Manager, Planned Giving & Legacy Engagement

Catholic Extension Society; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Extension Society in Chicago, IL, seeks a Manager of Planned Giving & Legacy Engagement to lead the organization's planned giving program and attract bequest gifts. You will collaborate with regional directors to strengthen relationships with top donors and grow Legacy Club memberships.

The ideal candidate will have five years of planned giving experience, a bachelor’s degree, strong writing and relationship skills, and a willingness to travel one-third of the time to engage donors

Qualifications

• Five+ years of planned giving experience in a nonprofit environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Knowledge of trends and best practices in planned giving.
• Ability to travel at least one-third of the time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Catholic Extension Society's planned giving strategy.
• Reach out to existing donors to steward and cultivate bequest commitments.
• Maintain an annual target of 35 new Legacy Club members and 150 donor visits.
• Coordinate activities to attract 100+ new Legacy Club commitments annually.
• Prepare accurate proposals, communications, and stewardship reports.
• Develop donor strategies and dashboards to track progress.
• Collaborate with regional directors to support blended (major and planned) gift asks.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Donor engagement

Planned giving trends

Project management

Prioritization

Process improvement

Writing and editing

PG Calc software

MS Office

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PG Calc

Microsoft Office

Job description

Founded in 1905, Catholic Extension Society's mission is to work in solidarity with people to build vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities in the poorest regions of America. The organization accomplishes this by strategically partnering with dioceses to build facilities, educate leaders, and support essential ministries in under-resourced areas. With its high-touch and innovative approach, Catholic Extension Society helps Catholic communities build their capacity to inspire hope and drive positive change.

Our initiatives span from southern border ministries and post-hurricane rebuilding in Puerto Rico to campus ministry support and scholarships for lay and ordained Catholic leaders at major Catholic universities. In the past 10 years alone, our collective programs and partnerships had an economic impact exceeding $1 billion across 40 U.S. states and territories.

To sustain this vital mission, Catholic Extension Society raises $25–30 million annually from 25,000 donors through a comprehensive development program with diverse revenue streams. For more information on our impact, see our Annual Report.

Headquartered in Chicago, the organization has a staff of 50+ professionals working in the main office and regional locations. The team thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong culture of collaboration and mission focus.

WHY JOIN US?

National Mission, Local Impact – Be part of a powerful mission that strengthens Catholic faith communities in under-resourced areas across the United States. Experience firsthand how strategic funding and thoughtful partnerships transform lives and parishes.

Dynamic Culture – Join a high-performing, purpose-driven team in downtown Chicago.

We foster collaboration, move with intention, and celebrate the impact of our shared work.

Legacies with Impact – Planned gifts ensure that the work happening today continues for generations to come. Each one reflects a donor’s deepest values and their hope for the future of the Church. If you find meaning in helping people shape a legacy of faith, this role may be for you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Manager, Planned Giving & Legacy Engagement will be responsible for developing strategy and providing leadership for the organization’s overall planned giving program, including all efforts to attract bequest intentions and other planned gifts. Collaboration with regional directors of development who maintain relationships with our top donors is an important aspect of the role.

Donors who include Catholic Extension Society in their estate plan are recognized as members of Catholic Extension Society’s Legacy Club. Planned giving has traditionally been a major source of revenue for Catholic Extension Society and represents our greatest opportunity for the future.

In directing and executing Catholic Extension Society’s planned giving strategy, the Manager will reach out directly to existing donors currently identified as strong planned giving prospects. Often these are annual giving donors at lower levels who give consistently and loyally over many years. The purpose of the outreach is to steward these donors and cultivate a stronger relationship to facilitate and close new planned gift commitments.

The Manager will maintain an individual target to confirm at least 35 new Legacy Club members annually through virtual and in-person interaction. The role also carries an expectation of 150 donor visits per year, virtual or in person. Personal interactions with prospective donors will encompass discovery, qualification, philanthropic interests, family considerations, giving preferences, estate-planning goals, and gift recognition preferences.

Additionally, the Manager will be expected to coordinate the activities that will enable Catholic Extension Society to attract 100 or more new Legacy Club commitments annually. This will include targeted annual surveys and broad-based donor marketing efforts, as well as planning and facilitating planned giving efforts by other team members and reporting progress.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of Catholic Extension Society’s regional and national funding initiatives to articulate the organization’s mission and special initiatives.
• Maximize Catholic Extension Society’s robust lead generation process to uncover prospective planned giving donors. Serve as the main point of contact with strategic partners who provide planned giving marketing and lead generation services.
• Support the efforts of regional directors of development to attract planned gifts by providing content for blended (major and planned) gift asks and by helping to develop customized donor strategies.
• Prepare accurate proposals, communications, and stewardship reports within established guidelines.
• Develop differentiated stewardship plans for anonymous members, long-standing members, recently confirmed members, and other Legacy Club members with significant or complex commitments.
• Develop written or CRM-based strategies for prioritizing prospective planned gift donors, including relationship objectives and plans for moving them through the gift cycle.
• Maintain regular contact with documented Legacy Club donors to optimize realized planned giving revenues from revocable donor commitments.
• Engage donors’ legal, tax, financial, and estate-planning advisors as appropriate and with the donor’s permission.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and helpful resource to donors and staff concerning current planned giving vehicles as well as related opportunities and potential benefits.
• Work with other development staff to maintain the integrity of the national donor base.
• Help develop dashboards to track progress toward established goals and the overall health of the planned giving program.
• Be a role model for integrity, fiscal responsibility, ethical behavior, and managerial excellence that supports the mission of Catholic Extension Society.
• Support the mission, vision, and values of Catholic Extension Society and show appreciation for and a general understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Travel and Location

The role requires travel at least one-third of the time. Catholic Extension Society has its largest concentration of prospects in the Midwest, followed by the Northeast and Florida. The position is based in Chicago, IL.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

We are seeking a results-oriented professional with at least five years of planned giving experience in a midsize or larger nonprofit environment. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Professional Experience and Skills

• A strategic thinker who can translate goals into practical, measurable plans
• Confidence in initiating contact with donors and engaging them in meaningful conversations, including gift conversations
• Current knowledge of trends and best practices in planned giving, and a dedication to continued learning
• Business acumen and strong planning, organizational, and project management skills, with close attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with resourcefulness and initiative
• A commitment to process improvement and openness to new tools, approaches, and technology that enhance results
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Working knowledge of PG Calc software and proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel at least one-third of the time

Personal Qualities and Mission Commitment

• Strong listening and relationship-building skills, with the ability to earn the trust of donors and colleagues
• Deep respect for donors, outstanding follow-through, and discretion in handling sensitive personal, financial, family, and estate information
• A collaborative, collegial team player who also works effectively independently
• Comfortable with ambiguity and proactive in making decisions
• A commitment to and understanding of the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church, with sensitivity to serving faith-based communities
• Driven yet flexible, with a positive attitude, humility, and a sense of humor