Museum of Science and Industry

Director of Individual and Major Giving

Department: Individual Giving
Status: Full Time

Background

The Museum of Science and Industry Chicago (MSI), the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere, is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and nearly 14 acres of hands-on experiences designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. Since opening its doors in 1933, MSI has welcomed more than 175 million guests from around the world. The mission, to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational, is realized through world-class exhibits such as: Science Storms, the newest permanent exhibit revealing the science behind some of nature’s most powerful phenomena; YOU! The Experience, an exhibit that lets visitors explore what it means to live a vital, healthy life in the 21st century; and the U-505 Submarine, the only German U-boat in the United States.

Even bigger than the Museum’s mission is the vision, which is to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and medicine. In addition to fun and interactive exhibits, the Museum’s Center for the Advancement of Science Education (CASE) is continually developing and facilitating student learning labs, after-school science clubs, teen volunteer programs, teacher development classes and community outreach—all ways in which MSI makes science come alive for children and adults of all ages.

MSI provides a wide array of education programs including science teacher education courses, youth development programs and hands on learning lab programs. MSI brings science into neighborhoods for over 12,000 young children through a network of after-school Science Minors Clubs. Public programming includes daily live science experiences, facilitated exhibits, special access tours, science theater shows, lectures, live videoconferences and special overnight events.

The Museum is housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The building provides more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space and Chicago's only five-story, domed Omnimax® theater. There is also a student and teacher e-learning center with videoconferencing capability, an 800-seat auditorium along with two smaller theater spaces, and twelve learning lab areas for education programming.

The Museum has received numerous accolades including being named one of the Seven Wonders of Chicago by readers of the Chicago Tribune and also named one of the top 15 museums in the world by Life magazine's millennium edition.

The Museum of Science and Industry is just one of the nine Museums in the Park, supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago and the Chicago Park District. The Museum is governed by a sophisticated 80-member Board of Trustees comprised of top business, civic and community leaders. There are 14 committees of the Board and seven Advisory committees.

The Opportunity

The leadership at MSI is excited by the momentum built over the course of the recently completed $205M Science Rediscovered campaign, which exceeded the goal by raising $209M. The campaign focused on raising funds to realize the vision for the future to inspire the next generation of scientists by creating a new Center for the Advancement of Science Education, building spectacular new exhibitions and making important enhancements to the Museum guest experience. Going forward the Museum will continue to focus programmatic efforts on strengthening efforts to achieve its vision through already excellent educational, exhibit and interpretative programs.

While the Director of Individual and Major Giving is not a newly created position it is a role that the newly appointed Vice President of External Affairs has expanded to include not only annual fund but planned and major gifts as well as oversight of the Columbian Ball. The External Affairs team is charged with raising approximately $20 million per year. Of that $20 million, the Individual Giving team is responsible for at least $4.1 in annual contributions and $5+ million in major and planned giving pledges. The individual donor base currently includes about 1400 donors and the goal is to grow this to 4000 in the next few years. While there is a strong team in place, there is an interest in strengthening the major gifts capacity. In the Museum’s most recent past, there has been tremendous success securing principal gifts but there still exists an opportunity to build a pipeline of annual fund ($250 and up) and major donors ($25,000 and above).

With the fundraising efforts of the Museum on an exciting new trajectory, there is now an opportunity for a talented fundraiser to lead the individual giving efforts.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs, this position is responsible for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of gifts to the Museum from individuals. The Director will serve as a senior member of the External Affairs team; develop overall division strategies, as well as specific fundraising strategies and plans.

The Director of Individual and Major Giving will manage the major gift effort to maximize donor relationships and their financial commitment to the Museum. This will include overseeing and reshaping the current planned giving effort. In addition this person will manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects and ensure support for members of the Columbian Society, the Museum’s annual giving society for individuals and families. The Director will also oversee the Columbian Ball, the Museum’s largest fundraising event which is held in the Fall each year and includes working with volunteers.

S/he will also be responsible for managing the growth of the individual donors’ base in terms of acquisition of new donors, the renewal and upgrade of annual donors into major gift and planned giving prospects and supervise the activity of the individual giving staff. Planning and attending stewardship events that will appeal to the Museum’s annual individual giving donors is expected. The Director will also prepare fundraising and expense budget projections.

The Director of Individual and Major Giving will manage a staff of six including Annual Fund, Major Gifts, and Planned Giving. S/he will direct the Individual Giving team to sustain and strengthen the existing direct mail, telemarketing and personal solicitation effort of individual members and donors.

As a member of the External Affairs leadership team, the Director will, as appropriate, staff a newly created Development Committee that includes members of the Museum’s Board and President’s Council. This person will also serve as part of the Museum’s Management Team.

Candidate Profile

We seek a talented fundraising professional who has an understanding of and passion for the mission of the Museum of Science & Industry. The successful candidate will show evidence of building strong and sustaining individual giving programs. This person will have management-level experience and will be skilled in working with major donors, goal setting and assessment. Exceptional “people skills” including an ability to communicate in a dynamic, engaging way is required.

Experience working with CEOs, board members, and staff to set development goals; creating participation and follow through on contacts and activities is key. The qualified candidate actively seeks out new prospect and donor relationships, directs the cultivation and stewardship process, and is able to successfully close gifts when appropriate. Personal experience creating and implementing successful gift strategies and tactics is required.

We seek a person of the highest integrity who is a team player, results-driven and flexible. A person who is extremely focused and self-confident with a quick mind and high energy level is essential. A self-directed, resourceful person with a sense of humor is also necessary. The successful candidate will be a poised individual who is supportive, diplomatic, personable and able to manage multiple priorities.

Qualified individuals will bring have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of leadership experience with a specialization in major gift solicitation and stewardship, experience with planned giving and direct mail campaigns. Evidence of continuing professional education in such areas as planned and estate gifts and leadership development would be a plus.

To Apply

Please send a current resume and letter of introduction to Kittleman & Associates, LLC at resumes(at)kittleman.net.

The Museum of Science and Industry is an AA/EOE/ADA employer.