Senior Philanthropy Officer

Science History Institute; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Science History Institute is seeking a Senior Philanthropy Officer to lead major gift fundraising and donor stewardship from individuals, corporations, and foundations. You will manage a portfolio, craft cultivation plans, and secure significant gifts in collaboration with the President and senior leadership.

The role requires outstanding written and oral communication, deep commitment to scientific history, and in-person donor engagement in Philadelphia and beyond.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience cultivating and closing significant commitments from individuals or institutions; this may include major or principal gifts fundraising, institutional grant-seeking, corporate partnerships, or comparable relationship-driven work in another sector
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; advanced degree or comparable experience in a field pertinent to the interests of the Institute is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and to move prospects through a cultivation cycle
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to write persuasively about scientific and historical subject matter
• Proficiency with relationship-management databases; familiarity with Blackbaud products preferred
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project-management software
• Schedule flexibility to work occasional weeknights and weekends, as required

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects
• Develop and execute written cultivation and solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect, including gift amount, timing, purpose, and solicitor
• Conduct substantive donor contacts, including in-person visits within the Philadelphia region and in key national and international markets
• Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and follow-up correspondence; draft materials for the Director of Philanthropy, President & CEO, and additional Philanthropy staff
• Partner with the Director of Philanthropy on annual giving and leadership-level renewal strategies for assigned donors
• Use the Institute’s awards program, exhibition openings, lectures, and donor events as cultivation and stewardship opportunities, working with Philanthropy staff on guest lists and follow-up
• Record all contact reports, proposals, and moves in the Institute’s CRM in a timely and accurate manner
• Represent the Institute at professional, scientific, and industry gatherings as assigned

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Communication skills

Relationship building

Travel willingness

Discretion/confidentiality

Nonprofit fundraising experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1034

Salary: $95,000.00 Annually

Reports to: Director of Philanthropy

Position Classification: Exempt

Position Location: 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Overall Purpose of Job:

The Senior Philanthropy Officer is a frontline fundraiser, responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors capable of making significant gifts to the Science History Institute. The Senior Philanthropy Officer manages an assigned portfolio of prospects and plays a central role in advancing the Institute’s current fundraising priorities. This position works closely with the President & CEO and program leadership to prepare, coordinate, and conduct donor meetings and solicitations. The Senior Philanthropy Officer partners with curatorial, library, and public programs colleagues to translate the Institute’s work into compelling cases for support. This position is located at 315 Chestnut Street and requires in-office attendance for a minimum of three days per week.

Essential Functions:

• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects
• Develop and execute written cultivation and solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect, including gift amount, timing, purpose, and solicitor
• Conduct substantivedonor contacts, including in-person visits within the Philadelphia region and in key national and international markets
• Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and follow-up correspondence; draft materials for theDirector of Philanthropy, President & CEO, and additional Philanthropy staff
• Partner with the Director of Philanthropy on annual giving and leadership-level renewal strategies for assigned donors
• Use the Institute’s awards program, exhibition openings, lectures, and donor events as cultivation and stewardship opportunities, working withPhilanthropy staff on guest lists and follow-up
• Record all contact reports, proposals, and moves in the Institute’s CRM in a timely and accurate manner
• Represent the Institute at professional, scientific, and industry gatherings as assigned

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of experience cultivating and closing significant commitments from individuals or institutions; this may include major or principal gifts fundraising, institutional grant-seeking, corporate partnerships, or comparable relationship-driven work in another sector
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; advanced degree or comparable experience in a field pertinent to the interests of the Institute is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and to move prospects through a cultivation cycle
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to write persuasively about scientific and historical subject matter
• Comfortholding conversations with people from many walks of life, including scientists, executives, and philanthropic leaders
• A commitment to our mission to tell the stories behind the science
• Proven ability to work with absolute confidentiality and sound judgment
• Outstanding sense of customer service to internal and external audiences
• Proficiency with relationship-management databases; familiarity with Blackbaud products preferred
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project-management software
• Schedule flexibility to work occasional weeknights and weekends, as required

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to engage in domestic and international travel
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
• Ability to operate office machinery, including computer, copier, scanner and telephone

*The starting annual salary for this position is: $95,000. Salary may be slightly higher based on candidate’s experience.

The Science History Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The Science History Institute is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented groups such as women, racioethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities to apply.

About the Science History Institute

Founded in 1982, the Science History Institute collects, preserves, interprets, and shares the lesser-known and sometimes overlooked stories from the history of science and technology. And we don’t just mean discoveries made in laboratories. We dive deep into the history of scientific successes and failures, with a focus on expanding knowledge and broadening our understanding of how science and society intersect. We tell the stories behind the science. Visit the Institute’s museum and library, listen to our podcasts, read our magazine and blog, attend our programs, and browse our digital collections. It’s all free so you can be free to discover the science in your life. Learn more at sciencehistory.org or follow us on Facebook , X , and Instagram .