Planned Gifts Officer, East Coast

almost 2 years ago
Full time role
New York, NY, US... more
New York, NY, US... more

Company

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We ...

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Job Description

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country.  We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.   We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Miami and Washington, DC.

The Planned Gifts team is responsible for securing gift commitments through wills, trusts, retirement and other estate plans, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and gifts of complex assets to provide Earthjustice with a source of long-term financial support.  In coordination with other fundraising teams, the Planned Gifts team provides education about planned gift opportunities, identifies and qualifies prospects, and cultivates, solicits, administers and stewards planned gifts.

The Planned Gifts Officer serves as the initial point of contact for planned gift prospects via phone, email, mail and meetings.  In addition, this position applies a working knowledge of the different kinds of revocable gifts in service of deep discovery and qualification work.  Reporting to the Deputy Director of Planned Gifts  and working in coordination with the Planned Gifts team, fundraisers, and research staff, the Planned Gifts Officer is responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of planned giving donors and prospects.  The Planned Gifts Officer must be able to build effective relationships with the development team, administrative and program staff and donors.

The position will be based remotely at the outset in a major metropolitan market along the NE corridor. It will transition into a hybrid in-office position when space is available in one of Earthjustice’s primary regional offices located in New York City, Washington DC, or Philadelphia, PA.

Responsibilities

  Fundraising (70%)

  • Build and maintain an active portfolio of 100 + donors and prospects and develop plans for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding those donors.
  • Serve as a first point of contact for donors and prospects who inquire about and disclose planned gifts via phone, email, and by mail. Apply knowledge of planned gifts so that contacts have substantive results.
  • Steward Evergreen Council donors with the goal of discovering the specific scope and nature of their planned gifts, and recommend the appropriate level of stewardship.
  • Strategically establish and manage personal relationships with Top Tier Evergreen Council members with provisions of $500k and up. Provide planned gift and Earthjustice program information through telephone calls, emails, written gift proposals and program updates, and in-person meetings.
  • Identify and qualify donors and prospects’ potential for significant planned or outright gifts. Work with the Planned Gifts, Major Gifts, and Donor Relations teams to identify and implement cultivation and stewardship opportunities in order to achieve highest value planned gifts and/or blended gifts (a combination of outright, life income, beneficiary designations, and bequests).
  • Adhere to Moves Management strategies as well as overall portfolio management best practices.
  • Be conversant in explaining the basic features, benefits and mechanics of charitable gift annuities.
  • Acknowledge all deferred and significant outright gifts in an appropriate and timely fashion.

  Planning, Research and Data Management: (30%)

  • Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of Earthjustice’s programs and national programmatic priorities in order to educate and inform donors and prospects about our mission and work/impact.
  • Manage all information relating to current planned giving donors and prospects, including donor contact information, gift details, and donor interaction notes, in a manner that emphasizes the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.
  • Research legacy donors and prospects to qualify and inform donor engagement strategies.
  • Keep up to date on tax law, planned giving trends, and advances through attendance at conferences and seminars, active reading of journals and newspapers, and consulting with advisors and other gift planning professionals.
  • Ensure that all aspects of planned gift creation and administration honor the interests of the donor and align with Earthjustice’s gift acceptance policies.
  • Ensure that all aspects of the gift process meet IRS regulations and ethical planned giving standards.
  • Ensure all information on prospects and donors meets the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.
  • Record, monitor progress against work plan goals.
  • Participate in program trainings and informational sessions to develop a deeper understanding of Earthjustice’s values and program work.
  • Serve as a member of non-fundraising organizational or departmental working group or planning committees, as appropriate.
  Furthering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Earthjustice (Ongoing)
  • Proactively pursue and utilize internal and external resources to support a personal and professional development journey that increases awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
  • Participate in internal committees and working groups to further institutional priorities and build an inclusive and equitable work environment that encourages and celebrates differences.
  • Ensure the incorporation of inclusive practices in all duties and responsibilities, on a consistent and ongoing basis, including but not limited to verbal and written interactions with constituents and Earthjustice staff.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred and 3-5 years’ fundraising experience or equivalent.
  • Demonstrated aptitude and desire to build fluency in planned giving, charitable tax planning and estate administration.
  • Demonstrated success and experience using effective interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with donors, prospects, and all levels of staff.
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex financial and program information clearly and concisely.
  • Commitment to deepening knowledge of planned giving and trends in charitable giving through training, external certification, self-directed and peer-to-peer learning.  Capability to manage complex issues creatively, strategically, and effectively.
  • Strong initiative and self-motivation to achieve results; ability to make sound judgments and independent decisions.
  • Excellent organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to develop and effectively utilize systems to manage large quantities of data and details.
  • Excellent attention to detail required.
  • Strong research skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member with initiative and flexibility.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines for a wide variety of projects and to work with grace under pressure.
  • Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
  • Computer literate - proficient with CRM databases (Blackbaud preferred), and MS Office Suite. Outlook, Word, Excel required.
  • Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
  • Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences. 
  • Interest in environmental and conservation issues desirable.
  • Skill in operating various office equipment, such as personal computer, calculator, copy machine, facsimile machine, and telephone system.
  • Ability to perform routine bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching.
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for personnel so classified.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer a congenial work environment and a casual dress code. 

Compensation is based on experience and location.

Salary range in New York, NY: $100,200 - $111,300
Salary range in Washington, DC: $95,200 - $105,800
Salary range in Philadelphia, PA:  $90,200 - $100,200

To Apply

Applicants should submit via Jobvite by June 28, 2022:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org  if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.  As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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