The Director of Philanthropy (Director) will be a key leader driving NYSCI’s impact, locally and globally, by securing crucial support for the institution and its programs. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Director serves as a leadership member of the Institutional Advancement team and an active participant in making strategic decisions to drive forward NYSCI’s annual strategies for raising unrestricted charitable gifts. In partnership with the CAO, this position is responsible for strategic fundraising and development activities related to NYSCI’s annual gala, the President’s Council and the Corporate Partners program, as well as NYSCI’s Membership program.

The unrestricted fundraising programs overseen by this position present crucial opportunities for cultivating and stewarding major donors. They also serve as important platforms for raising the profile of the institution and crucial and growing sources of unrestricted revenues for the organization. The Director will use these platforms to help us strengthen our donor pipeline, bring attention to our work, and recruit new advocates to drive the revenues we need to keep this work going and growing. The successful candidate will forge relationships with NYSCI’s trustees, President’s Council members, Corporate Partner staff leads and other advocates to steward existing supporters and bring on new individual donors and corporate funders through these strategies.

NYSCI’s Gala — An Evening of Science and Inspiration — has a distinguished tradition of honoring top executives of the most forward-thinking and innovative companies operating in the science and technology space. The NYSCI gala aims to raise $1.7M+ each year, with the help of our board of trustees and gala honorees, whom we partner closely with to activate their networks in support of NYSCI.

NYSCI’s President’s Council is a diverse and dynamic group of individuals who are passionate about STEM. Our members provide crucial support, which sustains the core work of the institution and enables NYSCI to deliver transformative educational programs, develop groundbreaking exhibitions and experiences, and provide youth programming and mentoring that inspires the next generation to be STEM leaders. Through a series of small and medium events, the Council provides a platform for networking and engaging with topics on the cutting edge of science, technology and STEM learning.

NYSCI’s Corporate Partners Program is a way to engage on a deeper level with companies that support NYSCI. Giving ranges from $10-50,000/annually, and partner companies receive membership benefits to NYSCI for their employees, and depending on their support level other exclusive events and bespoke volunteer opportunities.

NYSCI’s Corporate Sponsorships raises corporate funding through varied activities such as naming opportunities, exhibit sponsoring, event sponsoring, and select opportunities to interact with NYSCI’s audience.

NYSCI’s Membership Program is a way to further engage with our visitors by providing additional benefits and experiences to paying members to make them feel more connected to our work, encouraging them to come to the museum more frequently and give them a reason to renew their support annually.

NYSCI’s Membership Program engages over 4,000 member households and raises membership revenue through digital marketing email campaigns, online solicitation, onsite sales, and member events, with a goal to increase net revenue and growth in the membership base.

• Work closely with NYSCI’s staff and board leadership to lead strategy for fundraising for annual gala, raising $1.7M+ annually. NYSCI’s board is deeply involved in this effort, and collaborates closely with staff to drive contributions at this scale.
• Steer strategy around the President’s Council with the goal of raising new and renewed gifts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 annually. Director shares responsibility for both the design and execution of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Support and provide oversight of Senior Manager of Corporate Engagement to lead strategy for Corporate Partners program for giving at the $10,000+ giving level and create a pipeline of new companies with mission-aligned philanthropic goals to expand the program, as well as a strategy that will develop a menu of various annual and one-time opportunities for Corporate Sponsorship revenue.
• Support and provide oversight of the Manager of Membership to lead strategy of the museum’s membership program to develop a growth and retention plan that will provide deeper engagement with museum members and also create a pipeline of new potential donors.
• Identify and research prospective donors, companies and key connectors, and develop and implement outreach strategies to engage them.
• Provide stewardship to trustees and other supporters and ambassadors associated with Gala and President’s Council activities.
• In partnership with Manager of Institutional Advancement Events and Engagement, conceptualize and carry-out donor cultivation activities, including NYSCI’s annual Gala and other events, including dinners, lunches, salons, and other tie-ins with NYSCI activities and exhibitions and corporate partner volunteer and special events (both independently and in collaboration with event vendors). Create personalized fundraising collateral, including invitation letters and follow-up materials for individual funders.
• Report to key stakeholders (staff, board, donors, etc.) on the efficacy of fundraising strategies.
• Coordinate with internal leaders and staff to ensure broader organizational strategies, messaging, and goals are integrated into all aspects of special events and projects.
• Management and oversight of three positions, Sr. Manager of Corporate Engagement, Manager of Institutional Advancement Events and Engagement, and Manager of Memberships.
• Other duties as required.

• 10-plus years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources)
• Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Proven track record of executing projects and meeting expected outcomes within budget and time restraints — particularly with respect to large events/galas
• Experience engaging board members in fundraising activities and stewarding board member relationships.
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside NYSCI
• Bachelor's degree required Master's preferred
• High energy and passion for NYSCI’s mission is essential

Compensation: Commensurate with education, skills and experience, includes an excellent NYSCI benefits package.

The salary range for this role is $110-120,000/year.

NYSCI strives to be an inclusive and equitable place to work. We work to foster diverse voices and perspectives, empower staff as problem solvers, and support professional growth for all.

The New York Hall of Science also offers generous benefits and perks for all regular full-time employees.
These currently includes:

• Health, dental and vision insurance options

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care and commuter benefits

• Pension plan and 401k plan

• Free life insurance coverage

• Paid vacation and sick leave

• 13 paid holidays off

• Flexible work schedules

• Employee Assistance Program

• Free onsite parking

• A hybrid work environment – 3 days in-office, 2 days WFH

• Professional development growth opportunities

• A collaborative, professional and supportive environment within the Institutional Advancement team

• Colleagues who are passionate about the different ways we provide engaging science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning experiences and the communities we serve

• The chance to see first-hand the work you are supporting by walking the floor of the museum and being inspired by the exploration and wonder of science experienced by our young visitors and their families!

Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@nysci.org. Resumes without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please include job title in subject line. No phone calls.

If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.

Since its founding at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has inspired millions of people—children, teachers, and families– by offering creative, participatory ways to learn and encouraging people to explore their curiosity and nurture their creativity. Located in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the country, NYSCI welcomes 400,000 visitors each year and serves thousands more through outreach in schools, teacher professional development and participation in a variety of public events and research initiatives.

NYSCI is a leader in the science museum field, recognized for its highly regarded exhibitions, programs, and products, all of which are informed by strategies of engagement called Design, Make, Play. The defining characteristics of Design Make Play — open-ended exploration, imaginative learning, personal relevance, deep engagement and delight — are the ingredients that inspire passionate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learners. NYSCI engages diverse communities of learners, particularly young people, in STEM, by fostering the excitement of self-directed exploration and by tapping into the joy of learning intrinsic in young people’s play. Our transformative model for STEM exploration invites broad participation and makes engagement and learning irresistible. NYSCI has approximately 120 full-time and over 180 part-time staff members.