Director, Philanthropy - Gift Planning

Director of Philanthropy for Gift Planning

Location:

Belknap Campus

Job Req : R107946

Bachelor's degree in a related field and four (4) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 11 (Salaried)

The University of Louisville's Director of Philanthropy for Gift Planning will play a key role in planning and executing a comprehensive philanthropic program for the area of estate and gift planning in coordination with the Executive Director for Gift Planning and the Senior Associate Vice President (SAVP) for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (PAE). The Director of Philanthropy for Gift Planning will work collaboratively with colleagues across PAE, with particular focus on non-Health Science colleges and schools, to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major planned giving prospects.

The Director will work collaboratively with the Director of Donor Experience to maintain strong communication with existing estate and planned giving donors.

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit potential donors for bequests and planned gifts (through personal visits, virtual platforms, and phone calls) from a personal portfolio of mid-tier bequest prospects.
• Build and manage a major gift prospect portfolio of approximately 75 major gift donors.
• Solicit and secure gifts to reach a minimum annual goal as determined by PAE leadership of no less than the performance standard of $2M.
• Meet annual metrics by managing the process and the prospects through qualifying visits, cultivation initiatives, and the solicitation process that aligns with their financial capacity, securing the commitment, and stewarding the donor.
• Record all contacts and activities within the constituent database.
• Develop and oversee an overall stewardship plan for members of the Conn Legacy Society (CLS) in conjunction with the Office of Stewardship, ensuring systematic personal contact with each member within a to-be-determined cycle. Within this duty, continue to monitor all life insurance policies gifted to the university.
• Serve as the point person for gift‑in‑kind received across the university by reviewing gift documentation and providing guidance to development officers and donors.
• Resource development officers are working on potential mid‑level bequests and planned gifts.
• Research and write periodic donor profiles and create timely, appropriate marketing materials in collaboration with the University’s external planned‑giving marketing vendor.
• Assist with estate administration, as well as in obtaining/reviewing documentation for new bequests and related gift agreements.

3-5 years of fundraising experience, ideally in soliciting and closing major gifts of $25K and above, and with a working knowledge of gift planning.

Experience in higher education is preferred.

Self‑driven and goal‑oriented, the individual will be adept in handling multiple priorities. The job functions must be performed with a high degree of integrity, initiative, creativity, dependability, human relations, cooperation, and courtesy. A high level of personal and professional integrity is a must, along with demonstrated relationship‑building skills and the ability to communicate effectively and frequently with colleagues.

Please include a cover letter.

Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement encourages candidates to apply who have demonstrated the capacity to create supportive work environments, collaborate effectively on teams, and serve the students we admit and aim to attract.

The University of Louisville has an exceptional benefits package; to learn more about our benefits please visit here.

Will be commensurate to candidate experience.

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual…