Planned Giving Officer

Humane Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Planned Giving Officer manages the Planned Giving program, engages members of the Founders Society, and cultivates and stewards mid-level donors as a pipeline to the Founders Society and Major Gifts. The role focuses on renewing and increasing annual gifts, tracking and reporting progress, and serving as an integral member of the Development Department.

The officer identifies, researches, qualifies, cultivates, and solicits planned giving prospects; manages an active portfolio; and develops strategies for new planned gift commitments. The role partners with Major Gift Officers on planned giving opportunities, donor visits, and coordinated strategies, while providing colleagues with planned giving resources and guidance. The officer also stewards legacy donors, coordinates Founders Society recognition and engagement, maintains donor records in Virtuous, tracks program goals, supports planned giving communications and improvements, and coordinates with estate administration staff as needed. Routine estate administration is not a primary responsibility.

The position works primarily in an office setting and requires up to 10% in-state travel. The schedule consists of five eight-hour shifts. The role interacts with employees throughout the organization and may involve contact with the general public and business partners.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles and ability to explain charitable giving options clearly and appropriately.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, solicitation, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a donor portfolio and advance relationships.
• Ability to collaborate effectively while maintaining accountability for individual fundraising goals.
• Experience with donor relationship management systems; familiarity with donor databases.
• Excellent business writing skills, particularly in fundraising or proposal writing.
• Knowledge of best practices in segmented fundraising marketing strategies, particularly involving legal firms and bequest administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within the Development team.
• Strong leadership qualities, professionalism, energy, passion, and commitment to achieving goals.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and perform under pressure.
• Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent independent judgment and initiative.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Expertise in gift planning and deferred giving vehicles.
• Knowledge of major gifts and estate and financial planning fundamentals.
• Strategic initiative to grow the legacy donor base and engage lifetime giving.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Three to five years of experience in planned giving, fundraising, major gifts, donor cultivation, or a related field.
• Experience in database management, preferably with EveryAction, Salesforce, or Raiser's Edge.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with planned giving platforms such as Crescendo or Stelter.
• Experience partnering with Marketing to create curated pieces.
• Experience with the Virtuous donor relationship management system.

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, qualify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving prospects.
• Conduct donor visits and conversations and develop strategies that lead to new planned gift commitments.
• Manage an active prospect portfolio and consistently advance donor relationships.
• Identify opportunities for bequests, beneficiary designations, blended gifts, and other appropriate planned gifts.
• Establish and achieve annual goals for donor engagement, solicitations, and new commitments.
• Partner with Major Gift Officers to identify planned giving opportunities in their portfolios.
• Participate in joint donor visits and develop coordinated cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Provide colleagues with planned giving education, resources, and guidance.
• Maintain clear communication about shared prospects, relationship ownership, and next steps.
• Manage and steward relationships with donors who have included Humane Colorado in their estate plans.
• Develop individualized stewardship strategies and maintain meaningful, consistent donor contact.
• Coordinate Founders Society recognition, communications, and engagement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate documentation of donor intentions and interactions.
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor relationships and philanthropic engagement.
• Maintain accurate prospect, donor intention, and activity records in Virtuous.
• Track and report progress toward pipeline, engagement, solicitation, and commitment goals.
• Partner with Communications and philanthropy colleagues on planned giving communications, materials, and program improvements.
• Maintain current knowledge of planned giving practices and charitable gift vehicles.
• Coordinate with estate administration staff as needed to support donor relationships and clarify documented intentions.
• Support a positive team environment, address conflict directly, and express concerns appropriately.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) with matching.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Life and short-term disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Paid sick time.
• Sabbatical.
• Holiday pay.
• Employee discounts.
• Discounted pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

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