Major Gifts Officer (Midwest Region)

Information about the organization:

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention. 

In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.

Information about the Role and the Office:

This position is located in the Midwest office (Highland Park, IL) of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (“the Museum”). The Midwest office is part of the Museum’s Development office, which is responsible for planning, developing, directing and implementing an extensive program to solicit, process, accept and recognize philanthropic gifts and bequests in support of the Museum’s mission.

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for soliciting gifts and developing fundraising programs in communities throughout the Chicago area and for related community outreach and cultivation activities in support of these programs to meet the priority needs of the Museum.

This position is located in Highland Park, Illinois and is hybrid telework eligible, within the local commuting area of the Museum worksite. This is a full-time donated position (non-Federal) paid with the Museum’s private funds. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Duties and Responsibilities for the role:

• Identify, cultivate and solicit current and prospective donors in the Chicago area, including multi- generational families, for annual gifts, multi-year commitments and planned gifts to generate sustained financial support for the Museum’s operations and programs.
• Develop and implement fundraising events and activities, including but not limited to: serve as primary lead, in partnership with the Midwest Regional Director, on the annual Chicago Luncheon fundraiser; personal solicitations (face-to-face meetings, phone calls, etc.); parlor meetings; other major events; and initiatives targeted at specific markets.
• Lead the Chicago Next Generation initiative to include: cultivation and stewardship of current and prospective donors; solicitation of donations; development and execution of Next Gen fundraisers and board meetings as well as creation and implementation of follow up strategies.
• Engage in cultivation, solicitation and ongoing stewardship of a strong cadre of Chicago leaders.
• Create or enhance programs designed to engage and steward various donor cohorts. Arrange for donors and prospective donors to visit the Museum and meet with appropriate Museum staff.
• Monitor and evaluate fundraising efforts and follow-up with current and prospective supporters to meet fundraising objectives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications for the role:

• 5 - 10 years of successfully soliciting donations and experience managing donors and prospects.
• Experience in individual face-to-face fundraising, with a demonstrated track record of soliciting six-figure and higher gifts.
• Experience with foundation and corporate giving desired.
• Experience managing fundraising events and post-event follow-up.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership and analytical skills; ability to be self-motivated and self-reliant.
• Proficient in Excel, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and database tools.
• Ability to navigate a client relationship management (CRM) system and independently access information about donors (i.e., look up recent donations, and giving histories).
• The ability to travel as needed.
• Strong project management skills.
• Familiarity with online event registration platforms.

Preferred Qualifications for the role:

• Familiarity with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Holocaust history.
• Four-year college degree; advanced degree desirable.
• 7 -10 years of successfully soliciting donations and experience managing donors and prospects.
• Proven success in fundraising and/or client acquisition, repeatedly reaching ambitious goals, and successful management and stewardship of a prospect portfolio.
• Leadership skills; success in partnering with internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfort working in a creative, problem-solving, results- and team-oriented environment.

Interested applicants, please submit a resume and cover letter.

The Museum is committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI). Please click here to view the Museum Statement on Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (PDF).

Benefits Highlights:

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum values employee wellness, work-life balance and the diversity of what this means for individual employees in life and work. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package for benefits-eligible employees that includes generous paid leave benefits, health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, a health savings account with an employer contribution, 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match and contribution, group term and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, commuter subsidy, access to two employee assistance programs, as well as voluntary critical illness and accident insurance coverage, long-term care and pet insurance options. Our policies also support telework and other flexible schedule options based on the job, work and team collaboration requirements.