The Director of Gift & Estate Planning leads the strategic development and implementation of planned giving initiatives to support long-term philanthropic growth. This role is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors interested in estate and legacy gifts, including bequests, trusts, charitable gift annuities, QCDs and other complex giving vehicles.
Partnering closely with development leadership, finance, and legal teams, the Director designs and executes comprehensive gift planning strategies that align with the organization's mission and fundraising goals. The role requires building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals, professional advisors (attorneys, financial planners, and accountants), and internal stakeholders to maximize donor engagement and impact.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in planned giving strategies, strong relationship-building skills, and a commitment to ethical fundraising practices. This position plays a critical role in securing sustainable funding and advancing the organization's long-term vision.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:Directs Planned Giving Team and manages a portfolio of prospects and donors.- Manages a team of planned giving fundraisers. Coaches team members and holds them accountable to prioritize moves management, foster efficiency and meet their goals.
- Qualifies, cultivates, and solicits planned gifts such as bequests, trusts, QCDs and gift annuities.
- Qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gifts.
- Builds relationships and networks with financial advisors, estate planning professionals, and the legal community to promote planned giving at Boys Town.
- Acts as a strategic philanthropic advisor to donors to ensure philanthropic goals are met and their funding interests are aligned with Boys Town programs and services.
- Maintains files and records on planned giving prospects/donors in donor database.
- Collaborates internally to ensure donor charitable objectives are met.
- Assists in creation of materials and promotional strategies to communicate services and products.
- Determines cultivation time committed versus expected gift response, includes others who need to be involved in the relationship with the prospective donor, and decides the most effective and productive use of travel time.
- Manages and meets budgetary objectives in each fiscal year and is part of the budget process identifying funding for strategic goals and objectives.
- Manages a portfolio of donors that are located in a variety of states, thus will take 4-6 out-of-state trips annually.
- Participates in the long-range planning for the department.
- Provides expertise and support to Affiliate Sites regarding planned gifts.
- Hires, manages, and evaluates staff.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:- Advanced knowledge of all aspects of planned giving.
- An understanding of tax laws as they relate to charitable giving.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to accuracy and detail.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to utilize sophisticated donor database.
- Ability to maintain the highest standard of integrity, truth, confidentiality, and accuracy in work.
- Excellent organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
- Team player, with capacity to be resourceful and respond to a changing environment.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
- Minimum five years of major and/or planned gift experience required.
- Available to travel on donor calls required.
- Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record and pass an annual Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) required.
- Ability to provide own transportation to complete travel requirements of job; meet auto insurance requirements established by Boys Town policy and/or State and Local law requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Master's degree preferred.
- Experience within a complex, not-for-profit environment preferred.
- Other Duties: This job description incorporates the essential functions and duties required for this position. However, other duties may be required and assigned at times and as determined by a supervisor in order to meet the needs of the organization.
- Serves as a role model in carrying out activities and behaviors that reflect the values and principles of the Boys Town mission.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, EQUIPMENT USAGE, WORK ENVIRONMENT:- Position is relatively sedentary in a normal office administrative environment involving minimum exposure to physical risks. Will use office equipment such as a computer/laptop, monitor, keyboard, and a general workstation set-up.
