Director of Gift Planning

The Director of Gift Planning is responsible for leading and advancing the gift planning program at Lafayette College through strategic donor engagement, cultivation of new prospects, and stewardship of legacy donors. The Director of Gift Planning is a member of the leadership team and is responsible for leading efforts to secure planned gifts, including bequests, charitable trusts, annuities, and other complex deferred gifts. This position works closely with donors, advisors, and internal stakeholders to develop strategies for growing the planned giving pipeline and ensuring alignment with the institution’s fundraising goals. This position plays a critical role in advancing the institution’s long-term financial goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive gift planning program, including marketing, donor cultivation, and stewardship strategies.
• Build and manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, managing those donors/prospects through the donor engagement cycle, including conducting solicitations and closing gifts.
• Collaborate with the vice president, frontline fundraising staff, alumni and family engagement, and other advancement team members to integrate planned giving into overall fundraising strategies.
• Provide technical expertise on gift vehicles such as bequests, charitable remainder trusts, donor-advised funds, life insurance, and real estate.
• Prepare personalized gift proposals and provide donors and advisors with accurate information on tax and financial implications of planned gifts.
• Oversee marketing initiatives for planned giving, including mailings, digital campaigns, and donor recognition efforts.
• Manage relationships with estate executors, attorneys, and financial advisors to ensure proper administration of realized gifts.
• Monitor trends in planned giving and tax law, providing training and guidance to staff on gift planning best practices.
• Track and report on planned giving metrics, including portfolio activity, solicitations, and gift expectancies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in law, finance, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of fundraising experience, including a focus on planned giving or complex gifts.
• Thorough knowledge of gift planning vehicles, IRS regulations and tax law, and financial planning concepts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to translate complex gift planning concepts into clear, relatable language to educate and inspire colleagues and prospective donors about the transformative potential of planned giving.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and fundraising software.
• Experience working on comprehensive campaigns or large-scale fundraising initiatives.

Working conditions/physical requirements:

• Work is conducted in an office setting with significant travel required;

• The ability to work some weekends and nights both on and off campus are a requirement of the job.

Please provide a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references. http://apply.interfolio.com/159977

Lafayette College is committed to creating a diverse community: one that is inclusive and responsive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. The College seeks to promote diversity in its many manifestations. These include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and place of origin. All members of the College community share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced.