Company: University of Portland
Date Posted: Mar 17, 2025
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement and Campaign Director, the Director of Planned Giving develops and implements strategies to secure planned gifts that will support the long-term financial sustainably of the University. The Director acts as a liaison and resource for the frontline fundraising staff by guiding donor solicitation through the execution realized estate plans. This position is responsible for building and maintaining a portfolio of prospects and donors. The Director works closely with colleagues on campus including but not limited to University Relations Admissions, Career Education Center, University Athletics, Marketing & Communications, Academic Deans, and Faculty.
Core Duties
- Develop and execute a comprehensive planned giving program, including marketing, donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Generate new leads and qualify gift prospects and planned gifts from research, prospect tracking tools, donor base, faculty networks, and fundraising colleagues.
- Collaborate with the Associate Vice President for Advancement and Campaign Director to set and achieve annual and campaign-specific planned giving goals.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective planned giving donors, including alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
- Provide expert guidance to donors and their advisors on the various planned giving vehicles, such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, appreciated assets, and other estate planning tools.
- Prepare and present proposals to prospective donors, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Communicate the status of current fundraising activities to both the general public and senior administrators and stimulates interest in gift giving by preparing written materials including proposals, contact reports, gift acknowledgments, and administrative reports.
- Assist advancement staff in developing best practices and reviewing planned giving proposals.
- Regularly evaluate and assess progress toward goals, and report on results
- Maintain and update records of planned giving donors and prospects in the University’s donor database.
- Plan and execute donor recognition and stewardship events to honor and engage planned giving donors.
- Stay current with trends and best practices in planned giving and estate planning.
- Provide training and support to Advancement staff and volunteers on planned giving strategies and techniques.
- Enhance donor relations by representing University Relations at functions and meetings as assigned and working with donors and potential donors, alumni, students, friends, and various constituencies of the University to strengthen their ties to the University.
- Assures donor confidentiality as well as the confidentiality of the projects undertaken by the division of University Relations by conducting all personal contacts and communications with donors in a professional manner.
- Participate in scheduled check-ins and regular strategy meetings.
- Commit to travel and off-site meetings on a weekly basis.
- Attend weekend and evening events as needed.
- Directly and indirectly supervise department staff. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring processes, setting of expectations, training and professional development, performance management and evaluations, and disciplinary processes including termination of employment.
Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.
Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.
Education & Experience
- Required: Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of direct management experience in fundraising, marketing sales or related field.
- Required: proven experience securing large gifts.
- Preferred: Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser’s Edge) or similar CRM
Or equivalent education and/or experience.Contact Info:
Human Resources
University of Portland
recruitment@up.edu
503.943.8484