Senior Philanthropy Officer: Impactful Donor Relations

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

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.