Chief Advancement Officer

Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time
for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the
future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary
Lonnie G. Bunch III and the institution’s leadership are launching
a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our
Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and
centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions
for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign
will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people
and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs
with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious
objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and
reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are
bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the
country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships,
creating access for all. The Smithsonian is also developing two new
museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. These museums will
share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across
history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means
to be American.

 

The Anacostia Community Museum was established by the
Smithsonian Institution in September 1967 as the Anacostia
Neighborhood Museum in Southeast Washington, D.C.  It shares
the untold and often overlooked stories of communities furthest
from justice in the greater Washington, D.C. region.  In
celebrating stories of resiliency, joy, and strength, the museum
inspires those who visit to translate their ideas into action. The
Smithsonian’s Center for Environmental Justice at the Anacostia
Community Museum launched on Earth Day 2023 and seeks to create a
future in which environmentalism is a cornerstone of civic
engagement through which residents contribute to the development of
healthy, equitable communities. The Center encourages a
humanities-led framework that places traditional scientific
research and data in the context of daily life.

 

Key Responsibilities

The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum seeks an
experienced, dynamic, front-line fundraiser to assume the role of
Chief Advancement Officer. Working closely with the Director of
External Affairs, the Chief Advancement Officer oversees all
fundraising at the Museum, including foundation grants, major
gifts, annual fund, and cultivation events. The incumbent manages
relationships with current and prospective donors, including
identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
Regular interaction with donors and prospects is expected, and
direct, independent solicitation of gifts from individual and
institutional donors is a central aspect of the position. The Chief
Advancement Officer develops and manages activity for the portfolio
of prospects ranging from major gifts to principal gifts and seeks
opportunities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from
current donors. The incumbent oversees and fully participates in
all Advisory Board activities. The incumbent reports to the
Director of External Affairs and supervises one gift officer.

 

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Successful applicants will have a minimum of five years of
successful experience in fundraising with increasing level of
responsibility preferably in a museum or community-based non-profit
setting. A demonstrated track record of building long-term donor
relationships and closing 5-7 figure gifts. Strong organizational,
relationship, collaboration, communication, project management, and
supervisory skills as well as the ability to work independently are
essential. 

A demonstrated understanding of and dedication to the mission of
the Anacostia Community Museum should be included with the
application. A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is
highly desirable. Travel is required and work during the evening
and weekends may be necessary.

 Applicants who wish to qualify based on education
completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to
higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization
that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational
credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the
applicant and should be included as part of your application
package.

 Any false statement in your application may result in your
application being rejected and may also result in termination after
employment begins.

 

Application Instructions

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse
workforce. Join us in “Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and
Discovery.” Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a
cover letter using this
link by July 31, 2024. Resumes 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. Relocation expenses are not
paid.

 What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy
announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared
against the qualification and experience requirements related to
this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified
candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

 Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to
applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants
requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. 
Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be
made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review
the Smithsonian’s Accommodation
Procedures.

 The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal
Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce
comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential
backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute
to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian
EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema