Sr. Gift Planning Officer

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 environment, this individual will be expected to coordinate efforts with unit-based development officers, central development professionals, and other University staff where appropriate.

Responsibilities

Planned Gift Cultivation and Solicitation

• Personally engage transformational and major gift donors capable of making gifts of $50k+ by conducting qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits.
• Manage in varying stages of involvement a portfolio of prospects and donors to ensure that timely steps are taken toward solicitation.
• 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.
• File timely electronic contact reports on donors and prospects contacted and participate in team prospecting analysis and strategy meetings.

Planned Gift Unit Partnerships, Gift Planning Expertise, Gift Planning Education and Other Responsibilities

• Provide gift planning expertise to Foundation staff and regional/campus/collegiate development officers, with assigned units and with individual development officers.
• Collaborate with department colleagues to develop and present gift planning educational programs for development officers, and enterprise wide.
• Maintain proficiency in the latest gift planning vehicle features and charitable gift law changes and use PG Calc gift planning software programs to develop gift illustrations for presentation to prospects and donors.

Gift Planning Marketing and Prospecting

• 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.
• In collaboration with gift planning colleagues, prepare and present to alumni, staff and faculty, and other audiences on estate and gift planning related topics.
• In collaboration with prospect development/research, marketing/communications and department colleagues, develop planned gift prospecting strategies, including identifying key market segments and implementation of targeted strategies.

Gift Planning Stewardship and Other Initiatives

• Initiate and monitor stewardship activities for assigned donors in portfolio, as well as in discovery and stewardship pools.
• Participate in annual Heritage Society (planned gift donors) event planning and execution.
• Collaborate with Donor Relations and development colleagues to facilitate stewardship activities for all Heritage Society members.
• 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)

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

Required:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum six years' experience in gift planning or a closely previous experience in gift planning or closely related field such as estate planning, trust management, or development/fundraising with strong emphasis on gift planning activities.
• 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.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and build relationships at all organizational levels.
• Ability to take initiative and function independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills including writing, editing, research and presentation.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred:

• Juris doctorate or other advanced degree
• Demonstrated leadership experience in either a professional or volunteer organization setting and campaign-related gift planning or major gift fundraising experience within a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated intermediate level experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with the University of Minnesota and its alumni.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements:

• Office environment including standing and sitting at desk, use of computer, occasional lifting of approximately 10#.
  

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 Range: $115,000-130,000 + eligible for 10% incentive opportunity; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 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:

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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).