Department: Development and Membership
Reports To: Director of Development and Membership
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Position Summary
The Manager of Individual Giving plays a vital role in advancing the Museum’s philanthropic goals by building meaningful relationships with individual donors and cultivating a strong pipeline for future major giving. Working in close partnership with the Director of Development & Membership and the Executive Director/CEO, this position develops and executes annual and multi-year strategies to secure individual gifts—primarily up to $10,000—while identifying and preparing donors for higher levels of engagement.
The Manager oversees a dynamic portfolio of donors and prospects and is responsible for implementing thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in support of annual operations, special initiatives, capital priorities, and endowment growth, all in alignment with the Museum’s mission and strategic vision.
Duties and Responsibilities
Donor Strategy & Portfolio Management
- Execute a comprehensive individual donor pipeline strategy, collaborating with senior leadership, trustees, and cross-functional teams to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at all stages of engagement.
- Manage and actively grow a portfolio of approximately 80–100 individual donors and prospects giving up to $10,000 annually.
- Personally solicit and steward donors through in-person meetings, phone calls, written proposals, and tailored communications—independently and in partnership with trustees and senior staff.
Fundraising & Program Development
- Expand and strengthen the individual and major giving program by identifying new prospects and deepening relationships with current donors.
- Develop compelling funding proposals and stewardship reports aligned with Museum priorities, including exhibitions, education programs, technology initiatives, acquisitions, capital projects, endowment, and unrestricted support.
- Solicit support for special fundraising initiatives, including but not limited to Art Alive, art acquisitions, special exhibitions, and the Museum’s Capital Campaign.
Collaboration & Integration
- Integrate individual and major giving efforts with broader fundraising strategies, including membership, planned giving, and special events, in collaboration with the Director of Development & Membership.
- Partner with the Associate Director of Membership & Development Operations to research, cultivate, and upgrade donors within the Circle group and other leadership-level constituencies.
- Work closely with trustees and staff to leverage events, tours, travel opportunities, and exclusive experiences as cultivation and solicitation tools, ensuring timely and strategic follow-up.
Stewardship & Engagement
- Prepare high-quality written materials—including case statements, proposals, donor correspondence, and impact reports—that communicate the significance and outcomes of philanthropic support.
- Support executive leadership, board members, and volunteers in donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship efforts; provide guidance and coaching as needed.
- Participate in the planning and execution of donor-focused events, house parties, tours, travel programs, and volunteer opportunities designed to deepen donor connection to the Museum.
Leadership & Administration
- Assist the Director of Development & Membership in developing and monitoring the major gifts expense budget.
- Maintain accurate and timely donor records and activity reports in the Museum’s CRM system.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of three to five years of professional experience in fundraising or a related field, with demonstrated success in donor cultivation and gift solicitation (or comparable transferable experience).
- Knowledge of the philanthropic community; interest in visual arts and/or museum experience preferred.
- Proven ability to build, cultivate, and sustain strong relationships with trustees, donors, community leaders, volunteers, and colleagues at all levels of an organization.
- Excellent organizational, administrative, and project management skills; a proactive, results-oriented professional able to manage multiple priorities within a strategic framework.
- Goal-oriented, self-motivated, and able to take initiative while maintaining focus on measurable outcomes.
- Strong work ethic and enthusiasm for donor engagement; availability to work evenings and weekends as required for events and meetings.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal, collaborative, and team-building abilities.
- Polished, professional demeanor and commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
- Experience with Altru or similar donor management software preferred.
Physical Requirements
- 20%-40% time spent sitting at the computer.
- Some carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds
- Some traveling by car (must have valid driver’s license)
- Occasional walking between two Museums sites within the park.
- Daily walking required to the Museum which includes stairs.
Work Environment
- Office space may be shared.
- Noise level ranges from quiet to moderately noisy.
Salary Range: $74,000 – $82,000 per year, based on experience
Deadline To Apply: March 15, 2026
To apply, please visit our job board at the following link. https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/3273A85D5F2FC58686D2500F3EEC1F9B/career-page
The San Diego Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the hiring of personnel on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, protected medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.