Job Description

The Philanthropic Advisor for Strategic Philanthropy is responsible for developing, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, including individuals and corporations, with an emphasis on securing gifts ranging from $25,000 to $1 million and above. The advisor collaborates across the museum to develop donor strategies, prepare proposals, cultivate and steward relationships, and communicate the impact of philanthropy in support of the museum's strategic priorities.

Requirements and Key Competencies

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of direct fundraising experience, preferably in major or leadership giving, with a demonstrated track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and consistently meet or exceed fundraising goals.
• Highly motivated self-starter with exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent verbal, written, and proofreading skills, with the ability to articulate museum funding priorities through proposals, presentations, and personal meetings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Tessitura or similar fundraising CRM platforms preferred.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and ability to contribute new ideas to a dynamic fundraising program.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, donors, and museum leadership.

Core Priorities of the Role

Fundraising Performance

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125 individual and corporate prospects.
• Develop strategies that encourage annual giving while introducing donors to major gift opportunities supporting programmatic initiatives, endowment, capital projects, and other institutional priorities.
• Consistently secure five- and six-figure gifts and achieve annual fundraising goals.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new major gift prospects.
• Develop and execute comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.

Strategic Thinking

• Analyze donor and prospect information to develop tailored engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Match donor interests with opportunities that advance the museum's strategic objectives.
• Contribute innovative ideas to strengthen and grow the museum's fundraising program.

Collaboration

• Partner closely with other philanthropic advisors, stewardship, donor records, and museum leadership to advance fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate on the development of persuasive proposals, presentations, and solicitation strategies.
• Share donor insights and progress to support coordinated relationship management across the institution.

Salary Range: $110,000+, commensurate with experience.

Full-time Benefits include:

• Partner level membership to CMA
• Free Garage Parking
• Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• HSA
• FSA
• 401(k) with company match
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• ID Theft
• Legal Services
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off