Director of Gift and Estate Planning - Grand Rapids, MI

Planned Gifts Fundraiser

The primary purpose of the position is to identify, cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward individual prospects and donors, targeting planned gifts for The Salvation Army, Great Lakes Division. Incumbents in the position actively participate in the implementation of the Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) philanthropic campaigns and plans, focusing on Planned Giving fundraising priorities and involving volunteers and other stakeholders in the realization of Great Lakes Division goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the position. Other job related responsibilities and tasks may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities that follow :

• Helps assure that the division achieves its fundraising goals in collaboration with others within the Development Department and interdepartmentally.
• Manages a prospect portfolio of approximately 125-150 planned giving donors and prospects as follows :
• Develops solicitation plans for new and current planned gift donors and prospects within prospect and suspect portfolio.
• Develops relationships with assigned donors and prospects through various cultivation calls, letters and handwritten notes, with an emphasis on successful face-to-face meetings.
• Completes an assigned number of significant contacts per year with donors and prospects from portfolio, ranging from 280 to 400 annually.
• Solicits and closes planned gifts in accordance with annual goals as set by the Senior Director of Philanthropy in consultation with leadership and the Territorial Planned Giving Director.
• Develops and writes donor cultivation materials, acknowledgements, volunteer solicitor briefings and reports. Produces personalized planned giving proposals for individual support.
• Contacts and cultivates persons identified through marketing efforts and relationships developed with Corps and Division staff, professional advisors and other referral sources.
• Coordinates and provides assistance in the design of strategies for cultivating and soliciting donors in coordination with senior staff, leadership and volunteers.
• Works with other Development staff to identify, qualify and research new planned gift prospects.
• Works with the Senior Director of Philanthropy, Executive Development Director and major gift staff as part of a team of fundraisers for the Division, including joint strategy sessions and other matters important for an effective development effort.
• Identifies innovative development, cultivation and stewardship activities; crafts new strategies and support planning that will strengthen the Planned Gifts Program over time.
• Assists in the organization of occasional events and small donor meetings for cultivation and stewardship purposes.
• Develops a documented plan to achieve endowment and planned gift goals from assigned portfolio.
• Prepares and submits statistics, reports and budget information to the Senior Director of Philanthropy as requested.
• Manages and executes other duties as assigned.

Staff Supervision :

Fiscal Management :

Working Conditions :

The majority of work activities are performed in an office setting and in the residences or work locations of donors and prospective donors. There are normally no hazardous or significantly unpleasant physical working conditions. A significant amount of time must be spent outside the home to complete essential work requirements position. The position requires frequent local travel, primarily using one's personal vehicle, to visit donors, prospective donors and other relevant contacts in the community within a predetermined territory of responsibility.

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Capabilities :

Additional Requirements :