Major Gifts Officer - Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago, IL 60637
About the Job
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 Major Gifts Officer is responsible for helping meet annual contributed revenue goals for the major giving and individual donor programs. This role will cultivate, solicit, and steward donors targeting gifts in the $10,000 range on behalf of the Museum.
This is a hybrid position that requires occasional weekend and special event availability.
Responsibilities
- Cultivate and manage a portfolio of major gift donors, spending a least 50% of their time on donor visits and outreach.
- Collaborate with a team of fundraisers to support institutional growth and meeting the institution's strategic goals.
- Develop and submit major gift requests to individuals, some private foundations or corporations with a focus on donors giving five to seven-figure gifts.
- Help expand individual giving and stewardship programs for Annual Fund and Rosenwald Society (planned giving)
- Develop strategies for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major giving prospects.
- Utilize best practice moves management systems to develop the donor pipeline.
- Follow a comprehensive stewardship program to recognize and show gratitude to donors.
- Maintain knowledge of research tools to support the development of donor portfolio.
- Prepare fundraising reports and budget projects as needed.
- Support all fundraising events including annual fund events, special major donor events, Columbian Ball, Black Creativity, and other events as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of five (5) years' fundraising experience with a track record of successfully securing gifts.
- Exceptional communication skills, both orally and written, to communicate in a dynamic and engaging way.
- Robust history of securing major gifts, seeking out new relationships, facilitating the cultivation and stewardship process.
- Strong collaborator who is able to effectively communicate with colleagues across the Museum.
- Values kindness and acts with respect and empathy.
- Excellent organizational skills and able 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 evening or weekend events.
- Local and domestic travel required.
- Language:
- Ability to read 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, diagram, 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, or crouch.
- 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.
Our DEAI Mission
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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