Major Gifts Officer

Space Center Houston is a space exploration learning destination dedicated to revealing how science and humanity power space exploration through meaningful, moving experiences about people and the courage, innovation, and teamwork they use to expand the boundaries of what’s possible.  We inspire guests of all ages to connect with the significance of space exploration as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to bring joy and wonder to the world. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, we are the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Smithsonian affiliate. 

We are seeking a full-time Major Gifts Officer responsible for securing individual gifts ranging from $1,500 to $25,000+ for Space Center Houston (SCH). This position works with the Director of Major Gifts, Chief Development Officer and Development team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift and planned giving prospects and donors. Responsibilities and qualifications are shown below:

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits prospects for major gifts and planned gifts for the purpose of supporting programming, operations and capital improvements and expansion at Space Center Houston; 
• Maintains a portfolio of a minimum of 150 prospects and donors in active engagement in the development pipeline, each prospect with a capacity and affinity to give $1,500 or more annually; 
• Conducts a minimum of three to five donor/prospect visits per week;  
• Formulates solicitation strategies, prepares background profiles for each visit and generates timely and thorough follow-up plans, correspondence and contact reports; 
• Researches and maintains profiles on qualified prospects and donors, including wealth rating, giving history to SCH and other organizations, capacity, and connections; 
• Matches each assigned donor's capacity and interest with appropriate SCH programs and priorities for multi-year annual gifts, signature projects and planned giving needs; 
• Prepares proposals, gift agreements, and reports; 
• Consistently updates the donor database with relevant reports on the above activity; 
• Provides progress reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis; 
• Participates in overall strategic planning and execution of major gift fundraising; 
• Collaborates with the Development team in achieving current revenue targets with direct accountability for goals set forth in the annual budget and strategic plan; 
• Participates in the planning and execution of annual SCH fund raising events;
• Maintains extensive knowledge of programs at and news about SCH, NASA Johnson Space Center, the aerospace and aviation industry, and science centers 
• Fosters a culture of philanthropy across SCH; 
• Be a passionate ambassador for SCH, and a positive representative of SCH both internally and externally; 
• Other duties as assigned. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree; 
• Minimum two years of demonstrated success in managing a successful donor portfolio; achieving targets as part of a strategic fundraising plan, and maximizing income from existing and prospective donors; 
• Proven ability to apply working knowledge and principles of the donor cycle, donor stewardship, and/or fundraising ethics and best practice; 
• Demonstrable strong relationship building and account management skills; 
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and highly collaborative; 
• Proficiency in software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; 
• Experience in using CRM database systems; 
• Able to work a flexible schedule including weekend and evening shifts.

Space Center Houston offers a competitive salary and benefits package. We promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration.