Faith Partnerships & Planned Giving Associate

Lutheran Social Services is currently seeking a Faith Partnership and Planned Giving Associate to join our team. The Faith Partnership and Planned Giving Associate is a full-time employment opportunity to support the Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan's Faith Relations and Planned Giving Programs. This role will partner with the Manager of Faith and Community Partnerships in building relationships with churches in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan by engaging with Lutheran church leaders and congregation members to raise funds. This role will also coordinate the organization's Planned Giving Program in partnership with the Director of Advancement and the Chief Advancement Officer by creating and executing a plan to build the Pastor EJ Homme Legacy Society for long-term support. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional professionalism and discretion; have a working knowledge of all Planned Giving vehicles and opportunities; and will be able to articulate the benefits of Planned Giving to donors, to the organization and our community over the long term. Both efforts will raise funds for Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. (LSS) programs and comprehensive campaign (Love Big) and the LSS Foundation, Inc. This role reports to the Manager of Faith and Community Partnerships.

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Faith Relations

• Works as a member of the Faith Relations Team, supporting the overall goals of the Chief Advancement Officer's vision as it relates to Lutheran congregation giving
• Supports the implementation of Faith Relations promotion and fundraising plan as directed by the Manager of Faith and Community Relations and reporting progress to Director of Advancement
• Serves as visible and enthusiastic leader for Faith Relations
• Supports each member of the Team holding congregations in their portfolio including scheduling, prepping materials, etc.
• Contacts past supporting and prospect congregations to identify church leaders that can support/approve a Loving Lutherans initiative in their church (often clergy, but could be other staff or volunteers) existing and potential congregations to identify decision makers that can approve a Loving Lutherans initiative in their church (often this is clergy but could be other church leadership or volunteers)
• Supports each congregation's efforts to raise funds for LSS which could include making announcements during service, temple talks, hosting an adult forum, and/or arranging a sermon (by self and others on the team taking turns based on geographic location, needs of the congregation, etc.)
• Keeps careful records of calls made to allow for coordinated relationship building and stewardship of each congregation
• Posts all activities and communications in Raiser's Edge
• Articulates the LSS "story" to best represent our mission and impact when visiting with congregation leaders and members
• In partnership with the Team, executes stewardship touchpoints for congregations giving to LSS
• Participates as part of the Team in planning and staffing Synod Assemblies and other events (led by Manager, Faith, and Community Relations)
• Provides support materials and guidance for program and/or leadership teammates or volunteers attending church events or meetings

Planned Giving

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, stewards, and recognizes a portfolio of Planned Giving donors and prospects
• Maintains a current working knowledge of all Planned Giving vehicles and opportunities and is able to articulate the benefits of Planned Giving to donors, to the organization and our community over the long term
• Cultivates relationships with, and provides excellent donor service to all Planned Giving donors and prospects
• Creates and implements a new stewardship plan to promote the newly created Pastor EJ Homme Legacy Society
• Creates case for choosing Planned Giving to LSS/LSS Foundation based on organization's longevity, adaptability to address social needs over time, and unique expertise
• Reviews list of donors that have already identified LSS as part of their estate plans (in your portfolio and others) and encourages them to document their intentions. If these donors are not currently part of a current portfolio, works with Director of Advancement to make appropriate assignment for outreach
• Utilizing Raiser's Edge database, identifies top prospects for Planned Giving and posts all actions and communications to the database regularly
• Assesses donors in other Advancement Team members' portfolios and supports their efforts to solicit a planned gift and/or documentation from their donors
• Evaluates each donor that expresses interest in Planned Giving to identify the best next steps and solicitor
• Serves as internal expert on Planned Giving opportunities and host training sessions for advancement staff and volunteers
• Participates in continuing education opportunities and remain up to date on current Planned Giving practices
• Other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS (Required of all employees):

• Must comply with applicable service regulations as well as organization and departmental policies and procedures.
• Must relate to people of varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, and economic circumstances with respect and dignity.
• Must support the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Organization.
• Represent LSS internally and externally as a servant leader in thought, words and actions

PERKS:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
  • Assistance navigating the PSLF through Summer
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Calm Wellness App - Premium Access
• Early Earned Wage Access with UKG Wallet
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Social Services or related degree required and at least 3 years' related experience, including experience in fund development or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ideal candidate will have experience working with faith communities as a volunteer/member or paid fundraising consultant and experience in Planned Giving vehicles
• A passion for human care services and specifically the ministry of LSS required
• Excellent written and verbal communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to serve as an articulate, enthusiastic, and visible representative of LSS required
• Knowledge of church policies and structures, particularly of the ELCA preferred.
• Track record that demonstrates the capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in charitable financial support, especially through Planned Giving.
• Prior experience using a database for donor records, research, analytics, and donor analysis required, experience with Raiser's Edge preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout our two-state reach and work weekends as needed to support fundraising campaigns in-person at church services.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

The incumbent of this position must have a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to communicate both in verbal and written format, effectively and efficiently in job.

COMPUTER SKILLS/TECHNOLOGY:

Working knowledge of computers to allow employee to access computer systems and applications to complete timecards, read and respond to email, and complete required on-line training. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required. Experience working in database environment such as Raiser's Edget/NXT or similar preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the worker is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboarding is required for this position.

The incumbent of this position typically works in an office environment. The incumbent will also be exposed to weather conditions when traveling on company business. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TRAVEL: Ability to travel on day trips including weekend travel as required up to 30%, some overnight travel may be required.

Lutheran Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).