Chief Philanthropy Officer

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.  

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.  

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution. 

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full time, 35 hours/week, approximately three days working onsite

SFMOMA’s Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) leads the museum’s robust and innovative Philanthropy division achieving more than $30 million in contributed and earned revenue annually to support the Museum’s mission to connect people to the art of our time.  

The CPO is an experienced strategist, team leader, relationship builder, storyteller, and fundraiser, responsible for leading a progressive program that attracts, engages, inspires, and yields meaningful long-term relationships with museum supporters. The CPO is responsible for the successful achievement of contributed revenue (annual, endowment, capital), and the earned revenue Membership and Rental Events programs. 

Reporting to the Helen and Charles Schwab Director and a member of the museum’s Executive Team, the CPO guides an enterprising and inclusive fundraising program, leading a staff of more than 40 professionals with ambition and creativity.  As an essential member of the Executive Team, the CPO supports museum staff and donors in being people-centered, guided by the Bay Area community and beyond. 

• Fundraising  
• Leads SFMOMA's fundraising strategy to ensure that the museum's contributed revenue goals of $20M+ gross annually plus capital, campaign, and endowment gifts are achieved through a diverse portfolio of initiatives and donors including individuals, corporations, and foundations. 
• Oversees the Rental Events program achieving $2M+ in sales annually. 
• Sets revenue goals, supports the development of business plans, and ensures that fundraising goals are met or exceeded. 
• Owns the trustee donor portfolio, including strategizing and soliciting gifts. 
• Oversees extensive project management, including holistic annual proposals, solicitations, payments, pledge reminders, and stewardship; carefully tracks analytics and performances; and regularly updates Director and Board leadership. 
• Guides and supports the Museum Director, Curatorial staff, and other senior leadership with fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship. 
• Participates and presents on strategy and progress at Board meetings. 
• Maintains a deep understanding of the fundraising field and is informed on local, national, and international trends and best practices. 

•  Administration 
• Develops and monitors Philanthropy operating budget of approximately $40M annually. Leads annual, quarterly and long-range revenue forecasting, and expense budget. 
• Oversees two of SFMOMA’s largest fundraising events: Art Bash & the FOG Design+Art Gala, including identifying and proposing Chairs, and guiding and overseeing successful solicitations, production and event content. 
• Evaluates fundraising activities annually to ensure quality, productivity, and relevance towards meeting goals. 
• Hires, develops, supervises, coaches, and evaluates team members and fosters a supportive, goal-oriented, and productive work culture. 
• Nurtures a high-performance team culture focused on leadership and accountability at all levels, continuous learning, collaboration, measurement, and goal achievement. 
• Plans and implements effective donor cultivation and recognition activities, special events, donor events, and volunteer programs. 
• Ensures that processes, procedures, and assignments of responsibilities are designed to meet fundraising goals efficiently, manageably, and effectively.

• Leadership 
• Serves as member of the museum’s Executive Team, providing strategic and operational oversight in directing the museum to fulfill its goals. 
• Fosters relationships with existing and potential donors to achieve donor goals of supporting SFMOMA's mission and contributing to the Museum programs. 
• Works collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer and Finance department staff in relation to the organization’s overall budget by providing accurate information and forecasts. 
• Advances the interests of, advocates for, reports on, and represents the Philanthropy division to the Executive Team and Board of Trustees.   
• Leads the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees. Strategizes and organizes quarterly meeting content including agenda and presentations. Works in collaboration with Development Committee trustee leadership.  
• Represents SFMOMA in the community on boards, at conferences, and other events. 

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional experience 
• Minimum of 10 (ten) years working within philanthropy/development with increasing responsibility 
• Minimum of 3 (three) years in a philanthropy/development leadership position with a track record of successful employee management 
• Strong knowledge of Bay Area philanthropic community required 
• Proven track record of effectively leading and developing teams, including setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback, and facilitating career growth 
• Commitment to expanding and diversifying donor bases by implementing innovative strategies to engage a wide range of individual, corporate, and institutional supporters 
• Demonstrated strategic approach to building relationships with underrepresented and emerging donor segments, ensuring a broad and inclusive funding network 
• Comprehensive program management skills and experience, including short and long-term planning and evaluation, philanthropy ethics and best practices 
• Strong adaptive skills that allow this position to work effectively across all levels of staff. 
• Experience and demonstrated results prioritizing and focusing a team on connecting, collaborating, and engaging with high-net-worth individuals for purposes of financial and or philanthropic engagement 
• Financial acumen for accurate and efficient portfolio analysis and budget management 
• Dedication to problem-solving, efficiency, and process improvement 
• Highly skilled and experienced in written and oral communication 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite required, familiarity with donor database software preferred 
• Entrepreneurial and creative; driven to innovate and improve 

Job posting open date: 10/2/24

All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.    

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed. 

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street. 

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.

You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.

You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.