Director of Development, Planned Giving

Volunteers of America Colorado•Denver, CO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development, Planned Giving position supports the mission of Volunteers of America Colorado by developing and managing a planned giving program focused on long-term philanthropic support across Colorado communities. This role is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with donors, professional advisors, and community partners to encourage legacy gifts that address critical social needs such as housing, food security, and family support services. Working collaboratively with the development team and executive leadership, the Director of Development will identify and engage prospective donors, design targeted outreach strategies, and ensure the proper documentation, recognition, and stewardship of planned gifts. The ideal candidate brings expertise in charitable estate planning, deep empathy for human services work, and a passion for helping donors make a lasting impact in the lives of Coloradoans.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
4-6 years of experience in planned giving, major gifts fundraising, or donor relations.
Demonstrated success in cultivating and securing planned gifts, such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, or trusts.
Experience collaborating with legal and financial professionals on estate planning and charitable giving strategies.
Demonstrated proficiency with widely used business management software programs (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as donor database programs); Salesforce experience preferred.
Must possess a Colorado’s driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.
Travel required.

Nice To Haves

Ability to respond with urgency to the needs and requests of others (both internal and external), ensuring a high degree of responsiveness to all donors without regard to their giving level.
Willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.
Demonstrated ability to: manage numerous complex tasks simultaneously; anticipate and meet deadlines; use time effectively, problem-solve independently in a small staff atmosphere; and function in an often stressful and quick turn-around environment.
Goal-oriented, self-motivated, reliable, detail-oriented, articulate and poised.
Personal integrity, sound judgment and a sense of humor.
Willingness to work nights and weekends as situations warrant, including donor meetings, events, etc.
Deep and abiding commitment to a high level of donor constituent satisfaction.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Demonstrates compassion for helping those that are the most vulnerable in our community.
Demonstrates knowledge of or a strong willingness to learn about poverty, human service government programs, Volunteers of America Colorado’s solutions and services, homelessness, aging, veterans, at-risk youth, and helping those most vulnerable in our society.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a comprehensive planned giving program to support the organization’s long-term fundraising goals.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with donors and prospects interested in estate and planned gifts.
Collaborate with development staff to integrate planned giving strategies into overall fundraising initiatives and campaigns.
Work closely with financial advisors, attorneys, and estate planners to facilitate complex gift arrangements, such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.
Conduct personalized donor meetings to provide education about planned giving opportunities and benefits.
Create and implement marketing strategies for planned giving, including print, digital, and event-based outreach.
Maintain accurate donor records and track activities and outcomes in the Salesforce.
Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and financial standards related to charitable giving and tax regulations, including Colorado-specific requirements.
Provide ongoing education and training for staff, board members, and volunteers about planned giving opportunities.
Prepare reports and presentations for leadership to monitor and evaluate planned giving program performance.
Stay informed on trends, legislation, and best practices in planned giving and nonprofit fundraising.
Represent the organization at community events, professional gatherings, and donor functions to build and enhance relationships.