Director of Institutional Giving & Strategy

POSITION: Director of Institutional Giving & Strategy

EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Chief Advancement Officer

LOCATION: 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024

WEBSITE: www.CMOM.org

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is a steward of early childhood, helping all children grow and develop into their best selves. Through our programs on-site, online, and around the five boroughs, CMOM nurtures the next generation of creative global citizens as they learn through exploration and play. Our offerings embrace the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities and include exhibitions, classes, workshops, performances, and festivals. Our programs and exhibits are designed to address the multiple ways children learn and to help parents understand and support their children’s development. CMOM’s special areas of focus include early childhood education, creativity, health, and world cultures. The museum’s programming reflects the rich cultural diversity, energy, and resilience of New York City itself and we aim to ensure our programs are available to those families who might not otherwise have access.

Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood organization, CMOM has grown over the years into a beloved destination and resource for children, families, and educators from across the five boroughs and from around the world. The museum welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its Upper West Side location and engages hundreds of thousands more through its outreach programs in partnership with schools, libraries, shelters, and Head Start centers throughout New York City; its touring exhibitions; and its online tools and curricula.

CMOM is actively engaged in a major capital campaign aimed at securing the resources necessary for its transformative expansion and future sustainability.

ABOUT THE POSITION

CMOM seeks a strategic, senior fundraising leader to serve as its Director of Institutional Giving & Strategy, a newly expanded role focused on building the Museum’s institutional fundraising infrastructure and deepening alignment between philanthropic partnerships and organizational vision. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer and working in close collaboration with the Director of Development and CEO, this role will lead CMOM’s foundation, corporate, and government fundraising efforts—driving strategy for a $1.5M+ portfolio while helping to shape a unified, long-term approach across annual giving, campaign efforts, and endowment growth.

CMOM is in the midst of an exciting transformation, with a new museum under development at 96th Street and Central Park West and growing citywide impact through its outreach, public programs, and educational partnerships. The Director will play a critical role in helping the institution meet this moment—elevating institutional fundraising strategy, building deeper funder partnerships, and contributing as a thought partner within the advancement team and across CMOM’s leadership. This includes playing a vital role in advancing CMOM’s board development goals by leveraging institutional giving opportunities—such as endowment and strategic campaigns beyond the capital project—as key drivers for trustee engagement, recruitment, and the cultivation of transformational gifts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a senior leader on the fundraising team, partnering closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Development, and CEO to shape and implement CMOM’s fundraising strategy across all contributed revenue streams during a time of significant institutional growth.

• Develop and implement a holistic strategy for institutional giving that supports annual fundraising and campaign priorities, ensuring a cohesive narrative and coordinated approach across unrestricted, restricted, and transformational gifts.

• Lead the institutional giving portfolio across foundation, corporate, and government support, setting strategy for an existing $1.5M+ annual revenue line and for campaign-related solicitations for capital and endowment by building compelling proposals and developing long-term funder relationships that span programmatic and capacity-building priorities.

• Position CMOM for long-term growth by expanding the annual institutional giving portfolio to $3M+ annually over the next five years, identifying new sources of foundation, corporate, and government support, pursuing multi-year funding opportunities, and aligning funder priorities with CMOM’s evolving strategic initiatives.

• Oversee strategy and cultivation efforts related to near- and long-term endowment growth in partnership with executive and board leadership, including identifying prospects, developing concept papers, and stewarding 6- and 7--figure conversations. Such efforts span the current campaign and future campaigns contemplated once the new Museum opens.

• Work in close partnership with the Chief Program Officer to align fundraising strategy with evolving programmatic priorities and exhibit development at CMOM’s new museum, ensuring funder proposals and reports reflect the institution’s most current vision, offerings, and community impact.

• Collaborate closely with the Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer to develop and refine complex, multi-year program and campaign budgets for proposals and reports, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with funder expectations.

• Manage an institutional giving team of up to three direct reports, providing clear direction, mentorship, and professional development opportunities while supporting a high-performing and collaborative development team culture.
• Strengthen internal systems and infrastructure to support institutional fundraising success, partnering with the Director of Development to build efficient tools, processes, and pipelines that enable tracking, forecasting, and cross-team collaboration.

• Represent CMOM externally with foundation officers, corporate partners, government agencies, and civic leaders, and internally with staff and board members; support strategy and follow-up for Development Committee and Campaign Committee meetings as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong background in institutional giving, cross-functional campaign strategy, and relationship-based fundraising.
• Deep knowledge of the philanthropic landscapes in New York City with a focus on early childhood development and arts and culture preferred.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding six- and seven-figure institutional gifts, ideally including support for both capital/endowment and programmatic priorities.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills; ability to synthesize complex ideas into compelling, mission-aligned proposals.
• Strong management and leadership experience, with a track record of supporting and developing high-functioning teams.
• Highly strategic thinker with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, adapt to organizational change, and align fundraising strategy with institutional goals.
• An ability to handle pressure with equanimity and to thrive in an entrepreneurial, and accountability-focused organization; a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude.
• Commitment to CMOM’s mission to advance early childhood development, strengthen family connections, and promote access to high-quality cultural experiences for all New Yorkers.

COMPENSATION

Compensation is $165,000 to $175,000 commensurate with experience.

Our company offers a comprehensive benefits package including vision, dental and medical (free medical coverage for employees, with premium plans available for dependents), 403B, life insurance, EAP, Paid Holidays, Personal Time Off, Vacation leave and Sick leave. We also offer a range of voluntary benefits, such as, FSA/HSA, critical illness, accident insurance, legal services, and pet insurance. As a CMOM employee, you are eligible for free admission to other New York City cultural institutions.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation during any part of the interview process, please let your recruiter know.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you’re excited about this role and believe you could thrive in it, we encourage you to apply. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds—whether you're new to arts and culture, returning to work, or exploring a career shift. Use your cover letter to share your interest and what you hope to bring to the role.

Background checks will be completed on all employees.