Sr. Major Gifts Officer

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is seeking a Sr. Major Gifts Officer to lead efforts in securing major donations ranging from $250k to $1M+. This hybrid role involves cultivating donor relationships, collaborating with a fundraising team, and developing strategies to enhance donor engagement. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in fundraising, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for STEAM education.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plans with employer match

Free onsite garage parking

Attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days

10 Company Holidays

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years' fundraising experience with a track record of securing major gifts of $250k+.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in preparing proposals and dynamic presentation decks.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of high-level major gift donors.
• Develop and submit major gift requests to individual and private foundations.
• Support fundraising events with major gift donors and prospects.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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About Us: The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. Griffin MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to Griffin MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in Griffin MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart and innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Job: The Sr. Major Gifts Officer will be a strategic leader responsible for building increased annual contributed revenue goals for the major giving and individual donor programs. This role will cultivate, solicit, and steward a high-level portfolio of donors, targeting gifts between $250k - $1M+ on behalf of the Museum.

This is a hybrid position that requires occasional weekend and evening special event availability.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of high-level major gift donors with a focus on gifts between $250k and $1M+, spending at least 75% of their time on donor visits and outreach.
• Collaborate with a team of fundraisers to support significant institutional growth and meeting the institution's strategic goals.
• Develop and submit major gift requests to individual and some private foundations or corporations with a focus on donors giving major gifts between $250k and $1M+.
• Foster relationships with select members of the Museum's Board of Trustees.
• Provide tailored stewardship for donors within portfolio for annual, major, and planned gifts.
• Develop strategies for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major giving prospects.
• Utilize best practice moves management systems to develop pipeline.
• Advanced knowledge of research tools to support the ongoing development and improvement of donor portfolio.
• Prepare fundraising reports and budget projects as needed.
• Support all fundraising events with major gift donors and prospects including annual fund events, special major donor events, Columbian Ball, Black Creativity, and other events as needed.
• Plan small donor cultivation events in market that allow effective cultivation and stewardship of individuals within the portfolio.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of ten (10) years' fundraising experience with a track record of successfully securing major gifts of $250k+.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate in a dynamic and engaging way.
• Robust history of securing major gifts, seeking out new relationships, and facilitating the cultivation and stewardship process.
• Strong collaborator who always acts with respect and empathy.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Demonstrable skills for successfully preparing proposals and dynamic presentation decks.
• Experience setting informed development goals and plans to achieve those goals.
• Passionate about STEAM education and inspiring the next generation of inventive genius.
• Must be able to work occasional event or weekend events.
• Local and domestic travel required.
• Language:
• Ability to read, write, and interpret documents, write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
• Mathematical:
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as basic math, percentages, pro-ration, etc.
• Reasoning:
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concreate variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
• Physical:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment:
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $115,000.

This Fulltime Position Is Eligible For Benefits Including

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 Company Holidays
• 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
• Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
• Free onsite garage parking
  
  

Position created on April 1st, 2025

Our Inclusion and Belonging Statement

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.

Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos

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