Gift Officer (Principal Gifts) (IS-1001-14)

Application Deadline: 16 July 2025

Department: Office of Advancement

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Director. Principal Gifts

Compensation: $142,488 - $185,234 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: June 18, 2025                CLOSING DATE: July 16, 2025           POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE:  Permanent  SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 

Position sensitivity and risk: 
Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).  Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history during the Smithsonian Campaign for 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 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 Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Smithsonian’s Office of Advancement seeks a charismatic and accomplished Principal Gift Officer with proven fundraising experience to help grow a high-performing Principal and Planned Gifts Office, serving the philanthropy needs of the Institution today and for the future. The Principal Gift Officer will maintain an active portfolio of individual donors and prospects who are capable of making gifts of $5 million or more to the Smithsonian. S/he will develop appropriate cultivation and solicitation strategies for donors and prospects, moving constituents in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure. S/he will work closely with board members, volunteers, senior leadership and other senior administrators, unit directors and advancement directors to engage donors to achieve annual fundraising goals and to build and maintain a robust principal gifts portfolio to fund Institution priorities. The Principal Gift Officer will have a specialized focus on the priorities of the Smithsonian’s Art Units and developing gift propositions that have broad impact across the Institution and its work in the arts.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Qualified candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible advancement leadership, preferably within a major, arts-related institution, non-profit