Bell Museum Advancement Communication Specialist

Pay Range: $30.93- $32.91/hour
Working hours: Monday- Friday, with some weekends and evenings.
Working location: In person, based out of Bell Museum, St Paul Campus. This position is in-person 3 days per week.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

As an Advancement Communications Specialist, you will serve as a lead storyteller and grantwriter, translating the Bell Museum's impact into compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic support. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, you will work within a collaborative team alongside the Donor and Member Relations Manager and Associate Development Officer, as well as across teams both at the Bell Museum and the University of Minnesota Foundation, to write grant proposals, donor stewardship stories, and multi-channel communications (including the Bell's Report to the Community and monthly donor newsletter). This role will support development of evaluation best practices to measure program success and create innovative ways to share impact. This is a dynamic opportunity for a versatile writer to grow a successful grant program, while also enhancing the overall communication strategy of the Bell advancement department.

Job Duties:

• Prospect Research and Cultivation - 30%
  • Researching corporate and foundation grant and sponsorship opportunities
  • Maintaining a comprehensive funding calendar, ensuring a steady stream of applications across various museum departments.
  • Identifying trends in corporate and foundation philanthropy and staying up to date on the local philanthropic landscape.
  • Engaging foundation and corporate prospects with unique engagement strategies and in collaboration with University of Minnesota Foundation colleagues.
• Proposal Development and Management - 30%
  • Securing Bell Museum grants: writing, developing and submitting proposals and grant related correspondence, writing and reporting on grant deliverables, and developing research driven impact statements.
  • Communication with foundation funders to insure application compliance and strengthen relationships.
  • Facilitating team meetings and collecting/interpreting data that assists in the development of goals, objectives, and activities for inclusion in proposals.
  • Working with the Director of Advancement and potential funders to determine appropriate requests/solicitations.
  • Developing and drafting proposals, budgets, and accompanying materials for grant requests.
  • Coordinating documentation, funding records and database entries.
  • Maintaining regular correspondence with program officers and providing necessary stewardship.
• Donor and Member Communication - 30%
  • Identifying content and drafting stories for Bell Museum's donor stewardship communication suite: monthly email, annual newsletter, and program specific communications.
  • Writing/editing of the annual Report to the Community.
  • Support in creation of direct mail appeals and website copy.
  • Developing data driven case statements for the Bell Museum overall and for individual programs and departments, based on up to date research and statistics.
• Data Collection and Reporting - 10%
  • Developing and maintaining documentation, tracking tools, evaluation systems and procedures.
  • Collecting program data, and preparing reports for funders, in partnership and collaboration with diverse departments within the museum (Statewide Engagement, Public Education and Statewide Learning, Operations, etc.)
  • Monitoring grant expenditures and submitting budget amendments.

For questions about the position please contact Kate Sigurdson, ksigurds@umn.edu

Required

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years (related experience in grant writing, corporate sponsorship development, and/or general fundraising).
• Experience in all aspects of the grant application process, including: research, prospecting, writing grants, submitting proposals, managing applications and funding cycles, understanding guidelines and budgets, and reporting on grant deliverables.
• Ability to clearly articulate organizational goals in written proposals and collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills and extreme attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience responding to internal and external constituents, establishing positive working relationships, and responding with a sense of urgency to each specific audience.
• Experience handling confidential materials and information with sensitivity and discretion.
• Demonstrating ability to work independently and part of a team.
• Desired proficiency in database management systems for tracking donor relationships, deadlines, and track budgets.

Preferred

• Grant writing experience in cultural or nature/environment/science-based institutions.
• Master storyteller - excellent written communication skills.
• Thrives in a collaborative environment.

The mission of the Museum is to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe. The Bell envisions a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science.

For over 150 years, the Bell Museum of Natural History has collected, preserved, interpreted, and displayed the natural history of Minnesota as the state's official natural history museum. The Bell serves learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe.

The museum is powered by the great minds on campus-from our faculty-curators, student lab assistants, and undergraduate interpretive guides to our dedicated staff and collegiate partners.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired by our mission to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the Universe and achieve our vision of a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates who reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

Pay Range: $30.93 - $32.91; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

• In addition to a resume, please include a cover letter explaining how you feel your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. Please highlight any experience you have in grant proposal writing and submission.
• Those that move forward for the interview will be requested to submit a writing sample.
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on August 3, 2026

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.