Associate Director of Gift Planning

Posted Feb. 14, 2023 and updated Feb. 25, 2023

Organizational Summary

Reports to: Gift Planning Director

Works closely with: Development and Finance colleagues, Donors & Prospects, Estate Executors & Trustees

Job Summary

Washington National Cathedral is seeking an engaged individual to join our highly collaborative Development Department as the Associate Director of Gift Planning. Working closely with the Gift Planning Director, this person will have primary responsibility for cultivating, stewarding and soliciting gift planning prospects and donors, and estate administration.

Washington National Cathedral has a successful and growing planned giving program with a committed and age-appropriate local and national constituency. Our donor base of both religious and secular donors is extremely engaged, and has recently increased in size due to online worship service attendance during the pandemic. Washington National Cathedral is looking to institutionalize and expand the planned giving program for the long term.

Washington National Cathedral is seeking someone who is enthusiastic, self-motivated, can function independently, loves planned giving, and enjoys working with seniors.

Duties and Responsibilities

Outreach and Relationship Management

  • Manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding them effectively.
  • Respond to prospect inquiries by preparing appropriate communications/proposals, following up and developing inquiries into estate or other gift commitments.
  • In partnership with Associate Director of Research, support prospect discovery pipeline efforts to grow and convert leads into long-term gifts.
  • Attend special events, periodic worship services and evening programs, especially as they relate to donor engagement activities.
  • Document donor interactions in Raiser’s Edge in a timely manner.

Estate Administration

  • Serve as primary lead for estate administration and related correspondence for an average of 35+ new estates opened annually.
  • Obtain and review all necessary documents to properly administer estates for the Cathedral
  • Work closely with executors, trustees and Cathedral legal, Development and Finance colleagues address estate administration issues that inevitably arise
  • Ensure that the Cathedral is able to obtain all revenue that is due in a timely and effective manner.
  • Use Raiser’s Edge database to maintain up-to-date records
  • Implement an estate administration tracking system external to Raiser’s Edge to ensure the key information is obtained at a point when it is possible to obtain this information, in order to properly track open estates,
  • Identify & ensure acknowledgement letters to surviving family members when appropriate, working with other staff as appropriate
  • Work to meet the needs of the Finance Department and to allow for longer-term analytical and forecasting purposes.

Program Planning & Reporting

  • Work with the Director of Gift Planning to develop an annual work plan, including donor focused goals; ensure integration with annual fund and stewardship programs.
  • In collaboration with Gift Planning Director and Annual Fund Director, advise on strategy and content for planning giving marketing efforts.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Director of Operations to develop a suite of reports required to analyze results, inform decision-making and measure progress against benchmarks.
  • In collaboration with the Gift Planning Director and Stewardship Team, advise on one-time and recurring engagement opportunities for Legacy Society members.
  • In collaboration with Gift Planning Director and Stewardship Team, advise on automated workflows that support one-on-one outreach to planned giving donors and prospects, and advise on language for portfolio of planned-gift-related stewardship correspondence.

Other duties as assigned.

minimum qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in nonprofit fundraising, or other applicable fields.
  • 3-5 years’ experience in nonprofit development, fundraising or membership-based or association environment required.
  • Highly proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
  • Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or other CRM platform.
  • Washington National Cathedral requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any boosters recommended and available to the general public, in the absence of eligibility for medical or religious exemptions.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years’ experience in nonprofit development, fundraising or membership-based or association environment.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in planned giving within a development or advancement office environment.
  • Willingness to engage personally and professionally in the high growth potential of the Development Department through a commitment of 3+ years in the position.
ABILITIES
  • Enthusiasm for engaging with donors and prospects by phone and in-person.
  • Acquire the technical proficiency with the complexities of gift planning (i.e., vehicle types, financial planning, estate planning, tax laws, etc.) and with confidence be able to clearly articulate the charitable components with prospects and advisors
  • Understand moves management and be able to effectively manage a portfolio.
  • Ability to work independently, as well as collaborate effectively with a high-achieving team.
  • Desire to grow skills and abilities personally and professionally.
  • Flexibility and resiliency, along with a sense of humor.
  • Commitment to and enthusiasm about the mission and vision of Washington National Cathedral.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Understand moves management and be able to effectively manage a portfolio.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Technical skills appropriate to basic estate planning and life income gift arrangements.
  • Skills to multi-task multiple projects simultaneously with competing deadlines.
WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Schedule is Monday through Friday during normal business hours, However, flexibility in daily schedules will be needed when the Cathedral hosts major funerals, State events and other special events. Development staff is required to assist with these events and may need to adjust priorities with little notice.
  • This position is eligible for a hybrid model of work, requiring at least 3 days/week in the office.
  • This position requires work on site and the individual must be available to work on site as scheduled or requested.
  • Ability to work outside of regular business hours, including evenings and weekends.
  • Some travel required (less than 10%).
  • The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement & fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard.
  • The position also requires near & far vision for reading and preparing written reports and documents.

Washington National Cathedral is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere for all. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability and job performance.

Washington National Cathedral seeks individuals who are committed to our mission. We appreciate interest from those who will contribute to an atmosphere in which diversity is valued and supported.

Apply Now 

To apply, send a cover letter and resume, and please note job code C22-15, to [email protected].