Donor and Museum Relations Specialist

Job Description:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. In June 2026, Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public, allowing the museum to expand access for all.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

The Donor and Museum Relations Specialist is an experienced donor engagement, event planning, and stewardship professional who supports the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of donor relations initiatives for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary. This role helps ensure donor experiences are thoughtfully designed, strategically aligned, operationally effective, and delivered with exceptional hospitality.

The Specialist supports the Donor and Museum Relations Manager and the organization's donor engagement strategy, partnering closely with Development colleagues and cross-functional teams to advance fundraising, stewardship, and relationship-building goals. Serving as a key liaison to donors, sponsors, guests, vendors, and internal stakeholders, the Specialist helps strengthen donor relationships through meaningful engagement opportunities, seamless event and travel coordination, and high-quality stewardship experiences.

Success in this role requires strong event planning skills, the ability to independently manage complex donor-facing initiatives, sound judgment, effective cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to anticipate and resolve operational needs. The Specialist helps ensure donor stewardship activities support fundraising objectives and that donor experiences are executed with professionalism, creativity, accuracy, and care. Specific program assignments may vary based on departmental needs.

• Support implementation of donor relations programs, stewardship strategies, and engagement initiatives for donors and sponsors.
• Plan and execute donor tours, receptions, special events, cultivation events, and stewardship experiences that strengthen donor relationships.
• Partner with internal teams to deliver donor experiences aligned with organizational priorities and fundraising goals.
• Serve as a key point of contact for donors, sponsors, vendors, and guests, providing exceptional service and relationship support.
• Assess donor preferences and engagement opportunities to help create meaningful stewardship experiences.
• Recommend donor engagement and recognition opportunities that support retention and fundraising objectives.
• Exercise sound judgment in coordinating donor interactions, managing event logistics, and resolving issues while ensuring alignment with organizational standards.

• Develop detailed event plans, production timelines, run-of-show documents, staffing plans, guest flow plans, and contingency plans for assigned programs.
• Manage logistics with internal stakeholders, external partners, vendors, and guest representatives to support successful donor experiences.
• Coordinate catering, rentals, floral and décor, audiovisual needs, transportation, security, facilities, photography, entertainment, and other event services as appropriate.
• Manage guest-facing logistics, including invitations, RSVPs, seating, ticketing, arrival and departure plans, accessibility considerations, and special requests.
• Develop itineraries, briefing documents, schedules, and other materials supporting donor engagement activities.
• Lead on-site event execution for assigned programs, including setup, partner coordination, staff briefings, troubleshooting, guest experience, and breakdown.
• Provide on-site and occasional overnight travel support for donor events and experiences.
• Coordinate resources, timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Conduct post-event reviews and recommend improvements to event processes, hospitality standards, and future guest experiences.
• Coordinate donor travel experiences, site visits, tours, receptions, and special events from initial planning through execution and post-event follow-up.

• Maintain donor records, customer relationship management (CRM) data, event participation information, and reporting to ensure accuracy and data integrity.
• Support process improvements that enhance donor service, event execution, operational efficiency, and stewardship effectiveness.
• Monitor donor participation, engagement activity, and stewardship outcomes to identify improvement opportunities.
• Recommend improvements to donor relations processes, event planning practices, and hospitality standards, and implement approved changes.
• Develop and maintain reusable event tools, templates, checklists, and planning resources that improve consistency across programs.
• Serve as a resource for donor stewardship practices, event planning, and engagement processes.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, hospitality, business, marketing, public relations, event management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 4–6 years of professional experience in donor relations, development, hospitality, event management, customer service, communications, or a related field, with demonstrated responsibility for independently planning and executing complex stakeholder-facing events or programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing events or programs for sponsors, donors, or guests from concept through completion, including timelines, vendors, budgets, guest communications, event-day operations, and post-event follow-up.
• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with CRM, event management, or relationship management systems preferred.
• Experience supporting donor stewardship, fundraising, luxury hospitality, executive engagement, or constituent engagement programs preferred.

• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong event planning, project management, budgeting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to anticipate event and guest needs and independently manage complex logistics.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions within established guidelines.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solutions-oriented during high-visibility events and changing circumstances.
• Ability to build relationships and deliver exceptional donor and guest experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor database systems.
• Familiarity with project or event management tools preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Work Environment: Work is performed on-site in office, museum, and event settings. The office is climate-controlled with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones, as well as event environments. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate, but may be elevated during events. The role also requires regular interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel will be required, and a flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, the employee must provide proper identification verifying eligibility to work in the United States.