Job Description
Gift Officer (Supervisory), IS-1001-13
Application Deadline: 22 July 2026
Department: Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Director, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Compensation: $121,785 - $158,322 / year
OPEN DATE: June 23,2026
CLOSING DATE: July 22, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
NON-SENSITIVE, MODERATE 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 team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we conclude the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run until the end 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.
The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is a research and educational unit of the Smithsonian Institution that produces the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, exhibitions, documentary films and videos, symposia, publications, and educational materials. Through the power of culture, we increase understanding, strengthen communities, and reinforce our shared humanity. We are committed to sustaining cultural diversity across the United States and around the world through research, education, and community engagement.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage seek an experienced individual to serve as Gift Officer.
The position builds and manages a portfolio of prospects and donors to execute a program focused on high-capacity giving. The position is responsible for efforts resulting in significant contribution levels to the Museum or unit fundraising goal.
Program Management
- Secures contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations by discovering and cultivating a productive relationship with prospective donors.
- Manages relationships with current and prospective donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
- Develops and executes strategies for engagement, presents opportunities for giving and negotiation, and completes solicitation efforts. This includes all aspects of plan development and execution of programs and projects to meet the established fundraising goals and performance metrics.
- Ensures adherence to policies, guidelines, and regulations.
- Evaluates and addresses challenges encountered with projects and plans and determines engagement of appropriate staff and supervisor as part of resolution.
- Engages staff, volunteers and leadership in cultivation and solicitation of donors in addition to soliciting gifts personally.
- Prepares correspondence and develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials.
Prospect Management
- Develops individual strategies and execution activities to increase giving and expand portfolio.
- Executes prospect management practices in accordance with established guidelines and seeks to maximize the opportunities for prospects and donors.
- Ensures activity and information are recorded accurately, timely, to identify and engage the appropriate stakeholders. The position works collaboratively with and in support of the Advancement staff and others as needed.
Supervision
- The position provides overall management of the program or unit Advancement staff.
- Plans and carries out the full range of managerial authority related to assignment of work, coordination with other programs, management advisory services, technical work direction, setting performance standards and evaluating subordinates, selection for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, resolution of complaints, disciplinary actions, identification of training needs, recommendation for awards, and determines means to improve productivity of the staff.
- Stays abreast of, supports, and communicates equal opportunity policies, plans, and programs.
- Monitors compliance with professional, ethical, and administrative policies and practices as governed by the Smithsonian Institution.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree is required
- Master’s degree is highly desired
- A minimum of six years of experience in progressively responsible advancement leadership positions, which includes work in individual giving, institutional giving, and stewardship. A passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join a dynamic and growing operation should be demonstrated in your application.
- Travel is required and work during the evenings and weekends may be necessary.
- Demonstrate proven ability to develop and manage a fundraising program in a major cultural, scientific, educational and/or non-profit organization, including the ability to navigate large, complex institutions.
- Ability to develop goals and plans of accomplishment. Proven success in securing significant contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations through creative discovery and cultivation of productive relationships with prospective donors.
- Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential.
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, 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 your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Benefits and Application Instruction
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by July 22, 2026. 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. Relocation expenses are not paid.
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.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. 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 (
https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution is an
Equal Opportunity Employer To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following:
https://www.si.edu/oeo
