Individual Gifts Officer

Individual Gift Officer

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Individual Gift Officer advances the Museum's fundraising goals by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors capable of making annual gifts between $1,000 and $25,000. This position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, develops individualized engagement strategies, and inspires philanthropic support by connecting supporters to the Museum's contemporary art exhibitions, education programs, and community impact. The role also helps build a sustainable pipeline of future major donors, campaign supporters, and leadership-level philanthropists.

The successful candidate is a persuasive relationship-builder who is energized by connecting donors with the Museum's mission, and by securing philanthropic support through engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150–250 donors and prospects.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct regular meetings, calls, and visits with donors and prospects.
• Track donor activity and moves management within the Museum's CRM system.
• Identify opportunities to increase donor engagement and giving.

Fundraising

• Solicit and secure annual gifts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Development on donor strategies and portfolio management.
• Identify prospects for leadership annual giving, major gifts, campaign giving, and volunteer leadership opportunities.
• Support fiscal year-end, calendar year-end, and special fundraising initiatives.
• Assist with donor research and qualification efforts.

Donor Engagement

• Connect donors with exhibitions, educational programs, and institutional priorities.
• Participate in donor cultivation events, exhibition openings, and membership activities.
• Represent SJMA at Museum and community events as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university preferred, three (5) years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Fundraising, development, membership, sales, or relationship management experience preferred.

Computer Skills: Competence with Microsoft 365 products and project management software, including knowledge of CRM, specifically Blackbaud/Altru.

Other Qualifications: Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; prospect research and editorial efficiency; ability to synthesize information and compose clear and effective prose. Strong work ethic and self-discipline to work independently. Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignment when faced with many deadlines and competing requirements. Strong attention to detail and the ability to quickly understand and remember details about donors, museum exhibitions, public programs, and events.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other: Demonstrates a clear commitment to SJMA's values of Collaboration, Care, Curiosity, and Inclusion. Ability to work with discretion and diplomacy; excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills; organized and detail-oriented. Can be depended upon to report consistently to work at scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Notifies supervisor with appropriate notice when absent. Completes work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments. Follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own actions, keeps commitments. Interest in contemporary art, museums, and philanthropy preferred. Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

About Us

The San José Museum of Art (SJMA) is a contemporary art museum dedicated to inclusivity, new thinking, and visionary ideas. Founded in 1969 by artists and community leaders, its dynamic exhibitions, collection, and programs resonate with defining characteristics of San José and Silicon Valley–from its rich diversity to its hallmark innovative ethos. The Museum offers lifelong learning for school children and their educators, multigenerational families, creative adults, university students and faculty, and community groups. SJMA is committed to being a borderless museum, essential to creative life throughout the diverse communities of San José and beyond.

SJMA has been awarded re-accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), a recognition given to just 1,106 of the nation's 33,000 museums and SJMA is one of only 78 museums accredited in California. With its mix of self-assessment, peer review, and public recognition, AAM Accreditation ensures the integrity and accessibility of museum collections, reinforces the education and public service roles of museums, and requires good governance practices and ethical behavior. SJMA has been awarded Charity Navigator Four Stars and Guidestar Platinum Transparency, noting the highest non-profit distinctions exceeding or meeting best practices and industry standards.

Located in downtown San José, the Museum serves 100,000 people a year, including 30,000 school children, and is the largest provider of arts education in Santa Clara County.

SJMA conducts pre-employment, post-offer background checks in accordance with state and federal law.

SJMA is actively seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds. We deeply appreciate cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity, as well as different gender expressions and abilities. We encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, bilingual or multilingual candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we at SJMA highly esteem the diversity of individuals and the multitude of ideas, perspectives, insights, and values they contribute to our workplace.

SJMA's hiring policy requires all candidates to be at least 18 years of age. Due to the high volume of interest, regrettably, we cannot respond to individual applicants. If you are selected as a potential candidate, SJMA will contact you to schedule an interview. No phone calls, please.

Salary Range: $70,000 to $85,000/year