Gift Officer (Institutional) (IS-1001-12)

Application Deadline: 21 March 2025

Department: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: New York, NY

Reporting To: Chief Advancement Officer

Compensation: $104,436 - $107,918 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: February 26, 2025                    CLOSING DATE: March 21, 2025               POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year  
SCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: New York, NY
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

Cooper Hewitt seeks a motivated and experienced individual fundraising specialist to join its advancement team. The Individual Giving Officer reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and liaises with colleagues – in the department, at the museum, and across the Smithsonian Institution – to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward philanthropic support from individuals at all levels of investment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent is responsible for raising funds from individuals in support of museum exhibitions, education programs, special initiatives, and general operations. Responsibilities across functional areas include prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship; creating effective requests for support and stewardship materials; overseeing donor engagement and activations; developing systems and protocols; executing campaigns and gift agreements; and collaborating with colleagues to leverage opportunities across the museum. Responsibilities also include acknowledgements, correspondence and invitations; budget management; and recordkeeping. The incumbent manages a personal portfolio of 50-100 individuals, and plans and manages a calendar of engagement activity. They collaborate with colleagues at Cooper Hewitt and at Central Smithsonian, and with volunteer leaders, to elicit information, devise tailored strategies, align proposals with upcoming program offerings, prepare for meetings, fulfil follow-up and reporting requirements, ensure rewarding event experiences, and devise advancement communications and campaigns. They identify and activate growth areas and opportunities, and track, analyze and report on fundraising results. They oversee the membership program, taking special responsibility for upgrade strategies and for ensuring personalized experiences for Circle-level members. The incumbent will take on other duties as assigned, including representing the museum and interacting with a wide range of colleagues and supporters, participating in development-related special events that entail some evening and weekend hours.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Five to seven years’ experience of building relationships with and investments by individual supporters in a fast-paced nonprofit or mission-driven context. Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office and CRM experience essential). Effective interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail and organization. A team spirit, the ability to take both initiative and direction, and a comfort level with problem-solving and prioritizati