Manager, Planned Giving

Description

ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy. Founded in 1920, the League encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and advocates for public policies that strengthen civic engagement and democratic institutions.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager, Planned Giving leads the League of Women Voters' planned giving and legacy philanthropy program, developing strategies that inspire long-term investments in the League's mission and strengthen sustainable philanthropic support for future generations. As the organization's primary staff lead for planned giving, this role designs, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive legacy giving program that cultivates, solicits, stewards, and retains planned giving donors.

This position manages a portfolio of planned giving prospects and League Legacy Circle members, oversees donor-centered marketing and stewardship initiatives, and collaborates across Advancement, Finance, Communications, and Development Operations to ensure effective gift administration and donor engagement. This position serves as an internal subject matter expert on charitable gift planning and works to increase documented planned gift commitments while fostering meaningful relationships with supporters who wish to create a lasting impact through their philanthropy.

The salary range for this position is $85,000-$95,000 annually.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planned Giving Strategy and Program Leadership

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive planned giving strategy that increases documented legacy commitments and advances long-term revenue goals.
• Serve as the League's primary resource on planned giving opportunities, trends, best practices, and donor engagement strategies.
• Establish annual goals, performance metrics, and growth objectives for the planned giving program and regularly monitor progress toward those goals.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand the League's legacy giving pipeline through donor qualification, cultivation, and stewardship initiatives.
• Maintain current knowledge of developments and trends in charitable gift planning, philanthropy, tax law considerations affecting charitable giving, and industry best practices.
• Ensure planned giving activities reflect donor-centered fundraising principles and support the League's strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues on comprehensive giving strategies that incorporate planned gift opportunities for current donors and prospects.
• Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship
• Manage a portfolio of planned giving donors, prospects, and individuals who have expressed interest in including the League in their estate plans.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to deepen donor engagement and secure documented planned gift commitments.
• Build meaningful relationships with supporters through virtual meetings, telephone outreach, written communications, event participation, and in-person visits as appropriate.
• Facilitate conversations regarding charitable bequests, beneficiary designations, retirement assets, life insurance policies, donor-advised fund succession planning, and other planned giving vehicles.
• Ensure timely stewardship, recognition, and acknowledgment of planned giving donors and prospects.

Legacy Circle Leadership

• Lead the administration, stewardship, and growth of the League’s Legacy Circle program.
• Develop strategies that increase membership, engagement, and retention among legacy society participants.
• Design and implement meaningful recognition and stewardship opportunities that celebrate donors' long-term commitment to the League.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues and event staff to plan and execute virtual and in-person stewardship activities and donor engagement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records regarding society membership and documented gift intentions.

Marketing and Communications

• Partner with Advancement and Communications colleagues to implement integrated planned giving marketing strategies and campaigns.
• Develop and manage planned giving content for digital platforms, email communications, newsletters, direct mail, social media, and the organization's website.
• Create educational materials, donor stories, impact reports, and other resources that increase awareness of legacy giving opportunities.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, and planned giving marketing platforms to support program goals.
• Evaluate campaign performance and recommend strategies that increase donor engagement, inquiries, and documented commitments.
• Gift Administration and Operations
• Maintain accurate records of planned gift expectancies, documented commitments, realized gifts, and related donor communications.
• Initiate and develop relationships with Estate attorneys, financial advisors, and other key decision-makers to ensure timely gift administration.
• Coordinate with Finance, Development Operations, and Advancement colleagues to ensure proper recording, acknowledgment, and stewardship of planned gifts.
• Support the administration of realized bequests and other planned gift distributions.
• Develop and maintain procedures, documentation standards, and workflows that ensure consistent and effective management of planned giving activities.
• Ensure donor information is handled with confidentiality, discretion, and adherence to organizational policies and applicable regulations.

Data Management and Reporting

• Utilize CRM systems and reporting tools to track donor engagement, stewardship activities, planned gift commitments, and realized gifts.
• Analyze donor and program data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for growth.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and presentations for Advancement leadership, executive leadership, and the Board of Directors.
• Monitor key performance indicators and recommend improvements that strengthen program effectiveness and donor engagement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Advancement, Communications, Finance, Development Operations, and external partners to support integrated fundraising strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on planned giving opportunities and donor engagement approaches.
• Contribute to organization-wide fundraising initiatives and campaigns as needed.
• Support a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and donor-centered philanthropy across the Advancement team.

Requirements

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

Education Required

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Education Preferred

• Professional certification such as CFRE, CAP®, CGPP, or related fundraising credential.

Experience Required

• Five or more years of experience in planned giving, major gifts, development, donor relations, philanthropy, or a related fundraising discipline.
• Demonstrated success building and managing donor relationships and stewardship programs.
• Knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles, including bequests, beneficiary designations, retirement assets, life insurance gifts, and donor-advised fund succession planning.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising, donor engagement, or stewardship strategies.

Experience Preferred

• Experience with planned giving marketing platforms (Stelter, FreeWill, etc.), estate planning tools, and legacy giving campaigns.
• Experience working in a national nonprofit, civic engagement, advocacy, membership-based, or mission-driven organization.
• Experience engaging high-capacity donors and managing complex philanthropic relationships.
• Familiarity with donor-centered and inclusive fundraising practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Technical Skills

• Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with CRM systems, donor databases, and fundraising reporting tools.
• Ability to handle confidential donor information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and nonpartisan principles of the League of Women Voters.

Core Competencies

Relationship Building

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Project and Program Management

Collaboration

Equity and Inclusion

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional domestic travel, up to approximately 20%, may be required for donor visits, League events, conferences, and stewardship activities.

WORK AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position is primarily performed in a remote work environment and requires prolonged periods of computer work, participation in virtual meetings, and communication via telephone and email. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The League of Women Voters of the United States is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace based on equal opportunity. The League is committed to hiring staff who reflect this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic identity, fostering a workplace where true diversity is valued and different perspectives are freely exchanged. We encourage women, minorities, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The League of Women Voters of the United States is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who share our commitment to strengthening democracy and civic participation. The League does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.