Manager of Planned Giving

The Planned Giving Manager leads The American Legion’s national planned giving and legacy giving program, advancing the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and mission impact. This is a relationship-centered role that requires both technical knowledge of deferred giving vehicles and the interpersonal skill to engage veterans, families, and philanthropic partners in enduring commitments to the Legion’s mission.

The Manager cultivates and stewards’ legacy gifts across a range of vehicles — including bequests, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary designations, and charitable trusts — while collaborating with donors, volunteer leadership, legal advisors, and affiliated foundations.

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Design and execute a comprehensive national planned giving strategy aligned with organizational priorities and long-term revenue objectives.
• Oversee and expand The American Legion’s legacy giving society, including donor recognition programs and stewardship activities.
• Track program metrics, donor trends, and performance indicators; prepare regular reports for leadership and relevant committees.
• Support integration of planned giving into broader fundraising campaigns and major gift efforts.

• Manage an active portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors, including veterans, military families, and allied philanthropic partners.
• Conduct donor outreach through personalized meetings, presentations, correspondence, and educational events.
• Serve as a knowledgeable, trusted resource for donors and their legal and financial advisors on charitable giving structures and options.
• Collaborate with National Officers, volunteers, and senior leadership on high-level donor engagement where appropriate.
• Oversee the development of strategic communications and educational materials related to estate planning and legacy giving opportunities.

• Coordinate with legal counsel, finance staff, trustees, and external advisors on estate administration and planned gift execution.
• Ensure compliance with donor intent, IRS regulations, charitable gift requirements, and internal policies.
• Oversee administration of estate distributions, beneficiary designations, and deferred gift documentation.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of gift intentions, documentation, and stewardship activities in the donor management system.
• Serve as planned giving resources for departments, posts, and affiliated organizations, respecting local autonomy within the Legion’s federated structure.
• Develop and deliver training materials, best practices, and educational presentations on charitable estate planning and legacy fundraising.
• Coordinate with affiliated organizations — including American Legion Charities, Inc., the American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation, and the Child Well-Being Foundation — as appropriate.

• Supervise staff, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Conduct performance evaluations, set goals, and address performance issues through coaching and formal disciplinary actions in compliance with organizational and HR policies.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, finance, communications, public administration, or a related field.
• Professional training or coursework in planned giving, estate administration, or charitable financial planning preferred.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation or planned giving certification preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of planned giving vehicles, charitable estate planning concepts, and donor stewardship best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to discuss sensitive financial and legacy matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Skilled relationship builder with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, legal advisors, and organizational leadership effectively.
• Ability to work within a complex volunteer-led and…