Employment Opportunities

Currently Open Positions:
Associate Director Major Gifts – WMUK
Part-time Grants Manager - WMUK

Associate Director Major Gifts – WMUK

Western Michigan University (WMU) Advancement and WMUK-FM seek an Associate Director Major Gifts – WMUK to join our growth-oriented development team, supporting our strategic mission in a post-federal funding environment, through targeted philanthropic revenue.

Position Description

The Associate Director Major Gifts – WMUK is primarily responsible for identifying and promoting relationships with major donors with an emphasis on emerging gifts for WMUK-FM (the Station).This position will exist as a shared position within WMU Advancement and the Station. As part of the development team this position may provide support for engagement events and membership campaigns. This is a full-time benefits-eligible position.

Station Overview

WMUK-FM is public radio from Western Michigan University and a founding NPR member station. We are the Kalamazoo-based NPR affiliate for the West Michigan region. Situated halfway between Detroit and Chicago, 102.1 FM is our flagship NPR News and Information service, broadcasting across West Michigan and Northern Indiana. Classical WMUK broadcasts 24/7 on 89.9 FM and the HD-2 channel of 102.1 FM.

Our mission is to share knowledge, explore ideas and tell compelling stories that engage listeners and communities across Western Michigan and beyond. Our vision is to become the regional NPR station of choice for a growing community of public radio listeners and supporters.

Primary Duties

Develops, organizes and promotes relationship strategies for major gift prospects in assigned portfolio based on fundraising best practices with an understanding of public media.
Qualifies major gift prospects, including determining the interest and affiliation with public radio in general, and the Station in particular.
Builds and stewards relationships with donors and prospects through personal engagement, ongoing communication and coordinated strategies, to strengthen their involvement and deepen their connection with WMUK-FM.
In collaboration with University Advancement personnel, continually refreshes portfolio based on engagement history and wealth screening data; maintaining accurate and timely records of all donor interactions in the CRM system.
Crafts major gift proposals and agreements.
Works with the Station development team developing and executing giving campaigns.
Logistical support for development events as needed. May participate in on-air membership campaigns.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.
Three years' relevant experience.
Demonstrated ability to work independently.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, or related field.
Willingness to travel locally, and occasionally outside of West Michigan. Demonstrated professionalism.
Capable of motivating, volunteers and donors.
Strong self-motivation.
Ability to work as a team member in a complex organization.
Ability to take direction and follow instructions from one or more reporting lines.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge of and experience in public media development, particularly in the areas of major donor cultivation and/or corporate philanthropy.
Five years of experience in fundraising, with a focus on major gifts or high-income donor engagement.
Proficiency with Salesforce donor databases.
Proven success in building productive relationships with high-level gift prospects, key business leaders, staff, non-profit leaders, institutional boards, volunteers, or donors.

Reports to

Direct reporting to WMU Advancement Interim Assistant Vice President, Leadership/Major Gifts, with secondary reporting WMUK Director of Development.

Pay Range

This is a full-time benefits-eligible position that will consist of 40 hours of work per week with a minimum starting salary of $82,890, depending on experience and applicable skills.

Application Requirements

For official description, qualifications and application procedures, visit: www.wmujobs.org Only applications submitted via wmujobs.org site will be considered. Posting # S1339P.This position is open until filled.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Part-time Grants Manager WMUK

WMUK-FM seeks a Part-time Grants Manager to join our growth-oriented development team, supporting our strategic mission in a post-federal funding environment, through targeted grant-funded revenue.

Position Description

The Part-time Grants Manager is primarily responsible for securing station funding support by researching and identifying grant opportunities, crafting compelling grant inquiries and proposals to corporations, community foundations, governmental, and other philanthropic entities. Additionally, this position maintains grant cycle tracking and grant reporting in coordination with key staff. As part of the development team this position may perform support tasks around events and membership campaigns. This is a part-time non-benefits eligible position.

Station Overview

Primary Duties

Research potential grant funding opportunities based on project needs identified by Development Director and General Manager.
Develop effective, coherent, and compelling grant materials, proposals, case statements, letters of inquiry, acknowledgment letters, progress reports and other corporate/foundation communication.
Guide and coordinate staff in crafting persuasive stories tied to achievable goals, metrics and strategies.
Write reports to comply with grant requirements. Maintains master files on grants. Maintain calendar of all grant deadlines, application processes and report to ensure timely filing of all materials.
Participate in in-person, virtual, and phone meetings with funders. Complete grants recognition related requirements, as necessary.
Manages grant close out reporting and project archiving for record retention.
Logistical support for development events as needed. May participate in on-air membership campaigns.

Required Qualifications

Associate degree or higher in related field from an accredited institution.
One (1) year experience as a professional grant-writer in a governmental, university or non-profit organization, or equivalent experience
Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively identify grant funding opportunities from a variety of sources.
Demonstrated success in the ability to procure and execute grants from a variety of sources.
Proven experience and skill in writing and editing compelling proposals that meet the requirements of funders
Knowledge of grant reporting techniques and best practices.
Ability to work on several projects at once on tight deadlines, along with ability to work irregular shifts in order to meet grand submission and reporting deadlines
Familiarity with relational databases and experience with grant research tools
Proficient in Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office 365 Suite of programs.

Desired Qualifications

3-5 years of professional experience as a grant-writer in a governmental, university or non-profit organization.
Demonstrated success in the ability to procure and execute grants specifically for public media.
Grant Professional Certified (GPC) or similar grant writing certification.
Working knowledge of and experience with Instrumentl
Familiarity with and interest in National Public Radio and/or public broadcasting.

Reports to: Kim Willis, Development Director, WMUK-FM

Pay Range: This is a part-time position that will consist of 20 hours of work per week at $28.00/hr., based on experience and applicable skills.

Application Requirements

Submit cover letter and resume to: employment@wmuk.org
Please include subject line: "Grants Manager"

Position open until filled, first review: September 30, 2025. Western Michigan University is an AA/EO Employer. Minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.