Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving

Museum Overview

The American LGBTQ+ Museum (ALM) preserves, investigates, and celebrates the dynamic histories and cultures of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, as well as those of the emergent and adjacent identities among our communities. Using exhibitions and programs, we seek to advance LGBTQ+ equality through the lens of social justice movements, including, but not limited to, race, gender, class, immigration, and disability.

In 2017, the Museum was founded by a group of activists and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. The board and staff work to center racial, gender, and disability justice in all aspects of the organization. In 2021, a partnership was established with The New York Historical to house the Museum in a new wing currently under construction. In 2022-23, monthly public programs were launched, Ralph Applebaum & Associates was selected to lead the creation of the first tranche of exhibitions and digital experiences, and a $30+-million comprehensive fundraising campaign was launched.

The Museum is building its home in New York City because of its cultural context, its historic significance in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and its popularity as a tourist destination. However, its national scope for exhibitions and educational products will be reflected in a series of traveling exhibitions created with partners across the country, and a digital museum with born-digital and gamified experiences. We are planning an October 2027 opening for the Museum’s galleries in New York.

The Museum aims to:

• Educate our communities on the evolving and complex narratives of LGBTQ+ history
• Provide a physical space for LGBTQ+ people that fosters individual dignity and unifies across generations and differences
• Support and inspire a new generation of activists to advance social justice

Position Summary

Since hiring the Museum’s inaugural Executive Director and, subsequently, its first Chief of Development, the American LGBTQ+ Museum’s fundraising program has grown significantly. The Museum is now ready to hire a Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving to implement a comprehensive major and planned gift fundraising program, focused on soliciting and stewarding donors at the $5,000 and above level and new legacy gifts. This position is responsible for creating a robust moves management program, stewarding and soliciting major donors, creating a high-touch experience for current major donors and prospects, establishing a planned giving program, and supporting the Executive Director and Chief of Development in securing Five-figure-plus gifts. This position will also support the Chief of Development in their work with the Board of Trustees and Board Development Committee, and manage the Museum’s Founders Council. The Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving will be tasked with meeting multi-year revenue goals, including campaign goals, as the Museum prepares to open in 2027.

Essential Job Functions

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INDIVIDUAL GIVING

• Manage a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects and donors, and create a comprehensive moves management plan for each.
• Manage and steward the Founders Council, comprised of individual donors contributing $25,000 and above, and establish and execute a comprehensive strategy to grow this group of donors.
• Work with the Chief of Development on the Museum’s $30 million comprehensive campaign, and assist with managing the Campaign Committee.
• Draft and implement a tailored communication for major donors, including collateral, mailings, proposals, and impact reports..
• Plan and execute regular major-donor cultivation events.
• Plan multi-year revenue goals, and work closely with the Chief of Development on achieving these goals.

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PLANNED GIVING

• Plan and execute a life income giving strategy with a focus on bequests.
• Establish and steward the Museum’s planned giving donor circle.
• Work with the Board and volunteers to establish a planned giving advisory group.
• Meet yearly planned gift intent goals, and devise and execute a planned gift solicitation strategy.

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ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Support the Executive Director and Chief of Development on comprehensive campaign solicitations and donor cultivation and management.
• Work closely with the Senior Development Associate on moving annual donors into the major gift program.
• Assist the Chief of Development with the Board Development Committee

Qualifications

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EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of progressive experience in major gifts and planned giving with a proven track record of delivering results. Museum and/or cultural non-profit experience preferred.
• Proven track record in closing five and six-figure gifts.
• Experience with development CRMs. Experience with Bloomerang is a plus.
• Experience working on capital campaigns.
• We value candidates who can demonstrate how their past professional experiences will help them contribute to this position.

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COMPETENCIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with discretion, tact, professionalism, and diplomacy
• Project management and advanced organizational skills reflecting the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Self-starter who can work independently
• Strictly follows AFP guidelines and general fundraising ethics.
• Commitment to the vision and mission of the American LGBTQ+ Museum
• Cultural responsiveness and alignment with our values; commitment to equity and inclusion
• Personal qualities of humility and empathy

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for the given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

ADA Notations

• Vision requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Noise conditions range from quiet to moderate noise.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the American LGBTQ+ Museum’s Chief Development Officer and has no direct reports.

Compensation + Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position at $151,410/annually and comes with a generous benefits package. We do not negotiate salary as all our positions are compensated based on equitable practices. Please do not apply if this compensation will not meet your requirements.

Location + Travel

The American LGBTQ+ Museum’s offices are currently located at 45 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule with two to three days in the office and two to three work-from-home days.

Some travel is expected, including in-person board meetings, some partnership meetings, and museum events.

Workdays are generally Monday-Friday with some evening and weekend hours expected.

Inclusion, Opportunity and Belonging

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at the American LGBTQ+ Museum, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.