Director, Institutional Giving

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 Director, Institutional Giving creates strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate, foundation, and government prospects and donors for the Museum. This role will lead a team charged with raising restricted and unrestricted funding that supports sponsorships, foundation, and government grants and corporate membership.

This is a hybrid position that requires occasional weekend and evening special event availability.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual strategy to meet the Museum’s institutional giving goals including sponsorship, corporate membership, foundation annual fund and restricted giving.
• Directly manage a portfolio of at least 60 active institutional giving accounts.
• Lead foundation and government fundraising, including donor cultivation, proposal and report writing, and income tracking and reporting.
• Work with leadership to set annual revenue targets for all areas related to institutional giving.
• Collaborate with leadership team to develop strategies, goals and procedures to create a culture of giving and ensure successful achievement of team goals.
• Provide direct supervision to foundation/corporate giving officers, ensuring that they are meeting their quarterly goals for revenues and moves management.
• Partner interdepartmentally to align with the Museum's priorities and programs with funder's objectives.
• Oversee team working with city, state, and federal agencies maintaining awareness of upcoming RFPs and identify possible funding opportunities; and leverage relationships for events and causes for the Museum.
• Manage staffing needs for donor related events such as calls, Museum visits, and communications incorporating senior staff and volunteers.
• Supervise all events and activities related to institutional giving.
• Manage institutional giving team, ensuring the processes and workflows of institutional giving department are maintained.
• Ensure the development of sponsorship proposals and reports; letters of inquiry, grant proposals, impact reports and other essential communications are achieved.
• Create, maintain, and adhere to a calendar of proposal, renewal, and reporting deadlines.
• Manage the budget for corporate, government, and foundation giving.
• Arrange, coordinate, and facilitate site visits as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with seven (7) to nine (9) years' related experience including experience with solicitation of institutional donors.
• Proven experience in successfully preparing proposals, goal-setting and assessing the capacity of a prospective donor.
• Exceptional relational skills including the ability to communicate written and orally in a dynamic and engaging way.
• Major gift experience, including experience soliciting gifts of $500,000 or more.
• Experience working with high-level volunteers, donors and program staff on collaborative activities.
• Demonstrated experience securing and managing grants and sponsorships.
• Ability to seek out new institutional giving relationships.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Language :
  • Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
• Mathematical :
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, basic math figures and amounts.
• 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, 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, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 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.

The salary range for this position is $115,000 - $130,000.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 Company Holidays
• 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
• Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
• Free onsite garage parking

Position created on June 3rd, 2025.

Our Inclusion and Belonging Statement

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.