Director of Advancement, National Children’s Museum
Noetic Search
- Washington DC
- $125,000-150,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Inspire children to care about and change the world.BACKGROUND
Steps off the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, National Children’s Museum celebrates the joy of childhood through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits and programs. The Museum is a next generation institution, combining a science center with an interactive children’s museum, that sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children under the age of 12.Founded as the Capital Children’s Museum in 1974, the Museum inspired and educated children and their families in the Washington region for more than thirty years in Northeast Washington, D.C. Renamed in 2003 with U.S. Congressional designation, the National Children’s Museum operated as a museum without walls for several years; serving the region through traveling exhibitions, partnerships with other nonprofits, as well as community and school outreach programs. After 17 years without a permanent space in DC, the Museum opened its new home at 13th and Pennsylvania Ave NW in early 2020.This unique institution combines science center learning elements with children’s museum experiences. Through twelve exhibit and programming spaces on two floors, the Museum sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children and families, as well as key donors. Each exhibit has a funding sponsor. Exhibit sponsors include Nickelodeon, Spotify, Amazon, PNC Bank, and Microsoft. National Children’s Museum also offers learning through play opportunities that are perfect for families, such as birthday parties, homeschool or play groups and school field trips.The current operating budget is approximately $6.5M, comprising earned revenue, philanthropic support and public funding. There are about 35 staff, of which 21 are full-time. The Museum is governed by a 22-member deeply committed and engaged Board of Directors composed of business and civic leaders.The Museum is an innovative institution that creates wonder and fuels innovation, and is a space where children feel valued. The Museum’s leadership believes that building a team and experiences that embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is critical to their mission, never finished and strengthens the Museum.THE OPPORTUNITY Combining science center content with a modern children’s museum, The Museum fills the void for early childhood education and science learning in Washington, D. C. and captures the curiosity in young innovators before career aspirations are created. Under the leadership of Crystal Bowyer, CEO since 2017, the Museum has finally been able to live up to its designation as the only National Children’s Museum. While the Museum is designated by Congress, it does not receive federal funding like the Smithsonian Museums and others on the National Mall. This has required Museum leadership to secure philanthropic support to sustain operations. Currently approximately 55% of the budget is generated through earned revenue (admissions, events, etc.) and the remainder through philanthropy.While National Children’s Museum opened its doors in the current building just a couple of years ago, the Museum is already planning to expand its footprint. This will require launching a capital campaign in the next few years. Additionally, the Museum will also be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2024, creating a special moment to build visibility and donor engagement. It is anticipated that the Museum will see 200,000-300,000 guests this year and has already hosted visitors from all 50 states. Since February 2020, the Museum has reached more than 7,000,000 people through digital initiatives. These digital offerings include virtual field trips used by educators in all 50 states, at-home science videos, and a podcast series with a 14% international listenership from 6 continents.Individual donors give a range of gifts from $100-$10,000. The goal is to grow the number of donors at all levels. Membership provides a strong foundation to grow the donor pipeline. Members receive free admission, access to special events, and a variety of other benefits based on membership level. A basic Family Membership is $225 per year. Since reopening in September 2021, the membership community has more than doubled in size, with over 2,000 current members from 27 states across the country. To date in FY22, the Museum’s membership program makes up 13% of all earned revenue for the institution.Growing the base of support from individual donors and institutional funders are key opportunities going forward. It is expected that the development strategy will focus on creative efforts to increase support from new, current and lapsed individual and institutional funders. With a strong leadership team in place and plans for continued growth and expansion, the opportunity is ripe for an entrepreneurial, collaborative, relationship builder to ensure a donor-centric fundraising approach resulting in continued growth of the Museum’s reach and impact.THE POSITION
The Director of Advancement will oversee the strategy and management of fundraising and membership. The Director of Advancement will report to the Vice President of External Affairs and serve on the Museum’s Leadership Team. They will be instrumental in supporting the development and implementation of the Museum’s strategic direction and play a critical role in inspiring millions of children and visitors for years to come. The position currently manages two direct reports: Advancement & Membership Manager and Advancement Coordinator.Oversight functions of the development department include budget preparation and adherence, preparation of policies and procedures, and execution of donor agreements to maintain regulatory compliance. Key Responsibilities:
- Create the annual development plan;
- Build a comprehensive five-year annual fund strategy that includes major gifts, corporate sponsorships, events, and planned giving to support institutional growth;
- Personally solicit and secure major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government funders;
- Expand the Museum’s donor base and network of supporters at all giving levels;
- Work with the Vice President of External Affairs and President + CEO to strategically grow the Board of Trustees and engage the current Trustees in fundraising and board development initiatives;
- Provide staff management for the Board Development Committee, and support other Committees and Advisory Committees as needed;
- Oversee all individual and corporate membership programs;
- With support from the External Affairs team, plan and implement strategic communications for advancement and membership that align to the Museum’s overall goals and values, including the Museum’s diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives;
- Develop, manage, and execute a suite of cultivation events, including but not limited to an Annual Gala, roundtables and panels, etc;
- Manage and support professional growth for the Advancement Team;
- Create a strategy for expanding Advancement Team as needed; and
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President of External Affairs and the President + CEO.
The National Children’s Museum is seeking a dynamic, externally facing leader with strength in growing philanthropic support ideally in a cultural institution, with science museum experience preferable. A deep commitment to the Museum’s mission, demonstrable knowledge and interest in the education and development of young people is essential.The qualified candidate will have previous experience creating and executing multi-year strategies that dramatically increase private and institutional support. Comprehensive experience completing capital campaigns, a successful track record securing seven figure gifts, as well as knowledge of and experience with planned giving strategies is a plus.The selected candidate will serve both as the lead on cultivation and solicitation as well as a willing and able support to the Vice President, President + CEO and Board members in their fundraising efforts. They must be an independent, strategic thinker, who is highly organized, personable, comfortable with public speaking, and will possess excellent written communication skills. The ability to enthusiastically communicate the mission, goals, and programs of the National Children’s Museum and articulate the need for the institution is needed.
The desirable candidate would have the ability to develop further in the role. Candidates who appreciate the cultivation and stewardship process and who can successfully close gift opportunities are sought. Skilled in goal setting and assessment, the successful candidate will be a results-oriented self-starter. The individual must have the ability to lead direct reports while engaging Museum leadership in philanthropic activities.
The person we seek will be an inclusive, empowering, joyful leader who will create a development culture within the staff group. While prior management experience is a plus, a passion for cultivating a team and providing positive leadership to inspire a team of professionals is required. Candidates with the ability to set the vision, get buy-in on goals, and create strong teams based on high individual accountability are sought.Qualified candidates will have experience in budgeting and forecasting revenue projections and will understand nonprofit financial statements. An ability to manage multiple priorities effectively is expected.
The successful candidate will have stature and poise to build relationships at all levels. The ability to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences is required. An entrepreneurial spirit and ability to balance short- and long-term priorities, a creative and energetic individual who is supportive, diplomatic, flexible, personable, and comfortable rolling up their sleeves are essential characteristics. The candidate should demonstrate a willingness to participate in the life of the institution at all levels.A minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience, preferably in the Washington, DC region is sought. Bachelors degree required, Masters degree and/or Certified Fund Raising Executive certification is preferred. Evidence of continuing professional education is ideal. Experience with donor database and fundraising software is sought. Familiarity and experience with the national cultural and education funding landscape and local philanthropy is strongly desired. Active participation in local business and social clubs, civic organizations and community activities would be expected.COMPENSATION
The salary range is $125,000 - $150,000 plus benefits that include:
- Health & Dental Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time-Off for Vacation and Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Commuter Benefits