At a Glance
- Tasks: Secure major gifts and build relationships with high-net-worth individuals and foundations.
- Company: Join the British Museum and be part of an exciting transformation project.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition entry, a Civil Service Pension, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in philanthropy while working in a prestigious cultural institution.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in major gifts fundraising and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the role
It is an exciting time to join the British Museum. Under the leadership of Director Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE and the Board of Trustees, the Museum is embarking on an ambitious programme of transformation through its Masterplan, a major redevelopment project that will reimagine the Museum for the 21st century while safeguarding its collection and ensuring public access for generations to come. As part of this vision, the Museum is preparing to launch a major fundraising campaign with a target of raising at least 500 million through philanthropy.
As Philanthropy Manager, you will play a key role in securing and stewarding major gifts from individual supporters, family foundations, trusts, donor-advised funds and other philanthropic partners. Working closely with senior colleagues across the Development team and wider Museum, you will help grow long-term relationships with donors, develop compelling funding opportunities, and support the delivery of ambitious fundraising targets for both revenue and capital projects.
About you
You are an experienced major gifts fundraiser with a track record of securing five- and six-figure donations and managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations and their advisors. You are a confident communicator and persuasive writer, able to build strong relationships and develop compelling cases for support. Highly organised and self-motivated, you are comfortable managing a varied portfolio of prospects, balancing competing priorities and working towards ambitious income targets. You bring strong judgement, excellent stakeholder management skills and a collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across a complex organisation.
Key areas of responsibility
- Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and supporters, developing tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to secure significant gifts.
- Support the planning and delivery of cultivation, stewardship and fundraising events, including the Museum's annual fundraising Ball.
- Raise funds for key Museum priorities, contributing to annual income targets and the development of the Museum's major capital campaign.
- Research, write and deliver high-quality funding proposals, reports and donor communications that are engaging, accurate and persuasive.
- Build strong relationships with donors, trustees, advisors and colleagues across the Museum.
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation-linked defined benefit.
- 25 days annual leave plus.
Philanthropy Manager - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
The British Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have opportunities to grow within a collaborative team while enjoying unique benefits such as free exhibition access and a robust pension scheme. Join us in London to be part of an ambitious transformation project that aims to secure significant philanthropic support for future generations.
