Gift Officer (Foundation Relations), IS-1001-12

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC seeks a Gift Officer (Foundation Relations) to advance private support through foundation grants. The role will work across NZCBI, NMNH, and NASM to cultivate prospects, develop proposals, and steward multi-unit initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings 5–10 years of fundraising experience, strong writing and speaking skills, and the ability to coordinate across units. Travel up to 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of fundraising and marketing methods, techniques, and practices.
• Skill in making oral presentations to various internal and external groups to inform about the unit’s programs, objectives and activities.
• Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering and evaluating complex data to developing appropriate recommendations for consideration.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with groups of diverse levels of understanding and backgrounds.
• Skill in written communication order to convey information and clarify operations.

Responsibilities

• Prospect Management: manages prospect activity for a portfolio of major gift/foundation prospects and develops strategies.
• Program Management: collaborates to cultivate and manage relationships with foundation donors and execute projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising knowledge

Oral presentations

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Written communication

Job description

Gift Officer (Foundation Relations), IS-1001-12

Application Deadline: 1 October 2026

Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Director of Major Gifts

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

Description

Open date: September 18, 2026

Closing date: October 1, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)

Position type: Trust Fund

Appointment type: Indefinite

Schedule: Full-Time

Duty location: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Who may apply: Open to All

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.

OVERVIEW

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run through 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. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian.

This position is located at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Rock Creek Park and will collaborate across several Smithsonian education and science-focused museums and research centers. This position’s time will be equally split between NZCBI, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), and the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). The position will lead cooperative and unit-specific opportunities with both advancement and program staff at each institution to cultivate major foundation grant opportunities.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs. Duties include identifying, cultivating, and soliciting foundation prospects; working with program leads on proposal development; managing stewardship and donor reporting; and negotiating complex, multi-unit grants.

The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of building philanthropic relationships with foundations and donors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. Your resume should clearly demonstrate success in engaging diverse constituents, securing major gifts, and writing compelling grant proposals. Strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work independently with initiative are essential. Candidates must possess excellent organizational skills and maintain a mature, professional demeanor. Experience in complex higher education, conservation, and/or science-focused nonprofit environments is preferred. Travel of up to 20% of the time is required.

Application Requirements: Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter for consideration. The cover letter should highlight the candidate's interest in the opportunity and relevant experience as it relates to the position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospect Management

• Manages prospect activity for a portfolio of major gift/foundation prospects, developing individual strategies and execution activities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from current donors.
• Executes prospect management practices in accordance with established guidelines, determining strategies that reflect donor interests and align with Smithsonian objectives, while ensuring adherence to all policies, guidelines, and regulations.
• Ensures prospect activity and information is recorded accurately and timely to support relationship management, cultivating and stewarding current and prospective donors. Works collaboratively with Advancement staff, volunteers, and leadership to engage the appropriate stakeholders in cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Program Management

• Works collaboratively with staff, volunteers, leadership, and Advancement colleagues to cultivate and manage relationships with current and prospective foundation donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts.
• Manages all aspects of the planning, development, and execution of projects in collaboration with staff and volunteers to meet fundraising goals and performance metrics.
• Evaluates and addresses challenges and determines engagement of appropriate staff and supervisor as part of resolution.
• Ensures activity and information is recorded accurately and timely, in compliance with policies, guidelines, and regulations. Works collaboratively with Advancement staff at three units and others as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of fundraising and marketing methods, techniques, and practices to develop new concepts and approaches.
• Skill in making oral presentations to various internal and external groups to inform about the unit’s programs, objectives and activities.
• Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering and evaluating complex data to developing appropriate recommendations for consideration.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with groups of diverse levels of understanding and backgrounds.
• Skill in written communication order to convey information and clarify operations and activities.

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.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

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.

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 are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact LaDonnys Biagas [e-mail]. 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.

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