
Advancement Associate, IS-1001-09
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Department:
National Air and Space Museum
Location:
Washington, DC
Compensation:
$70,623 - $91,815 / year
Application Deadline:
31 March 2026
Overview Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. The campaign will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian is also planning two exciting new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—deepening our understanding of American history through the perspectives of Latino and women experiences. The National Air and Space Museum is finishing a $285M campaign that is transforming the Museum on the National Mall, and this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of the museum and the Smithsonian as a whole.
Conditions of Employment
Pass Pre‑employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Duties and Responsibilities Gift Processing
Review and process new gifts/membership, payments, and pledges recorded by the Office of Advancement. Identify discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions with the Gift Registrar, central office, Office of the Comptroller, and the Treasurer. Ensure transactions meet established requirements and deadlines.
Donor Relations
Collaborate with advancement staff to review layouts, copy, and content for invitations, solicitations, and donor/member communications. Edit and update correspondence, presentations, and brochures to ensure accuracy. Analyze donor/member giving patterns and assist with planning and logistics for special events and VIP guests.
Data Processing
Establish, update, and manage donor/member and prospect records in the SI advancement database. Monitor biographical, gift, and pledge information, run reports, and conduct foundational data research to support fundraising initiatives.
Research
Perform research on donor/member interests, background, and giving capacity using internal and external resources. Prepare donor/member profiles and organize findings to help match prospect interests with exhibitions, programs, and institutional priorities. Provide research summaries to support advancement strategies.
Administrative Support
Compile data and draft text for donor/member stewardship reports, recommending visual elements and statistical tables. Track correspondence and documents for timely action. Coordinate meetings, prepare briefing materials, and organize records and reports for advancement staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualification Requirements Successful candidates will have experience in administrative support and/or project coordination in the advancement field, keen attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong organizational, relationship, and communication skills and the ability to work independently are essential. Experience in complex higher education or a large cultural or environmental organization is preferred. Work during evenings and weekends may be necessary. Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must have foreign credentials deemed equivalent to U.S. institutions by a recognized organization; documentation is the applicant’s responsibility. Any false statement in the application may result in rejection and may also result in termination after employment begins. Relocation expenses are not paid.
Application Instructions Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resumes by March 31, 2026. Resumes should include a description of paid and non‑paid work experience related to this job; starting and ending dates (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review the Smithsonian’s EEO program information, please visit https://www.si.edu/oeo.
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National Air and Space Museum
Location:
Washington, DC
Compensation:
$70,623 - $91,815 / year
Application Deadline:
31 March 2026
Overview Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. The campaign will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian is also planning two exciting new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—deepening our understanding of American history through the perspectives of Latino and women experiences. The National Air and Space Museum is finishing a $285M campaign that is transforming the Museum on the National Mall, and this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of the museum and the Smithsonian as a whole.
Conditions of Employment
Pass Pre‑employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Duties and Responsibilities Gift Processing
Review and process new gifts/membership, payments, and pledges recorded by the Office of Advancement. Identify discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions with the Gift Registrar, central office, Office of the Comptroller, and the Treasurer. Ensure transactions meet established requirements and deadlines.
Donor Relations
Collaborate with advancement staff to review layouts, copy, and content for invitations, solicitations, and donor/member communications. Edit and update correspondence, presentations, and brochures to ensure accuracy. Analyze donor/member giving patterns and assist with planning and logistics for special events and VIP guests.
Data Processing
Establish, update, and manage donor/member and prospect records in the SI advancement database. Monitor biographical, gift, and pledge information, run reports, and conduct foundational data research to support fundraising initiatives.
Research
Perform research on donor/member interests, background, and giving capacity using internal and external resources. Prepare donor/member profiles and organize findings to help match prospect interests with exhibitions, programs, and institutional priorities. Provide research summaries to support advancement strategies.
Administrative Support
Compile data and draft text for donor/member stewardship reports, recommending visual elements and statistical tables. Track correspondence and documents for timely action. Coordinate meetings, prepare briefing materials, and organize records and reports for advancement staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualification Requirements Successful candidates will have experience in administrative support and/or project coordination in the advancement field, keen attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong organizational, relationship, and communication skills and the ability to work independently are essential. Experience in complex higher education or a large cultural or environmental organization is preferred. Work during evenings and weekends may be necessary. Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must have foreign credentials deemed equivalent to U.S. institutions by a recognized organization; documentation is the applicant’s responsibility. Any false statement in the application may result in rejection and may also result in termination after employment begins. Relocation expenses are not paid.
Application Instructions Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resumes by March 31, 2026. Resumes should include a description of paid and non‑paid work experience related to this job; starting and ending dates (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review the Smithsonian’s EEO program information, please visit https://www.si.edu/oeo.
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