Director, Gift Planning

University of Illinois Foundation; Urbana (IL); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Wellness center

On-site café

Health insurance

Pension

Vacation days

Job summary

The University of Illinois Foundation is seeking a Director of Gift Planning to serve as the fundraising subject matter expert for planned giving. You will consult with frontline officers, donors, and advisors, manage a personal portfolio, and collaborate across the UI System to advance major and planned gifts.

The role requires strong knowledge of tax matters, estate planning, and gift documentation, with the ability to travel nationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5–8 years in fundraising or related areas.
• Demonstrated integrity and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and detail-oriented abilities.
• Willingness to travel and valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on gift planning and tax considerations to officers and donors.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors for multiple universities.
• Stay current with tax laws and best practices in planned giving.
• Ensure adherence to university and UIF standards; improve processes.
• Deliver training on gift planning techniques to stakeholders.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship-building

Analytical ability

Oral & written communication

Travel willingness

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION

has an immediate opening for an

Director, Gift Planning

The University of Illinois Foundation (Foundation) is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving organization of the University of Illinois (University). It works closely with alumni and friends, faculty and staff, corporations and foundations, as well as campus development professionals to create fundraising programs and opportunities that benefit the University.

This position serves as a fundraising subject matter expert resource in planned giving arrangements. Works collaboratively with colleagues across the three Universities of the University of Illinois System and the University of Illinois Foundation (UIF) to provide technical support and guidance related to gift planning. This includes consulting with frontline major gift officer staff, donors, and professional advisors on matters associated with charitable gift planning, gift planning administrative policies, tax matters, and gift documentation requirements. Secures major and planned giving commitments (both outright and deferred) through the management of personal portfolio. Travels nationally seeking major gift support.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides accurate and timely guidance, calculations, proposals, documents, and other assistance to development officers, outside advisors, donors, and other inquiring parties with regard to the technical aspects of outright and deferred gifts; including tax, estate, and financial considerations. Serves as a liaison from the UIF Office of Gift Planning and Trust Services to the three universities of the U of I System, including Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Springfield.
• Provides guidance to prospects and donors regarding charitable giving options as well as funding opportunities pertaining to universities, colleges, departments, and programs. Position will also maintain and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Through donor-initiated gift planning inquiries, gift planning marketing responses, and analytics related to gift planning, identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, andstewards gift planning prospects and donors for each university and alsofor own portfolio of prospects.
• Stays current with and maintains professional knowledge about tax laws, regulatory changes, industry best practices, standards and other technical aspects of charitable gift planning.
• Ensures that all University and UIF administrative standards, procedures and processes are followed, both personally and in guidance provided to others. Provides input intoimprovements and updates of department processes and documentation.
• In collaboration with University units, assists in the implementation of planned gift marketing strategies to prospects and donors and assists with fundraising campaigns.
• As appropriate and in cooperation with Advancement talent management staff, delivers training to internal and external stakeholders on gift planning techniques and administrative guidelines related to planned gift documentation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor's degree

· 5 -8 years of experience in fundraising, charitable gift planning, or related areas of law, taxation, trusts, or investments.

· Exemplary integrity, relationship-building skills, and interpersonal skills.

· Excellent analytic ability, oral and written communication skills, resourcefulness, and strong attention to detail.

· The ability to travel as needed to advance gift planning strategies and stewardship for staff meetings and professional development. Occasional work on nights/ weekends and a valid driver’s license are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· A Juris Doctorate (JD), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, and/or similar designation preferred.

· Experience in a Higher Education institution is strongly preferred.

· Related advanced degree preferred.

Application Deadline: November 22nd, 2026

The starting salary range for this position is projected to be $95,000 - $105,000 per year. While our job postings include salary ranges, your compensation will be based on your specific experience and qualifications—we're not limited by these posted ranges.

You’ll be inspired daily in our state-of-the-art, environmentally conscious workspace - a stunning LEED-certified building featuring contemporary amenities including an on-site wellness center and café with healthy dining options. We encourage work-life balance through our hybrid schedule for many positions, combining in-office collaboration with up to 2 days of remote work flexibility.

Your comprehensive benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental coverage, company paid life insurance, generous vacation time including 24 days annually, and more. Generous pension benefits are also included. We invest in your present and future wellbeing, providing the support you need to succeed.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER