Gift Officer, IS-1001-12

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is seeking an experienced and dynamic gift officer to join its successful fundraising team. This role supports the museum's mission and strategic plan, offering an excellent opportunity for a professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to significantly contribute to building private support for exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs. The incumbent will collaborate with the advancement office on prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Key responsibilities include creatively matching donor interests with unit priorities, developing funding proposals, and negotiating complex gifts. The museum aims to achieve $20 million in annual philanthropic support by leveraging its strong institutional brand, extensive volunteer base, and lead donor support to grow its base of five-, six-, and seven-figure donors. This involves acquiring new donors through annual giving and advancing existing funders through the giving cycle. Identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors at all levels is crucial for the museum's future fundraising success.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years in progressive responsibilities within an Advancement team, with a preference for working within a large complex organization.
Experience in working with donors to pair their interests with museum needs.
Ability to use various communication channels, written and verbal, to engage donors and prospects around the museum’s work.
Ability to prioritize and support multiple projects and initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Preference for working within a large complex organization.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of annual leadership gift prospects with the capacity to make gifts in the mid-level to major gift range, engaging in substantive ways with prospects and donors to advance NMNH philanthropic goals.
Manage and grow annual giving at NMNH to help support a growing pipeline of mid-level and major donors through meaningful discovery and cultivation work.
Manage direct special appeals, including annual solicitation campaigns conducted both in writing and electronically.
Cultivate museum donors through affinity groups such as the Leadership Circle, Legacy Society, and Family Membership Program.
Conduct face-to-face visits with donors and prospects to connect them with museum fundraising priorities.
Support regional strategies, including events, cultivation, and other activities, to identify new donors and prospects for NMNH.
Travel up to 25% required.