Gift Officer (Foundation Relations), IS-1001-12

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

59d•$102,415 - $133,142•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Rock Creek Park and will collaborate across several Smithsonian education and science-focused museums and research centers. This position’s time will be equally split between NZCBI, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), and the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). The position will lead cooperative and unit-specific opportunities with both advancement and program staff at each institution to cultivate major foundation grant opportunities. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs. Duties include identifying, cultivating, and soliciting foundation prospects; working with program leads on proposal development; managing stewardship and donor reporting; and negotiating complex, multi-unit grants. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of building philanthropic relationships with foundations and donors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. Your resume should clearly demonstrate success in engaging diverse constituents, securing major gifts, and writing compelling grant proposals. Strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work independently with initiative are essential. Candidates must possess excellent organizational skills and maintain a mature, professional demeanor. Experience in complex higher education, conservation, and/or science-focused nonprofit environments is preferred. Travel of up to 20% of the time is required.

Requirements

Knowledge of fundraising and marketing methods, techniques, and practices to develop new concepts and approaches.
Skill in making oral presentations to various internal and external groups to inform about the unit’s programs, objectives and activities.
Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering and evaluating complex data to developing appropriate recommendations for consideration.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with groups of diverse levels of understanding and backgrounds.
Skill in written communication order to convey information and clarify operations and activities.
Resume should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
5-10 years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of building philanthropic relationships with foundations and donors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
Resume should clearly demonstrate success in engaging diverse constituents, securing major gifts, and writing compelling grant proposals.
Strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work independently with initiative are essential.
Excellent organizational skills and maintain a mature, professional demeanor.

Nice To Haves

Experience in complex higher education, conservation, and/or science-focused nonprofit environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages prospect activity for a portfolio of major gift/foundation prospects, developing individual strategies and execution activities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from current donors.
Executes prospect management practices in accordance with established guidelines, determining strategies that reflect donor interests and align with Smithsonian objectives, while ensuring adherence to all policies, guidelines, and regulations.
Ensures prospect activity and information is recorded accurately and timely to support relationship management, cultivating and stewarding current and prospective donors.
Works collaboratively with Advancement staff, volunteers, and leadership to engage the appropriate stakeholders in cultivation and solicitation efforts.
Works collaboratively with staff, volunteers, leadership, and Advancement colleagues to cultivate and manage relationships with current and prospective foundation donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts.
Manages all aspects of the planning, development, and execution of projects in collaboration with staff and volunteers to meet fundraising goals and performance metrics.
Evaluates and addresses challenges and determines engagement of appropriate staff and supervisor as part of resolution.
Ensures activity and information is recorded accurately and timely, in compliance with policies, guidelines, and regulations.
Works collaboratively with Advancement staff at three units and others as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.