Description
Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian. In 2024, we launched the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the largest fundraising campaign in the Institution’s history. The campaign, which runs through 2026, aims to raise $2.5 billion to support all Smithsonian museums and centers—each with a vision to achieve a better future for all. The Smithsonian is also raising support for a series of signature programs, events, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a signicant impact on the future of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans.
Requirements
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) seeks an experienced individual to serve as the Assistant Director for Advancement (Individual Giving) who will supervise staff to plan, direct, and coordinate fundraising strategies and activities for NMAAHC’s individual giving program. This program has a particular focus on high net-worth individuals and includes prospect identication, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to ensure the individual giving team meets overall campaign, annual and long-term revenue goals. The incumbent will maintain a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects, solicit gifts of $500K and up and prepare gift agreements, brieng packages, supportive materials, reports, and plans to the Museum’s leadership team.
The incumbent will cultivate productive relationships, develop, and execute strategies for engagement, present opportunities for giving, and complete the solicitation efforts with donors.
This includes all aspects of planning, development, and execution of programs and projects to meet annual fundraising goals.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful candidates will demonstrate proven ability to develop and manage a fundraising program in a major cultural, scientic, educational and/or non-prot organization, including the ability to navigate large, complex institutions. Ability to develop goals and plans of accomplishment related to individual giving. Proven success in securing signicant contributions from individuals through creative discovery and cultivation of productive relationships with prospective donors. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential.
A minimum of eight years of experience in progressively responsible advancement leadership positions, which includes work in individual giving and stewardship is required. A passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join a dynamic and growing operation should be demonstrated in your application. Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s degree is highly desired. Experience in education or a large cultural organization is preferred. Travel is required and work during the evenings and weekends may be necessary.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on 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 your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Benets and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benets. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to this link by January 9, 2026. 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. Relocation expenses are not paid.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualication and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualied candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’sAccommodation 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.
