Benchmarking, Campaigns, Donor Development, Donor Relations, Estate Planning, Federal Laws and Regulations, Federal Tax, Financial Planning, Financial Trend Analysis, Fundraising, Fundraising Campaign, Leadership, Marketing Communications Strategy, Marketing Plan, Metrics, Nonprofit, Plan Meetings, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Reporting Skills, Sales Prospecting, Solicitation Planning, Statistics, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Tax Regulations, Willing to Travel
Job Description
The ISU Foundation serves as the fundraising and advancement partner of Idaho State University, securing and stewarding private support that strengthens the University's mission and impact. The Foundation is committed to fostering a culture defined by empowerment, appreciation, engagement, and accountability, cornerstones that guide how we work, collaborate, and celebrate success. Our team values trust and shared purpose as we build a strategic and sustainable advancement organization. Together, we cultivate relationships that connect donors, alumni, and partners to the transformative work taking place across the University. Idaho State University and the ISU Foundation are actively preparing to launch a historic and ambitious comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Primary Function of the Position:
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development, the Director of Planned Giving will lead the strategy, growth, and execution of a comprehensive planned giving program at Idaho State University. The Director of Planned Giving will manage a robust portfolio and is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding deferred gifts as a key area of opportunity for Idaho State University. The Director will partner with leadership and major gift officers, as well as work with deans, faculty, and staff, to provide support for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned gifts. This position will work closely with the entire University Advancement team to ensure coordination among individual giving programs and across all units within the University. This position requires up to 50% travel at times, including local, regional, and out-of-state travel. The position will be located in Pocatello, unless otherwise agreed upon.
This position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization may be considered.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a marketing and communications strategy to increase awareness of planned giving opportunities and drive growth in deferred gift commitments.
- Develops and maintains a portfolio of planned giving prospects.
- Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards planned giving donors and prospective donors.
- Assists with comprehensive campaigns of the Idaho State University Foundation.
- Partner with Directors of Development to design and implement comprehensive gift planning marketing strategies for assigned units, with the goal of increasing documented bequest intentions and deferred gift revenue.
- Lead the administration and optimization of Crescendo interactive planned giving software, including oversight of online content, gift planning tools, and the development of customized, trackable links and resources for campus partners.
- Document accurate and complete records of the moves management process and follow prescribed strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding of major gifts.
- Prepare reports using planned giving software Crescendo, briefing materials, correspondence, proposals, statistics, and related documents for solicitation of prospective donors.
- Participate fully in the university's comprehensive advancement program, including its prospect management process and systems.
- Works within a system of metrics, including benchmarks for personal visits, major gift solicitations, and a prescribed number of new prospects identified annually.
- Participate in professional development activities to remain current on relevant activity and trends in gift planning, financial and estate planning, federal tax law and regulations that govern charitable giving, and new services offered by other non-profit groups and organizations, and to raise Idaho State University's visibility in the profession.
- Cultivate strong working relationships with colleagues in University Advancement and across the University.
- Design and lead regular in-house education gift planning seminars for fundraising staff and donors.
- Travel throughout Idaho as well as other areas of the country to pursue gift planning strategies and build enduring relationships.
- In collaboration with the Director of Donor Relations, maintain and enhance stewardship for gift planning donors and promote the Granite Society and its events as recognition for these donors.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President of Development.