OPEN DATE: January 29, 2025               
CLOSING DATE: February 21, 2025          
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not-To-Exceed One (1) Year   
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: New York, NY
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive/Low Risk
Open to all Qualified Applicants

View full job description here: https://trustcareers.si.edu/en/postings/bbcb203e-a66d-482e-ba12-c83834860a0a

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 for the Smithsonian. In 2024, we launched the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the largest fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. The campaign, which runs through 2026, aims to raise $2.5 billion to support all Smithsonian museums and centers—each with a vision to achieve a better future for all. The Smithsonian is also raising support for a series of signature programs, events, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

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 prioritization.

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.

The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by February 21, 2025. 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 for one (1) year. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in “Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery.”
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.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTrustBranch@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: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.