Associate Gift Registrar

Final date to receive applications: 13 March 2026

Department: Office of Advancement

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $70,623 - $91,815 / year

OPEN DATE: February 27, 2026

CLOSING DATE: March 13, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY

LOCATION:

Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Low Risk/Non-Sensitive

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.

Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history during the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. The Smithsonian has surpassed its $2.5 billion fundraising goal one full year ahead of schedule, a milestone that comes as the nation prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary in 2026. This achievement marks the largest fundraising effort in the history of any cultural organization and represents a defining moment for the Institution and the country it serves.

The Our Shared Future campaign has advanced the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian.

There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.

The Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian to accomplish their goals.

The Office of Advancement seeks to hire an experienced Advancement professional who performs a variety of operational activities related to processing and receipting charitable contributions to several of the Institution’s Museums. This position is part of a team that is responsible for gift registration and recording, gift modifications, daily coordination with unit colleagues regarding gifts to the Institution, and guidance to units on philanthropic giving vehicles including donor advised funds, family foundations, and IRAs.

This position includes daily communication with unit colleagues, careful entry and maintenance of donor biographical and gift data, preparation of daily bank deposits, gift reporting, documentation of process efficiencies in preparation for the transition to a new Institution-wide CRM, monthly financial reconciliation, and…