Office of Advancement Career Opportunities

Part of Cooper Hewitt’s Advancement Department, the Institutional Giving Officer is responsible for the development and implementation of an annual workplan generating contributed revenue from public and private foundations, Smithsonian Institution sources, and government agencies in support of museum exhibitions and programs, special initiatives, and general operations. The incumbent reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and liaises with colleagues in the Advancement Department, at Cooper Hewitt, and across the entire Smithsonian Institution to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The incumbent maintains an active institutional portfolio and is responsible for participating in prospect qualification, building relationships with funders, developing, writing and editing effective LOIs, proposals and solicitations with supplementary materials as required, and achieving annual contributed revenue goals through new and renewed support. Responsibilities also include execution of grant documentation, general correspondence and invitations, budget oversight, acknowledgments and recordkeeping.

The incumbent plans and manages a calendar of stewardship and engagement activity, including benefits fulfillment, which may include the timely submission of interim and final reports, reconciling budgets, and ensuring compliance with policies, guidelines and grant agreements. They collaborate with colleagues and volunteer leaders to elicit information, align proposals with upcoming program offerings and to fulfill reporting requirements.

The incumbent will take on other duties as assigned, including representing the museum and interacting with a wide range of colleagues and supporters, participating in development-related special events that entail some evening and weekend hours.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Five to seven years’ experience in raising funds from and stewarding relationships with leading foundations and government agencies. A demonstrated track record of success. Familiarity with or interest in Cooper Hewitt’s mission and programs. Effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization. A team spirit, the ability to take both initiative and direction, and a comfort level with problem-solving and prioritization. Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office and relational databases). SALARY RANGE: SALARY: $102,063 to $105,568 The Smithsonian uses the General Schedule (GS) pay scale for Trust and Federally funded positions. This is a Trust funded position at Grade 12, Steps 01 to 02.

TEMPORARY TRUST APPOINTMENT:
This is a full-time one-year appointment which is renewable annually.

DUTY STATION:
The permanent duty station is 2 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Background Investigation. • 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 the U.S. is not required to apply.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by June 17, 2025. 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.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins. 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. 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.

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 Portrait Gallery was authorized and founded by Congress in 1962 with the mission to acquire and display portraits of "men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States." Today, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery attracts over 2 million visitors onsite and 4 million online and continues to narrate the multi-faceted and ever-changing story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery presents poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives form our national identity.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) seeks an enthusiastic and detail-focused Advancement Specialist to provide support to the Advancement team and assist and coordinate all aspects of NPG donor relations, communication, and events and major gifts stewardship including:

• Plans, manages and executes special events for donor stewardship and cultivation • Coordinates and attends meetings associated with events, coordinating directly with vendors and donors up until the conclusion of events.

• Prepares correspondence, reports and materials needed for donor engagement, solicitation and stewardship in consultation with supervisor.

• Assists with annual giving program to prepare donor communications including solicitations, renewals, and acknowledgements; tracks and reports on annual giving; manages direct mail appeals; create compelling marketing materials and coordinates membership events.

• Contributes to development of metrics and other measurements to evaluate success of advancement efforts by tracking and evaluating data, and preparing analysis that require graphs and charts for use.

• Manages, prepares and tracks approval of gift agreements and other gift-related documentation; composes correspondence and reports for stewardship of major donors.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies, principles and techniques for promoting the organization’s programs and developing prospects into donors.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with people having different interests.

• Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting complex fundraising data.

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 rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Benefits and Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to this link by June 12, 2025. 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 the point-of-contact listed in the “How To Apply” section above. 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.

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 have launched 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Smithsonian Gardens seeks an enthusiastic and detailed-focused Advancement Associate to provide fundraising and related administrative support. The incumbent will assist with a full range of advancement functions including drafting documents and presentations, conducting donor research, implementing various appeal campaigns, assisting with donor events, organizing travel, managing a shared calendar, assisting with external communications and outreach, and other related administrative tasks.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Qualified candidates will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills, the ability to work efficiently and thoughtfully with numerous stakeholders, exceptional discretion and organization, an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines, resourcefulness, and a thirst for learning. Experience in a large, complex non-profit organization and/or fundraising experience is preferred. 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 rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to this link by June 20, 2025. 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. 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.