Associate Director of Development & Membership, California State Railroad Museum Foundation; Sa

Overview

Full Time
Company Name
California State Railroad Museum Foundation

Title:

Associate Director of Development & Membership

The Associate Director of Development & Membership is responsible for planning, executing, and managing the Foundation’s annual fund and membership fundraising programs, overseeing donors and members giving up to $1,500 annually. Working in close partnership with the Development Director, this role leads the day-to-day strategy and execution of fundraising campaigns and membership programs that generate sustainable, unrestricted revenue and strengthen the donor pipeline.

This position provides direct management of the membership team, supervises frontline fundraising and membership operations, and plays a central role in donor stewardship, campaign performance, and cross-departmental coordination. The Associate Director does not manage major gifts but ensures strong cultivation and stewardship at the annual fund and membership levels in support of developing major donors.

Full Job Description

Assoc. Director of Development & Membership
Full Time Regular (On-site)

Management

Salary Range: $90,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

Reports to:

Director of Development
Status:
Full-time, Exempt

Location:

Sacramento, CA, with occasional travel to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and donor events

The Associate Director of Development & Membership is responsible for planning, executing, and managing the Foundation’s annual fund and membership fundraising programs, overseeing donors and members giving up to $1,500 annually. Working in close partnership with the Development Director, this role leads the day-to-day strategy and execution of fundraising campaigns and membership programs that generate sustainable, unrestricted revenue and strengthen the donor pipeline.

This position provides direct management of the membership team, supervises frontline fundraising and membership operations, and plays a central role in donor stewardship, campaign performance, and cross-departmental coordination. The Associate Director does not manage major gifts but ensures strong cultivation and stewardship at the annual fund and membership levels in support of developing major donors.

Annual Fund Strategy & Campaign Execution

• Plan and execute the Foundation’s annual fund strategy in partnership with the Development Director, aligned with organizational revenue goals and priorities.
• Lead all fundraising campaigns serving donors and members giving up to $1,500 annually, including:
• Year-end appeal
• Big Day of Giving
• Targeted digital, direct mail, and acquisition or renewal campaigns, as appropriate
• Coordinate fundraising calendars, production schedules, and internal deadlines across departments.
• Draft and refine donor-facing appeal copy, solicitation emails, and campaign messaging in collaboration with Communications & Marketing.
• Support testing, segmentation, and continuous improvement of annual fund efforts.

Membership Fundraising & Program Oversight

• Provide strategic and operational oversight of the Foundation’s membership program in coordination with fundraising objectives.
• Supervise the Manager of Membership, and through them oversee two Membership Assistants responsible for frontline member services and engagement.
• Guide membership acquisition, renewal, and upgrade strategies consistent with donor and member experience goals.
• Ensure alignment between membership benefits, fundraising appeals, and stewardship communications.
• Partner with events, education, curatorial, and interpretation teams to support meaningful member engagement opportunities.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and members giving up to $1,500 annually through personalized outreach, stewardship, and targeted communications.
• Support donor retention and upgrade strategies by identifying patterns of engagement and giving potential.
• Coordinate with the Chief Development Officer to identify donors with emerging major gift capacity and support smooth pipeline transitions.
• Assist with donor recognition activities, acknowledgments, and impact communications appropriate to giving level.

Managem…