Planned Giving & Endowment Director

Organization Summary: For nearly 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. United Way is on a mission to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes.

 Working at United Way is an opportunity to help build a stronger, more equitable Southeast Louisiana for every individual and family. You’ll collaborate with coworkers and donors who are passionate about improving the quality of life for all communities.

Position Overview: The UWSELA Planned Giving and Endowment Director is responsible for leading UWSELA’s Gift Planning program, working to expand UWSELA’s gift planning and increase the number of endowment gifts, estate gifts, life income gifts, and blended gifts as well as increasing the strategic use of non-cash assets to leverage all giving. The Planned Giving & Endowment Director will not only manage a portfolio of UWSELA’s most committed donors but will serve in a leadership role on the fundraising team. Gift planning plays a significant role in increasing revenue and gift commitments to advance UWSELA’s mission for generations to come.

Planned Giving & Endowment Direct Essential Functions:

1. Develop, implement, and report on a short- and long-term strategy for gift planning that integrates the gift-planning conversation throughout the fundraising; increases the number of estate gifts, life income gifts, and blended gifts; and increases the strategic use of non-cash assets to leverage all giving.
2. Work with the management team to develop clear strategies, goals, and outcomes to cover gift planning activities, including the annual campaign and launch of an endowment campaign.
3. Work with the marketing team to develop and execute a gift-planning marketing strategy for all communications with donors and prospects.
4. Work with UWSELA’s finance team to oversee the management of trust, gift, and estate administration.
5. Implement and monitor UWSELA’s stewardship of all donors who have made current gift commitments to UWSELA through life income gifts and estate commitments.
6. Design and implement a training program for fundraising staff to foster gift-planning discussions.
7. Serve as a resource for the resource development team, to support conversations with the organization’s most-engaged donors and about complex gifts.
8. Manage a portfolio of 100-125 major/planned gift prospects, moving them through an ongoing cycle of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and working with them to develop individualized giving plans that maximize tax savings, personal philanthropic objectives, and gifts to UWSELA.
9. Participate in implementing appropriate recognition for donors, including methods for their long-term stewardship.
10. Remain current on changes in estate and tax law.
11. Record and report all planned gift results and bequest expectancies developed.
12. Collaborate with the appropriate hospital/foundation offices regarding the administration of planned gifts, including payment schedules, tax reporting, government compliance, and probate matters.
13. Build relationships with appropriate professional organizations at the local and regional level, including estate-planning professionals.
14. Establish and manage a network of professional advisors in the communities served by UWSELA.

Planned Giving & Endowment Director Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree; law degree is a plus.
2. Seven or more years of hands-on, relationship-based fundraising, three years of which must have been in gift planning.
3. A proven record of success in closing planned and major gifts.
4. A thorough knowledge of gift planning vehicles and tax codes related to gift and estate planning.
5. Strong computer skills, including all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
6. A history of attendance at professional seminars, conferences, and related training.
7. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with UWSELA’s internal and external constituencies.
8. A positive public presence with the capability of being accepted as a credible representative of UWSELA within the philanthropic and professional community.
9. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
10. A strong team orientation.
11. Excellent problem-solving skills.
12. Strong project management skills.
13. The initiative and ability to set goals and follow through with little direct supervision.
14. The ability to use good judgment and ethics in handling confidential materials with sensitivity and discretion.