What are the responsibilities and job description for the Gift Officer, Smithsonian American Art Museum (IS-1001-13) position at Smithsonian Institution?
Application Deadline: 5 December 2025
Department: Office of Advancement
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $120,579 - $156,755 / year
OPEN DATE: 11/5/2025
CLOSING DATE: 12/5/2025
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Moderate Risk, Non-Sensitive
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.
Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. It will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the Institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. This position offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and branch museum, the Renwick Gallery, is the nation’s first collection of American art and craft. The two museums offer an unparalleled record of the American experience as displayed in two national historic landmark buildings. The collection of 48,000 artworks captures the aspirations, character, and imagination of the American people throughout three centuries. SAAM’s mission is to share the stories of our nation through American art and craft to inspire reflection, spark dialogue, and build connection. To learn more about the museum, visit www.americanart.si.edu.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Museum seeks a creative and energetic relationship builder with a demonstrated record of success with major gift fundraising to join a mission-focused and collaborative advancement team that raises support for the Museum’s exhibitions, education, public programs, collections care, and endowment needs. The Gift Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals for major and leadership gifts. Duties include expanding the Museum’s donor community across the country; creating and implementing innovative strategies for securing major gifts; managing a portfolio of 125 prospects; organizing cultivation events; and preparing proposals and other donor communications.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; the ability to meet frequent deadlines; and arts and humanities knowledge and experience at a major cultural or national organization desired. Progressive frontline fundraising experience with a track record of achieving revenue targets required. The candidate must have the ability to staff evening and weekend events and travel across the U.S. approximately once a month.
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.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by December 5, 2025. 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 qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified 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’s Accommodation 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.
Salary : $120,579 - $156,755