Director, Gift Planning

University of Illinois Foundation • Champaign, IL

19h • $95,000 - $105,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Illinois Foundation is seeking a Director, Gift Planning to serve as a fundraising subject matter expert in planned giving arrangements. The Director works collaboratively with colleagues across the three universities in the University of Illinois System and the Foundation, providing technical support and guidance on charitable gift planning to frontline major gift officers, donors, and professional advisors. The role covers gift-planning administrative policies, tax matters, and gift documentation requirements. The Director also secures major and planned giving commitments, both outright and deferred, through management of a personal portfolio and travels nationally to seek major gift support.

The position provides guidance on charitable giving options and funding opportunities across universities, colleges, departments, and programs. It identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards gift-planning prospects and donors, maintains current technical knowledge, and helps ensure compliance with University and Foundation procedures. In collaboration with University units, the Director supports planned-gift marketing strategies and fundraising campaigns and may deliver training to internal and external stakeholders.

The Foundation describes its workspace as a state-of-the-art, environmentally conscious, LEED-certified building with contemporary amenities, including an on-site wellness center and café. Many positions use a hybrid schedule with up to two days of remote-work flexibility. The application deadline is November 22, 2026. Candidates must submit an online application, cover letter, and resume.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• 5–8 years of experience in fundraising, charitable gift planning, or related areas of law, taxation, trusts, or investments.
• Exemplary integrity, relationship-building skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical ability, oral and written communication skills, resourcefulness, and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Valid driver's license.
• Occasional work on nights and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctorate (JD), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, and/or similar designation.
• Experience at a higher education institution.
• Related advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely guidance, calculations, proposals, documents, and other assistance on technical aspects of outright and deferred gifts, including tax, estate, and financial considerations.
• Serve as a liaison between the UIF Office of Gift Planning and Trust Services and the University of Illinois System campuses in Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Springfield.
• Advise prospects and donors on charitable giving options and funding opportunities for universities, colleges, departments, and programs.
• Maintain and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, securing major and planned giving commitments through personal portfolio management.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gift-planning prospects and donors based on inquiries, marketing responses, and analytics.
• Maintain professional knowledge of tax laws, regulatory changes, industry best practices, standards, and technical aspects of charitable gift planning.
• Follow University and UIF administrative standards, procedures, and processes, and provide input on process and documentation improvements.
• Collaborate with University units to implement planned-gift marketing strategies and assist with fundraising campaigns.
• As appropriate, deliver training to internal and external stakeholders on gift-planning techniques and administrative guidelines for planned-gift documentation.
• Travel as needed to advance gift-planning strategies and stewardship, attend staff meetings, and participate in professional development.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• 24 days of vacation annually.
• Generous pension benefits.
• Hybrid schedule for many positions, with up to two days of remote-work flexibility.
• On-site wellness center and café with healthy dining options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director