Advancement Data Specialist

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy's Advancement Department seeks a highly organized and proactive Advancement Data Specialist to serve as a central resource for donor data management, reporting, and constituent services. Reporting to the Advancement Database Manager, this in-office role is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the organization's donor database, supporting event administration, generating reports, and serving as the primary point of contact for general constituent inquiries. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, a strong communicator, and comfortable working across multiple functions within a fast-paced advancement environment.

Responsibilities

Database Management

• Add and maintain donor profiles in accordance with established data entry standards
• Merge duplicate records, audit information, and conduct ongoing data cleanup projects to maintain database integrity
• Add actions and run transactions as needed
• Generate weekly and monthly reports as assigned
• Serve as backup for running lists, queries, and location-based mailing lists

Event Administration

• Enter events into the database and serve as support for data-management functions
• Run event invitation lists, manage registration review, and prepare name badges and sign-in sheets
• Mark constituents as attended and connect payments to event records as needed

Administrative Support

• Create invoices for constituents as assigned
• Answer general incoming phone inquiries related to giving, mailing list and publication requests, and donor feedback or concerns
• Crosstrain for gift processing and related advancement operations, as needed
• Process returned mail, as needed

Qualifications

• Alignment with the Mackinac Center's mission of advancing free markets and limited government
• Experience working with CRM or donor management databases required; Raiser's Edge experience strongly preferred
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize evolving AI-supported tools to improve efficiency, organization, and service
• Strong data entry skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional and donor-centered phone manner
• Proven ability to work independently as a self-starter — managing multiple priorities with sound judgment — while also collaborating effectively as part of a team
• Experience supporting events or nonprofit advancement operations preferred

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• High-impact, mission-driven work with measurable outcomes. You’ll know you’ve made a difference.
• The opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s most respected leaders in policy and communications

The Mackinac Center is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving quality of life by promoting sound answers to state and local policy questions. We advance liberty and opportunity for all people by developing free-market policies, challenging government overreach and influencing public opinion. Our goal is to persuade policymakers to act in the broad public interest rather than narrow private or government interests. Advancing this mission is a team of 45 full-time employees, a 50-member Board of Scholars, and an annual operating budget of $13 million.

The Mackinac Center offers competitive salary and benefits including but not limited to health, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), employer-paid life insurance policy, short & long-term disability coverage, 403(b) retirement account with employer match, and 30 days paid time off, in addition to 10 paid holidays per year.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a résumé and a cover letter detailing your interest in the position to:

Sarah VandeLaar
Vice President for People and Operations
Email: careers@mackinac.org
Fax: (989) 631-0964

Candidates who advance beyond the initial interview stage may be asked to complete a Mackinac-provided skills assessment as part of the selection process.

While we thank all applicants for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those whom we are considering for an interview. No telephone calls, please.