Gift Officer/IS-1001-11

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

OPEN DATE: March 17, 2026 CLOSING DATE: April 15, 2026 POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC Position sensitivity and risk: Non- Sensitive /Low Risk Open to all qualified applicants What are Trust Fund Positions? 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 dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and the institution’s leadership have launched a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships, creating access for all. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time. We seek to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art with audiences at all levels of awareness and understanding by creating meaningful, firsthand experiences in which art, artists, audiences, and ideas converge. We enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through acquisition, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, and research.

Requirements

The Gift Officer will bring a deep passion for the Hirshhorn Museum—its history and its vital role in the international modern and contemporary art landscape—and the ability to articulate a compelling case for investment in its programs and collections.
The successful candidate will have at least three years of specialized experience in major gifts fundraising, including designing, developing, and implementing major gifts strategies, with a demonstrated record of successfully closing gifts.
The candidate must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to engage, influence, and steward a wide range of donors and stakeholders.
Application materials should reflect a proven ability to raise funds, think strategically and creatively, and manage projects efficiently.
A bachelor’s degree is required

Nice To Haves

Experience within a major arts institution, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similarly complex environment is preferred.
Experience with donor databases and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite are preferred.
an advanced degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors in support of the Museum’s overall fundraising goals
raise support for the Hirshhorn through individual giving to advance institutional priorities
conducting prospect research
developing and executing strategic cultivation and solicitation plans
preparing proposals and gift agreements
managing donors throughout the full lifecycle of major giving
partner closely with the Museum Director and Director of Advancement to support their fundraising efforts
collaborate with finance and gift processing staff to ensure accurate recording, acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship of major gifts and pledges
manage and oversee select cultivation and fundraising events to deepen patron engagement, maximize revenue, and expand the prospect pipeline
developing programming that attracts diverse audiences while generating new major gift opportunities and strengthening volunteer engagement
maintains a strong working relationship with the Smithsonian’s central Office of Advancement, coordinating as needed on proposals, compliance, gift agreements, and stewardship strategies.