Regional Gift Planner (Southeastern Synod and Florida/Bahamas Synod)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America•Chicago, IL

9d•Remote

About The Position

The Regional Gift Planner (RGP) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and securing planned and current gifts from individuals in support of churchwide ministries, congregations, synods, and other ELCA-related ministries. Gift planners work in partnership with synods, ELCA related organizations and institutions to expand the network of prospective donors, increase support for ELCA-related ministries and present opportunities to invest in the Endowment Fund Pooled Trust. Gift Planners provide ongoing, regular stewardship of planned giving donors and participants in the Endowment Fund Pooled Trust. The Regional Gift Planner will collaborate closely with the bishops within their territory, along with several other regional partners. Additionally, they are expected to collaborate with other regional gift planners, and gift officers of the ELCA, as needed. Reporting to the Director of Gift Planning, this position is part of a nationwide network of twenty-three professional gift planners. Each Gift Planner lives and works within their assigned territory (home office). This is a full-time, regular, exempt, location specific remote position. The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Experience in resource development, planned giving, financial/estate planning, sales, or related career, with a solid understanding of the development process and planned giving instruments.
A commitment to supporting best practices in fundraising and development. Excellent communications and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interview potential donors about their passions for ministry and available assets, present proposals, and ask for planned gifts.
Ability to utilize a constituent information system as an integral part of the moves management strategy.
Ability to work independently from home, while remaining self-disciplined and organized to be most effective.
Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Minimum Technical Competency: Computer knowledge that enables you to operate a Windows Computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions. Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications. Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred.

Responsibilities

Meet with prospective donors to conduct discoveries, present gift plan proposals and secure planned and current gifts through estate plans, CRTs, CGAs, named endowments, QCDs, cash, properties, and other gifts.
Steward and strengthen the relationship between the ELCA Foundation, synods, and organizational partners. Cultivate and develop additional partnerships with relevant regional ELCA affiliated institutions. Coordinate with partner organizations in identifying gift planning prospects and engage in joint discovery meetings with partner gift officers.
Cultivate and solicit ELCA affiliated institutions to invest funds in the Endowment Fund Pool Trust and provide ongoing stewardship of these institutions.
Support congregations and ELCA related ministries in the development and promotion of planned giving programs.
Manage ongoing donor/organizational relationships and gift planning activities in CRM software, having regular reviews with the Director of Gift Planning.
Other duties as assigned.