Legacy and Gift Planning Director

Water Mission; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe water solutions is seeking a passionate Legacy and Gift Planning Director. This full-time role focuses on developing strategic partnerships and implementing a comprehensive giving program to secure legacy gifts. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of legacy giving trends, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to the organization's mission. This position offers the flexibility of remote work or being based in Charleston, SC, making it an exciting opportunity for those looking to make a significant impact in the nonprofit sector.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in development and legacy giving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive legacy giving program.
• Manage a portfolio of 150 prospects and lead partner calls.

Skills

Legacy Giving

Financial Planning

Estate Planning

Data Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Law Degree

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge

Smartsheet

Job description

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than8million people in 60countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith andOur Christian Mission .

What is the opportunity?

The Legacy and Gift Planning Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive giving program to cultivate and secure legacy and asset-based gifts. This individual will create proactive strategies designed to nurture partnerships and facilitate legacy and asset-based gifts that accomplish both the partner’s and ministry’s objectives . The position will collaborate with outside consultants and vendors, collaborate with Marketing to develop legacy giving materials, ensure data-driven and purposeful approaches, and guide the Investor Partnership team on best practices around legacy and asset-based giving. This full-time position reports to the Senior Director of Investor Partnerships and can be based in Charleston, South Carolina, or remotely in the United States near a major airport.

A successful Legacy and Gift Planning Director will:

Christian Witness and Values Alignment

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve.
• Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
• Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions.
• Faithfully serve partners and prospects in keeping with Water Mission’s philosophy of biblical stewardship.
• Build and implement a results-oriented legacy and gift planning program, developing strategies to cultivate, steward, and expand legacy partnerships.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects generating 10-15 partner calls or visits per month, leading to growth in legacy and blended gift commitments.

Educational Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide strategic guidance and resources to the Investor Partnership team on best practices in legacy and asset-based giving.
• Partner with Marketing to develop physical and digital marketing materials, including a resource library, articles, and various campaigns, ensuring all resources align with best practices and reflect current legacy opportunities on Water Mission’s website.

Partner Stewardship and Relationship Building

• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with legacy giving partners, stewarding high-capacity partners and prospects.
• Engage with donors and their advisors to facilitate a seamless gift planning process that aligns with the partner’s and ministry’s objectives .

Documentation and Data Management

• Document and maintain information related to all communications and partner development activities using Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge software, enabling date -informed decisions, and tracking program impact.

Content Creation and Communication

• Create proposals, reports, articles, resource library, and other materials that articulate legacy giving and non-cash asset opportunities, ensuring messages reflect Water Mission’s values and mission.
• Represent Water Mission at events, as needed, to foster awareness and engage prospective partners.

Program Metrics and Evaluation

• Develop and monitor metrics to assess the program’s success and ROI, continuously refining strategies based on performance data.
• Partner with outside consultants and vendors as needed to support legacy giving initiatives and ensure program effectiveness.

Project Management

• Use Smartsheet to plan and manage project deliverables, establish timelines, and ensure ongoing progress, keeping all project status information current and accessible.

Organizational Knowledge

• Maintain working knowledge of Water Mission projects, activities, and operations; as well as legal, tax, investment, financial, estate, and gift planning news, changes, and best practices.
• Consistently interact with existing legacy gift partners to nurture the ministry’s strong relationships and serve those who invest in our work.
• Document and maintain information related to gift planning communications and program development.
• Receive and archive spiritual impact stories from partners. Share these stories with the Marketing team for use in publications and social media.
• Help implement and maintain technology to schedule and communicate with partners. In addition, use Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database to track statistical information and program records.
• Use Smartsheet to plan project deliverables, assign tasks, establish timelines, and monitor progress. Ensure project status is current and accurate .

What is required?

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and Core Values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Bachelor’s degree required and law degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5+years of related experience in development, financial planning, estate planning, or related field, with a focus on legacy giving.
• Proven success in identifying , cultivating, and securing legacy gifts.
• Deep knowledge of legacy giving vehicles, current trends in philanthropy, donor-advised fund, tax implications, and financial planning concepts related to charitable giving.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to clearly convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong data management skills; experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge and Smartsheet preferred.
• Willing to travel 20 to 40 nights annually, including visits to Water Mission’s headquarters in N. Charleston, SC, as necessary.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Home internet bandwidth strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the organization and ending the global water crisis.