Love nature? Then you’re going to love The Nat.   

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. The Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and completed a strategic plan focused on encouraging a love for nature, levering science and collections for conservation, and using our own voice to be here for nature. 

The Nat is seeking a Director of Individual Giving that will lead and implement strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, with a focus on major and planned giving. This role is essential to building a strong pipeline of current and future supporters. 

The position centers on developing meaningful relationships with a diverse community of donors to support The Nat’s annual fund, capital needs, and endowment growth. Working closely with the CEO and the philanthropy team, the Director of Individual Giving will design and execute fundraising initiatives that advance the Museum’s strategic priorities. 

A high-performing fundraiser, this individual will collaborate with museum leadership to create compelling, donor-centered proposals that inspire investment in The Nat’s mission.  

Responsibilities: 

• Serve as relationship manager for a portfolio of 70-90 prospects and donors- capable of giving at the $25,000+ level. 
• Develop multi-year fundraising and stewardship strategy for assigned relationships. 
• Actively engage in regular donor/prospect communication, cultivation, and direct solicitation. 
• Develop annual plans for the portfolio and successfully close gifts to support operations, mission-focused projects, capital needs, planned giving, and endowment. 
• Cultivate existing individual donors and encourage renewal, retention and increased donor support. 
• Collaborate with board members, other volunteers, and staff on identifying prospects and developing solicitation and stewardship strategies. 
• Communicate persuasively through personal visits, written proposals, emails, letters, and reports. 
• Collaborate with philanthropy team to ensure appropriate and innovative donor acknowledgement, appreciation, and recognition. 
• Participate in planning and staffing fundraising and other museum events. 
• Use development software, currently Blackbaud’s Altru, for fundraising “moves management” and to track and keep other staff informed. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of demonstrated frontline, individual fundraising experience, preferably in the environmental field. 
• Confident solicitor with a proven track record securing major gifts and stewarding donors. 
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team and with great energy and persistence.  
• Critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, presenting, and networking skills. 
• Planned giving experience. 
• Talented in written and oral communications, with the ability to articulate the goals, mission, vision, and values of The Nat. 
• Ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects and priorities effectively. 
• Possess diplomacy and discretion to foster trust and confidence of Board and staff leadership. 
• Strong facility with fundraising software and Microsoft Office. 
• Access to own transportation to visit with donors and prospects, mileage is reimbursable. 
• Available for occasional work events on weekends and evenings. 

Compensation: $95,000/yr

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums, and more.

A little more about us.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. Having recently completed a strategic plan, The Nat is looking forward to an exciting new era as it completes its 150th anniversary. We are evermore focused on innovative audience engagement and a strengthened role in conservation.

For more information about The Nat please go to sdnat.org.