Gift Officer (Director of Individual Giving)

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history during the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. The Smithsonian has surpassed its $2.5 billion fundraising goal one full year ahead of schedule, a milestone that comes as the nation prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary in 2026. This achievement marks the largest fundraising effort in the history of any cultural organization and represents a defining moment for the Institution and the country it serves. The Our Shared Future campaign has advanced the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. 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.

The Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch, the Greensboro Lunch Counter, Julia Child’s kitchen, the Ruby Slippers—these are just a few of the three million objects collected and cared-for by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH). The Museum empowers people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past. By 2030, the Museum’s vision is to serve audiences that reflect the full racial, class, gender, ethnic, and geographic demographics of the United States.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

NMAH has an opening for an experienced and dynamic Director of Individual Giving to help build the base of individual support for the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, educational and outreach activities, and endowment needs. The Gift Officer will discover and qualify new prospects with a giving capacity of $100,000 and higher, and manage a portfolio of up to 125 prospects. The Director of Individual Giving will secure 6-7 figure gifts that contribute toward the Museum’s major fundraising goal. This front-line fundraising position reports to the Associate Director for External Affairs.

Duties:

• • Lead the individual giving strategy for NMAH in developing prospect pools, proposal development, cultivation and solicitation strategies.
  • Manage a portfolio of up to 125 prospects rated at $100,000 and higher.
  • Develop and implement strategies to solicit 6-7 figure gifts.
  • Close 15-20 gifts per year toward an annual, individual dollar goal.
  • Lead individual giving team to drive unrestricted annual giving through the Council for American History mid-level giving program.
  • Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for the Museum’s legacy society.
  • Create written materials to support fundraising, including visit reports, letters, and proposals.
  • Staff Museum executives, volunteer leadership, and content experts by accompanying in meetings and writing briefings, talking points, and follow-up letters.
  • Design and execute appropriate events for the cultivation and stewardship of major donors.
  • Lead donor and Board travel program.
  • Travel with Museum Director for cultivation and solicitation.
  • Maintain a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the Smithsonian’s infrastructure, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for this position are:

• • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred; master’s degree is highly desired.
  • Seven or more years of successful experience in major gift fundraising in a complex organization, preferably a museum or cultural institution.
  • A track record of building long-term donor relationships and closing 6-7 figure gifts.
  • Successful experience in identifying prospects and making cold calls.
  • Superior communication skills, both oral and written, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to articulate a compelling case for support across the Museum’s broad areas of content and work with colleagues and donors across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • Understanding of and dedication to the mission of the NMAH and a commitment to advancing its goals of becoming the most accessible, inclusive, relevant, and sustainable public history institution in the nation.
  • Willingness to travel nationally, approximately 4-6 days per month, and to work evenings and weekends as needed.

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.