Advancement Associate, Individual Giving

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in Smithsonian history. With our Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III, who was previously the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, we are positioned to realize our goal of being a truly 21st century museum complex. The Smithsonian is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge” and as such we use our resources to encourage curiosity, ignite wonder and spark the joy of learning.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is in the middle of a $250M campaign that will transform the Museum on the National Mall and is expanding upon its model fundraising organization, one that will meet the growing needs of one of the world’s most visited museums.  This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian.  There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.

The Advancement Associate for Individual Giving works in the Advancement Office at the National Air and Space Museum and supports the identification, cultivation and stewardship of individual donors and prospects. Core duties of the Advancement Associate include the following, among others:

• Works with the Individual Giving team’s discovery and qualification officer on the identification and qualification of potential prospects.
• Manages in-person and virtual prospect discovery and cultivation events.
• Develops and maintains relevant stewardship and cultivation content to be shared with donors and prospects.
• Strategic management of the NASM Legacy Society; supports the cultivation of potential members and stewardship of existing members.
• Working with the Advancement Assistant, coordinates Individual Giving team members’ donor meetings.

The successful candidate should have at least three years of experience in donor relations. Qualified candidates will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills, an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines, superior organization skills, event and/or project management experience and an interest in fundraising. Experience in a large, complex non-profit organization and/or advancement department preferred.

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics. To learn more about the museum, please visit nasm.si.edu.

The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research centers.  The Smithsonian is a national and world treasure and is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”  Its exhibitions, programs, collections, and outreach touch the lives of millions of Americans every year, as well as many who visit us from abroad. 

The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 16, 2022. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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.     

The Smithsonian Institution ensures its employees (federal and trust), applicants, and affiliated persons (interns, research associates, fellows, and volunteers) are protected from discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, or political affiliation and are free from reprisal against protected activities. In addition, other Smithsonian policy prohibits discrimination based on membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors, and political affiliation.

The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.