Careers
ARE YOU…
Enthusiastic about learning?
Looking for a creative work environment?
Eager to inspire children and caregivers?
Interested in joining an organization that serves the community?
A hard-working, positive and compassionate team-player?
WE ARE…
Diverse, fun, and collaborative individuals.
A team with a variety of professional experiences, personal backgrounds, and skillsets.
The 7th largest children’s museum in the nation.
An educational resource for the Upstate and beyond.
Mission-focused and enthusiastic about creating accessible opportunities for all children.
Our Core Values
We WOW our visitors.
We achieve excellence TOGETHER.
We embody a spirit of PHILANTHROPY.
We WONDER.
We BREAK barriers.
We are COMPASSIONATE problem solvers.
Interested in Joining Our Team?
While we post specific job openings as they become available, we’re always happy to hear from passionate individuals who are excited about the mission of TCMU. If you’d like to be considered for future opportunities, feel free to email your resume and area of interest to careers@tcmupstate.org. We keep resumes on file and our Chief of Staff will reach out if a position aligns with your experience and interests in the future.
Full Time
Position Summary:
The Development Specialist secures sponsorship and annual operating income from corporations and individuals that support the mission of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. This role manages a portfolio of current, past, and future annual donors, building the funders’ relationship with and understanding of TCMU’s mission and funding needs to match the funders’ interests with TCMU opportunities. Additionally, the Development Specialist supports project workflows, maintains the donor database, and facilitates donor stewardship efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
• Fundraising and Portfolio Relationship Management
• Lead and initiate fundraising activities to reach annual fundraising goals.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, and prospects to increase financial support.
• Identify and engage new individual and corporate donors to ensure long-term giving.
• Database and Project Management
• Maintain accurate donor database records, including data entry, gift processing, and donor interactions.
• Manage project workflows and oversee day-to-day milestones to support fundraising goals.
• Strategic Support
• Collaborate with the development team to develop and exceed fundraising targets.
• Support preparations for capital campaigns, grants, and major gift solicitations.
Qualifications:
Education
• Required: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience
• Required: 3+ years of fundraising experience in nonprofit organizations or related fields
• Required: Experience in gift solicitation
• Preferred: Familiarity with development cultivation and stewardship strategies
Technical Skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience with donor database software such as CharityProud
• Flowcharting and Digital communications
• Strong project management capabilities
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Personal Attributes
• Ability to build and maintain strong donor and stakeholder relationships
• Adjust strategies based on changing circumstances or donor feedback
• Manages setbacks and rejection without losing motivation
• Upholds ethical standards and donor confidentiality
• Hight level of professionalism and business minded
• Team player, high energy and able to flourish in fast paced environments with confidence
Core Competencies:
• Relationship Management: Builds long-term relationships with current and prospective donors and ensures proper recognition, appreciation, and ongoing engagement both in the Greenville and Spartanburg locations.
• Donor Segmentation: Segments donors for tailored engagement strategies (events, underwriting, etc.)
• Ethical Fundraising & Confidentiality: Upholds industry standards and legal compliance in all fundraising activities and maintains donor privacy and data security.
• Creative and Communication Skills: Crafts compelling narratives that inspire donors to connect with the mission.
• Project Management: Coordinates timelines, budgets, and deliverables for successful fundraising events.
• Ability to commute to both the Greenville and Spartanburg locations regularly (2 days per week at one location/3 days per week at the other location)
Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to careers@tcmupstate.org.
Part Time
Internships and Volunteering
The TCMU Internship Program seeks to recruit, train, and retain committed interns who bring a variety of knowledge, life experiences, and skills to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in order to better meet the needs of the visitors TCMU serves. Internship opportunities exist throughout the organization, from exhibit maintenance to event planning to host a wide variety of individuals.
Current openings include:
- Brand & Marketing Intern
- Facilities & Exhibits Intern
- Community Engagement Intern
- Development Intern
- Events Intern
- Retail Intern
Internship seasons run from August-December/January-May/May-August unless otherwise agreed upon by TCMU on a case-by-case basis. Openings for internships vary by season. Internships are not paid opportunities. Benefits include:
- TCMU Store discount
- Q&A panels with TCMU staff to learn what employers look for in strong candidates as well as other career readiness tips
- Invitations to TCMU staff meetings
- Opportunities to participate in professional development seminars
Please complete this application and send to careers@tcmupstate.org to be considered for an internship position at TCMU.
Chosen applicants are subject to a reference check and background check.