Gift Officer

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. Following the success of the Smithsonian’s first comprehensive capital campaign, the largest ever undertaken by a cultural organization, the Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization. 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 National Portrait Gallery seeks an experienced and dynamic gift officer. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to join a diverse, collegial, and successful advancement team that is responsible for raising support from individuals, foundations, and corporations and generating revenue through special event rentals. The incumbent will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects; creating compelling and persuasive proposals; managing stewardship of donors including Board members; and preparing other donor communications.  The Gift Officer will work closely with the Director of Advancement to manage the Museum’s Advisory Committee (Commission) to include membership development and orientation, Commission prospect pipeline development, development of program content and its execution, interaction with members and follow-up on requests and assignments. 

The successful applicant will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with individual, corporate and foundation prospects, and donors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. Applicants with board management experience preferred. Applicants must have strong organizational and communication skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Experience working in a complex higher education, or a large cultural organization is preferred.

The National Portrait Gallery was authorized and founded by Congress in 1962 with the mission to acquire and display portraits of "men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States." Today, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery attracts over 2 million visitors onsite and 4 million online and continues to narrate the multi-faceted and ever-changing story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery presents poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors, and activists whose lives form our national identity.

The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and nine research centers. 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 October 23, 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.