Gift Officer (Foundation)

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in
the Smithsonian’s history as we execute on our strategic plan and
prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign – Our Shared Future.
This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from
2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. It
will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the
institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.
The Smithsonian is also planning two exciting new museums. The
National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American
Women’s History Museum share the experiences and perspectives
of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared
understanding of what it means to be an American. The
Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by
talented staff across our many museums, research centers and
cultural centers. This position offers exciting opportunities for
the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future
of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing
Institution.

 

Key Responsibilities

The Institutional Advancement team within the Office of
Advancement at the Smithsonian Institution seeks a creative and
energetic relationship builder with a demonstrated record of
success with major foundation fundraising to join its successful
team. This position, which will be housed in and managed by the
Foundation Relations team in the Office of Advancement, will work
with several arts, history, and culture-focused museums and
research centers, including the Anacostia Community Museum,
National Postal Museum, Archives of American Art, and Asian Pacific
American Center.  The position will work with both museum and
research center advancement and program staff to cultivate major
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 collections, access,
education, research, and outreach and engagement activities as well
as long-term strategies for organizational sustainability,
including endowments. Duties include identifying, cultivating, and
soliciting foundation prospects; working with museum and center
directors and program leads on proposal development; managing
stewardship and donor reporting; and negotiating complex
grants.

 

The successful candidate is required to have a minimum of four
years of fundraising experience. They must also possess strong
leadership and communications skills, and a track record in
building philanthropic relationships with foundation prospects and
donors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive
fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a
drive to succeed, grant proposal writing, and ability to close
major grants should be demonstrated in your application. Candidates
must have strong organizational skills and the initiative and
ability to work independently, and a mature and professional
demeanor. Experience with complex higher education, cultural
institutions, and/or cultural heritage work is preferred. Travel of
up to 20% of the time is required.

 

 

 

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 by August 14, 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. This
position is a temporary position funded through September 2026.
This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement,
demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with
potential for a permanent position.

 

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. 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.