Institutional Gift Officer

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. It will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian is also planning two exciting new museums. The National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be an American. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. 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.

About the Institutional Gift Officer

The National Museum of Asian Art seeks an experienced and dynamic Institutional Gift Officer who has experience with foundation, corporate, and tribal fundraising. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for public programs, exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, and endowment needs of the Museum. The incumbent will be responsible for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities for foundation and corporations. The incumbent is responsible for providing a high level of support for the museum’s top-level prospects and donors and managing a portfolio of institutional prospects. The Gift Officer will work creatively to match donor interest with unit priorities, develop funding proposals and negotiate complex gifts.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building relationships across a spectrum of foundation and corporate donors. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. This position requires knowledge of and experience with writing proposals and reports, preparing complex budgets and grant management. Candidates must have strong organizational and communication skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Experience in a complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Chief Advancement Officer. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required. Travel is required up to 10% of the time.

About the National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, which holds extraordinary collections of Asian art and American art of the late nineteenth-century aesthetic movement, is devoted to fostering the understanding Asian art and culture through onsite and online exhibitions, public programming, and scholarly research.

The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 22 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and eight 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.  

Benefits and Application Instructions

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 2, 2023. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. 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.