundraising performance, portfolios, and pipelines.

Administration

  • Maintain strong advancement infrastructure, including moves-management systems, cultivation workflows, and stewardship practices.

  • Use Altru CRM and prospect research tools to manage donor data, track activity, and support forecasting.

  • Lead and mentor the Advancement team, including Membership and (as applicable) Museum on the Go outreach functions.

  • Oversee the advancement budget, forecasting, reconciliations, and pledge management in collaboration with Finance.

  • Ensure accuracy of gift entry, data systems, and reporting.

  • Collaborate across departments to identify institutional funding priorities and build compelling cases for support.

Communications, Public Relations, & Marketing

  • Oversee development-related marketing materials and collaborate with marketing team on press, collateral, digital content, and storytelling that support contributed revenue.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, civic organizations, funders, and educational institutions to enhance visibility and philanthropic engagement.

COMPETENCIES

  • 7+ years of fundraising experience with progressive growth towards senior leadership

  • 3+ years supervisory experience

  • Proven experience with managing a development team and success in all areas of advancement, including annual fund, individual major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation support, and overseeing events

  • Capital campaign experience with all campaign phases, including feasibility stage, strategy, and implementation

  • Demonstrated experience raising six and seven-figure gifts from individuals

  • Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building abilities with a collaborative approach to working with co-workers, volunteers, and donors; a natural team-builder

  • Excellent problem-solving, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills–balances data, experience, intuition, and judgment to make sound decisions aligned with CMOSC’s mission and culture

  • Demonstrated experience in efficient project management

  • Must be self-motivated, highly productive, solution-oriented, and have exceptional follow-through skills

  • Experience working closely with Board members and other volunteers to advance the mission of the organization

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and Google suite; experience with CRMs—work with Blackbaud Altru is a plus

  • Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, including public speaking, with the ability to communicate across all levels of staff, volunteers, and donors

  • B.A. degree preferred; fundraising certifications appreciated or equivalent experience

  • English language proficiency in both spoken and written form. Bilingual skills a plus

  • Passion for and dedication to the mission of CMOSC

Museum Physical Requirements

  • Willing and able to work flexible hours and travel within Sonoma County; some evenings and occasional weekends required

  • Must be able to lift at least 30 pounds

  • Must be able to stand or sit for lengthy periods of time

Please Note: This position requires a mandatory background security check.

 EQUITY STATEMENT

The Children's Museum of Sonoma County is committed to fostering a diverse workforce, and maintaining a workplace that is equitable, inclusive, and safe for all employees. From recruiting practices, to pay and benefits, promotions, and all other aspects of employment with us, an environment of equity is of the utmost importance.

TO APPLY

For more information, or to apply for the Director of Advancement position, please upload your resume and cover letter here. All applications will be kept confidential, and every applicant will receive a response.