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About the role
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy seeks a Gift Officer to serve our growing network of supporters in the Ann Arbor and Detroit region. Our donors make everything we do possible, and this role exists to help them see the impact of their generosity and connect their values to meaningful work advancing liberty and opportunity in Michigan.
This is a full-time, remote position based in the Ann Arbor or Detroit region and it involves regular travel to visit supporters. This position will report directly to the Senior Director of Advancement.
Responsibilities
Partner with a robust advancement team to implement an integrated fundraising strategy, with a specific focus on individual supporters and prospective supporters in the Lansing and Detroit region
Identify and develop long-term relationships with current and prospective supporters
Build and execute strategies to cultivate relationships, steward investments, and invite gifts that fuel the Mackinac Center's mission, vision, and strategic plan
Engage donors through telephone calls, one-on-one visits, and written correspondence so they can see the impact their partnership makes possible
Express gratitude consistently and authentically, ensuring donors know they are the heroes of this work
Travel regularly throughout the Lansing and Detroit region, with periodic travel elsewhere in Michigan and occasional interstate travel
Maintain accurate, current records on donors, gifts, and prospects in our fundraising database (Raiser's Edge)
Track progress against goals and analyze results
Qualifications
An entrepreneurial self-starter who takes ownership of a portfolio and a region
Three to five years of experience in fundraising, sales, or a role requiring you to influence decisions and build trust
A strategic thinker who can develop plans and execute them effectively
A skilled relationship builder with persuasive communication skills, including strong active listening; you ask thoughtful questions, learn what matters most to each donor, and shape conversations around their goals rather than a script
Deep understanding of and commitment to the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and personal responsibility
Comfortable with databases (Raiser's Edge experience a plus) and Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Effectively utilize AI-supported tools to strengthen donor research, prospect identification, fundraising strategy, and advancement operations
Face-to-face experience cultivating and soliciting individual donors is preferred; candidates with institutional fundraising or sales backgrounds who can demonstrate strong relational skills
Bachelor's degree preferred; being a lifelong learner is required
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 advancement
About the Mackinac Center
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 a 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.
To Apply
To apply, please submit a résumé, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position, and three professional references to:
Sarah VandeLaar
Vice President for People and Operations
Email: careers@mackinac.org
Fax: (989) 631-0964
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
For more information about the Mackinac Center please visit
