Office of Advancement Career Opportunities

Join a team of fundraising professionals across the Institution working to chart the future of the Smithsonian.

Resumes are only accepted in applications for listed positions. Please send a cover letter and resume to oastaffing@si.edu. Specify the position title for which you are applying in the subject line.

Looking for an internship? View open internships with the Office of Advancement.

Open Positions

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 are launching 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 Smithsonian is also developing two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. These museums will share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be American.

The National Museum of African Art has one of the most significant collections of African art in the world. It is renowned for exhibitions and programs that challenge assumptions about the continent and its diaspora- bringing together historical and contemporary art, north and south, east, and west, in an ongoing conversation about who we are and where we’re going.

Key Responsibilities
The National Museum of African Art seeks a candidate to fill an Advancement Assistant position. The Advancement Assistant will provide technical and administrative support to the advancement program. The incumbent will be responsible for preparing donor materials; processing gifts and acknowledgement letters; administering various databases; assisting in the preparation and submission of proposals; planning and conducting donor and visitor tours and other special events; coordinating activities of advisory board and volunteer committees; and maintaining files, budgets, and correspondence. The Advancement Assistant reports to the Associate Director for Advancement.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Qualified candidates will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills, an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines independently, superior organization skills, and a thirst for learning. Attention to detail and an intuitive administrative aptitude are essential. Previous experience working in an advancement database such as Salesforce or Ellucian Advance is preferred. Experience in a large, complex non-profit organization ideal.

Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by August 20, 2024. 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. This position is a temporary position funded for two-years. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position.

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. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. 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. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

 

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 is also planning two exciting new museums. The National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be an American. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. This position offers exciting opportunities 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’s Center for Environmental Justice at the Anacostia Community Museum launched on Earth Day 2023 and seeks to create a future in which environmentalism is a cornerstone of civic engagement through which residents contribute to the development of healthy, equitable communities. The Center encourages a humanities-led framework that places traditional scientific research and data in the context of daily life. The Anacostia Community Museum (ACM) was established by the Smithsonian Institution in September 1967 as the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum in Southeast Washington, D.C. It shares the untold and often overlooked stories of communities furthest from justice in the greater Washington, D.C. region. In celebrating stories of resiliency, joy, and strength, the museum inspires those who visit to translate their ideas into action.

Key Responsibilities
The Smithsonian’s Center for Environmental Justice at the Anacostia Community Museum seeks an experienced, dynamic, front-line fundraiser to assume the role of Gift Officer. 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.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
The successful applicant will have a minimum of three years of fundraising experience. They must also possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with corporate prospects and donors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, grant proposal writing, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and the initiative and ability to work independently, and a mature and professional demeanor. Experience with complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Director of Advancement. Travel of up to 20% of the time is required.

Benefits and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery". Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by August 23, 2024. 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. This position is a temporary position funded through September 2026. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position.

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. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. 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. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

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 are launching 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 Smithsonian is also developing two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. These museums will share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be American.

The Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central advancement organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.

Key Responsibilities
The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Advancement seeks enthusiastic and detailed-oriented Online Fundraising Associate to provide support to the Online Engagement and Fundraising team. The position will assist with a full range of digital marketing and platform management functions including cataloging and editing donation forms, landing pages, and other web assets, making html updates to email templates, maintaining technical documentation, and supporting the OEF team in content research, drafting, data management, and other administrative tasks.

Qualifications
Qualified candidates will demonstrate strong written communication, organization skills, and attention to detail, as well as an ability to independently manage multiple deadlines. Basic HTML knowledge and experience working within content management and CRM platforms is required. Experience working within Blackbaud’s Luminate Online or Salesforce, as well as familiarity with project management tools such as JIRA and Asana, is strongly preferred. An understanding of mass market online fundraising within the nonprofit sector and experience with large, multifaceted organizations is also highly desirable.

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.

Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by September 17, 2024. 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. This position is a temporary position funded for a one-year period. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. 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. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.