The J. Paul Getty Trust, the world’s wealthiest cultural organization, has hired a chief fundraiser for the first time in its 30-year history, the Los Angeles Times says.

J. Timothy Child, a longtime University of Chicago development officer, will assume in June the newly created Getty post of vice president for institutional advancement.

The trust, which operates two Southern California museums, has net assets of about $8-billion, but President James Cuno said that despite its sizable endowment, Getty’s plans have “grown to the point where the expansion of our programs will soon outstrip the growth of our financial resources.”

Mr. Cumo said the development effort will mainly involve art research, conservation, and visiting scholar programs. He said he has told other Los Angeles-area arts groups that Getty will focus on reaching national and international rather than local donors, to allay concerns that the trust’s fundraising push will drain the region’s philanthropic resources.