Development Officer–Special and Major Gifts

Description

As we commemorate the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, and as we come closer to realizing our dream of building a world-class brick and mortar museum, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial development professional to execute a comprehensive strategy to increase corporate, foundation, and individual giving for the Museum.

Under the supervision of the Executive Vice President, the Development Officer works in support of the vision of the Board of Directors and President and in collaboration with senior staff to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new prospects and donors.

 

Position Summary

The Development Officer is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with corporations, foundations, and individuals, inviting them to make investments in NWHM’s mission to bridge the past, present, and future through compelling and engaging programs and exhibits.  The Development Officer is a pivotal position on the Development team, working collaboratively with a small team focused on growing philanthropic support for the Museum. The Development Officer matches museum funding priorities and projects with donor interests, builds strategic partnerships, and provides support to the President on fundraising projects as assigned. The Development Officer will support overall fundraising strategy and will collaborate on identified gift strategies including facilitating critical collaboration with leadership and staff. This position will also manage the integration of a new Planned Giving program.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Work closely with President and Executive Vice President, helps create and articulate fundraising campaigns and initiatives, including cultivation and solicitation materials, campaign materials, acknowledgement and stewardship materials, and annual impact reports.
  • Manage the growth of an expanding fundraising program, including oversight of individualized moves management strategies and implementation of special fundraising programs.
  • Manage a relationship portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual prospects and donors with capacity to give a minimum of $10,000+ annually, and/or ability to provide planned gifts.
  • Work collaboratively with Board members, the President, staff leadership, and the development team to direct the strategic identification, cultivation, and solicitation of donor prospects, and implement effective fundraising strategies for giving.
  • Actively solicit contributed support from prospects and donors for unrestricted museum operations, exhibits, community programs and outreach, and other projects as assigned.
  • Partner with Marketing and Communications in the development of marketing materials for fundraising efforts.
  • Partner with Executive Vice President on key major gift activities to ensure leadership engagement in fundraising efforts.
  • Ensure that all interactions are culturally responsive, respectful, and based on a foundation of the NWHM’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity.
  • Collaborate with the Membership and Events team to oversee appropriate prospect, donor and member cultivation and stewardship at NWHM events. 
  • Maintain accurate and detailed records of donor communications and prospect management  – including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship documentation – in tracking system.
  • Support the launch of a Planned Giving program to steward planned giving donors and cultivate prospects, resulting in a robust planned giving pipeline.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 7+ years of successful development experience (including five years of special/major gifts experience) with track record in planning and implementing fundraising campaigns, closing gifts, and meeting goals.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate ideas with enthusiasm to donors, and an ability to effectively match interests of donors to museum needs.
  • Experience working with Board members and Executive staff to cultivate and steward donors and secure significant gifts.
  • Demonstrated skills initiating and managing projects, working independently, and meeting deadlines.
  • Exemplify ethical standards of professional fundraising, including confidentiality as warranted.
  • Adept at working with MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel) and experience with fundraising software and database literacy.
  • Enthusiasm for the NWHM’s vision and mission.
  • Museum and/or non-profit experience a plus.
  • B.S. degree required, CFRE certification a plus.

Application Instructions

Please submit resume and cover letter noting salary requirements to [email protected] with the subject line “Development Officer.”  Candidates will be reviewed until a hire is made; no phone calls, please.   

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The National Women’s History Museum considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with federal law. In addition, the National Women’s History Museum complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates. The National Women’s History Museum also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. All interested individuals, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.