Gift Planning Officer

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization is seeking a dedicated Gift Planning Officer to enhance donor engagement and increase planned giving contributions. This role involves building strong relationships with donors, providing expertise in gift planning, and collaborating with various teams to develop effective strategies. With a hybrid work model, you will enjoy flexibility while contributing to meaningful initiatives that support the University of Minnesota. Join a team committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where your skills will help shape the future of philanthropy in higher education.

Benefits

Competitive Wages

Paid Holidays

Generous Time Off

Low-Cost Medical and Dental Plans

Retirement Plans with Employer Contribution

Employee Wellbeing Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Opportunity

Employee Assistance Program

Continuous Learning Opportunities

Employee Transit Pass

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in planned giving or related fields.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for relationship building at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and solicit major gifts from a portfolio of donors.
• Provide gift planning expertise to development officers.
• Develop and present gift planning educational programs.

Skills

Planned Giving

Relationship Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Juris Doctorate or Advanced Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

PG Calc Software

Job description

As a member of the professional Gift Planning development team, this position participates in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors to increase both the quantity and size of estate, life-income, and other planned and major gifts in support of the University of Minnesota Foundation. In a highly collaborative team environment, this individual will be expected to coordinate efforts with unit based development officer, central development professionals, and other University staff where appropriate.

Hybrid Work Model:

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that all staff be onsite at least 2-3 times per week. Our office is located in McNamara Alumni Center on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.

Responsibilities

Planned and Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation

• Build and maintain relationships with a portfolio of assigned donors and prospects.
• Manage in varying stages of involvement a portfolio of prospects and donors to ensure that timely steps are taken toward solicitation.
• Make solo and joint (with development colleagues) contacts with prospects to counsel and assist them in their charitable gift planning; design and present planned and blended gift strategies and illustrations.
• File timely electronic contact reports on donors and prospects contacted, and participate in team prospecting analysis and strategy meetings.

Unit Partnerships, Planned Giving Expertise, Planned Giving Education, and other Responsibilities

• Provide gift planning expertise to Foundation staff and regional/campus/collegiate development officers, with assigned units and with individual development officers.
• Collaborate with department colleagues to develop and present effective gift planning educational programs for development officers, and enterprise wide.
• Maintain proficiency in the latest planned giving vehicle features and charitable gift law changes, and use PG Calc planned gift software programs to develop gift illustrations for presentation to prospects and donors.

Marketing and Prospecting

• In collaboration with communications and department colleagues, provide input to planned gift marketing materials and strategies, including: developing key educational messages, identifying target audiences, and selecting donors to be featured.
• In collaboration with gift planning colleagues, prepare and present to alumni, staff and faculty, and other audiences on estate and gift planning related topics.
• In collaboration with prospect development/research, marketing/communications, and department colleagues, develop planned gift prospecting strategies, including identifying key market segments and implementation of target strategies.

Stewardship and Other Initiatives

• Initiate and monitor stewardship activities for assigned donors in portfolio, as well as in discovery and stewardship pools.
• Participate in regular Heritage Society (recognition society for estate and planned gift donors) event planning and execution.
• Collaborate with Donor Relations and development colleagues to facilitate stewardship activities for all Heritage Society members.
• Perform other projects, committees, and task forces at the Foundation as assigned by supervisor.

Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment (exhibit 100% of the time)

• Continuous learning in diversity, equity and inclusion for oneself and team via training, podcasts, articles, etc.
• Seek to explore and understand cultural differences and create a culture of belonging.
• Develop and employ anti-racist practices and principles to accomplish work.
• Advocate for employees of all ethnicities, genders, ages and backgrounds.
• Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with employees, colleagues, stakeholders, etc.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum four years’ experience in planned giving or closely related previous experience in planned giving or closely related field such as estate planning, trust management, or development/fundraising.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex environment and to collaborate with gift planning team and other teams cross functionally and across the enterprise to meet donor needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and build relationships at all organizational levels.
• Ability to take initiative and function independently and as a part of a team.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills including writing, editing, research, and presentation.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Juris doctorate or other advanced degree
• Demonstrated leadership experience in either a professional or volunteer organization setting, and campaign-related planned giving/gift planning or major gift fundraising experience within a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated intermediate level experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with the University of Minnesota and its alumni.

About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $90,000- 105,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [e-mail] or call [phone].

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).