Position: Gift Planning Officer

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

About the Job

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

1. Build and maintain relationships with a portfolio of assigned donors and prospects. 
2. Manage in varying stages of involvement a portfolio of prospects and donors to ensure that timely steps are taken toward solicitation. 
3. 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. 
4. 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

1. Provide gift planning expertise to Foundation staff and regional/campus/collegiate development officers, with assigned units and with individual development officers. 
2. Collaborate with department colleagues to develop and present effective gift planning educational programs for development officers, and enterprise wide. 
3. 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

1. 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. 
2. In collaboration with gift planning colleagues, prepare and present to alumni, staff and faculty, and other audiences on estate and gift planning related topics. 
3. 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

1. Initiate and monitor stewardship activities for assigned donors in portfolio, as well as in discovery and stewardship pools. 
2. Participate in regular Heritage Society (recognition society for estate and planned gift donors) event planning and execution. 
3. Collaborate with Donor Relations and development colleagues to facilitate stewardship activities for all Heritage Society members. 
4. 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) 

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

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree required. 
2. 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.
3. 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. 
4. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and build relationships at all organizational levels. 
5. Ability to take initiative and function independently and as a part of a team. 
6. Demonstrated excellent communication skills including writing, editing, research, and presentation. 
7. Attention to detail and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Preferred qualifications:

1. Juris doctorate or other advanced degree
2. 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. 
3. Demonstrated intermediate level experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
4. 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:

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