Job Description
Gift Officer, IS-1001-13
Application Deadline: 14 September 2026
Department: National Museum of Natural History
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $121,785 - $158,322 / year
OPEN DATE: August 31, 2026
CLOSING DATE: September 14, 2026 (This job will close when the first 200 applications are received which, may be sooner than the closing date)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-13
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk
Open to all qualified applicants
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.
Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and the institution’s leadership are launching a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships, creating access for all. The Smithsonian is also developing two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. These museums will share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be American.
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian’s unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth’s story.
The National Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced candidate to fill our Major Gift Officer position to support our Museum’s efforts to raise $20 million annually in philanthropic support through thoughtful engagement of donors and prospects.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management
- Manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 80-100 major gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make gifts of $50,000 and above, developing and executing individualized strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward philanthropic gifts.
- Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of prospective donors through proactive identification, qualification, and engagement, expanding the Museum's base of philanthropic support.
- In collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer and Advancement Operations team, develop comprehensive engagement/solicitation plans that align donor interests with the Museum's strategic priorities, including exhibitions, scientific research, collections stewardship, educational programming, capital projects, and endowment support.
- Conduct meaningful donor interactions, including personal visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and written communications, with the goal of advancing prospects through the donor lifecycle.
- Meet or exceed annual fundraising, visit, solicitation, proposal, and stewardship goals established by the Advancement leadership team.
Donor Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship
- Develop meaningful, long-term relationships with current and prospective donors through strategic cultivation, personalized stewardship, and exceptional donor service.
- Personally solicit and close major gifts of $50,000 and above, while partnering with senior leadership, curators, scientists, and volunteers on complex solicitations and transformational giving opportunities.
- Partner closely with Museum leadership, curators, educators, scientists, and colleagues across the Advancement team to identify compelling funding opportunities and develop donor engagement strategies.
- Engage volunteers, and senior staff in donor cultivation and solicitation activities by preparing briefing materials, talking points, and strategic recommendations.
- Represent the Museum at exhibitions, lectures, special events, community functions, and donor gatherings to strengthen relationships and increase philanthropic support.
- In collaboration with Stewardship and Engagement Team, design and implement customized cultivation and stewardship experiences, including, behind-the-scenes tours, educational programs, and special donor events.
- In collaboration with Stewardship and Engagement Team, prepare compelling donor correspondence, proposals, gift agreements, impact reports, stewardship plans, and other fundraising materials that effectively communicate the Museum's mission and funding priorities.
- Ensure timely acknowledgment, recognition, and reporting to donors, demonstrating the impact of their philanthropic investments and strengthening long-term engagement.
Prospect Strategy & Advancement Operations
- Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records of donor interactions, strategies, proposals, and outcomes within the Museum's constituent relationship management (CRM) system.
- Apply best practices in moves management and prospect tracking to ensure a coordinated and donor-centered fundraising program.
- Regularly assess portfolio activity and recommend additions, removals, and reassignments to maximize fundraising productivity and donor engagement.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Three to five years of progressively responsible frontline fundraising experience with demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts, preferably at the $50,000+ level.
- Demonstrated knowledge of major gift fundraising principles, moves management, donor stewardship, and relationship-based philanthropy.
- Proven ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans that result in increased donor engagement and philanthropic support.
- Strong understanding of the current philanthropic landscape and the ability to identify opportunities among individuals, family foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners.
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, negotiation, and presentation skills with the ability to engage high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, institutional leaders, and diverse stakeholders.
- Exceptional written communication skills, including experience preparing donor proposals, solicitation materials, stewardship reports, and executive correspondence.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, manage a complex donor portfolio, and meet deadlines.
- Experience using constituent relationship management (CRM) systems such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, Salesforce, or similar fundraising databases.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive donor information with discretion.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel locally as needed for donor meetings and Museum events.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by the closing date. 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.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States. Education completed outside the U.S. 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.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
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 will not be paid.
For questions concerning the position, contact:
