Gift Planner

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Hiring Range: $36.06 - $40.87 per hour, plus excellent benefits.

Location

Tacoma, WA 98447.

Department:

Department:
University Relations

Posting Date:

Posting Date: 05/15/2026

Closing Date

Closing Date When a sufficient number of qualified applicants has been identified.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm. Some evenings and weekends required. Remote work possible 2-3 days/week and as needed for travel. Frequent travel within WA state and possibility of travel within the U.S.

Pacific Lutheran University seeks a curious and experienced professional capable of building authentic donor relationships, conveying the mission of the University compellingly, and securing increasing levels of support to propel that mission.

As an essential member of the Constituent Engagement team, the Gift Planner works collaboratively and strategically with University leadership and campus partners to raise funds through the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of existing and prospective individual major donors.

This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Constituent Engagement.

• Build and manage a portfolio of individual major gift prospects, including alumni and friends of the University, and solicit support in the form of outright as well as deferred gifts.
• Develop annual fundraising and activity plans relevant to the individual portfolio and in support of team goals.
• Strengthen the pool of potential major gift donors:
  Managing prospect qualification activities, developing and maintaining a mature and active list of major giving prospective donors.
• Collaborate with campus partners and colleagues to provide effective donor engagement, stewardship and ongoing communications to major gift donors and prospects.
• Provide ample, authentic and appropriate cultivation and stewardship of donors to support donor renewal and acquisition efforts.
• Develop an ongoing and evolving understanding of PLU and its priorities, emphasizing the need for - and building the case in support of - current use gifts, planned gifts and endowment support.
• Commit to consistently documenting and carefully coordinating donor engagement activities, where high-value relationships involve multiple University touch points.
• Represent the University as a professional collaborator at public functions and events, including social and professional gatherings.
• Maintain familiarity with salient issues relating to higher education, fundraising and financial planning, showing an aptitude for thoughtful application and connection.
• Maintain professionalism when dealing with staff and donors, and in carrying out all responsibilities and objectives.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures established by PLU and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, with individuals and groups of varying size.
• Commitment to the values of inclusion, diversity, equity and access, and proactive about taking supportive actions in work and interactions with others.
• Builds and cultivates deep relationships, utilizing deep listening and thoughtful questioning to create new pathways through partnership.
• Emotional intelligence and the ability to earn and maintain the confidence of internal and external constituents.
• Ability to design and implement donor engagement strategies, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans and activities.
• Creative, organized and goal-oriented, coupled with a high level of initiative, energy, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Intellectual and relational curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning, coupled with a desire to build connections between what donors desire to accomplish in society and the capacities of the University.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, such as board members, volunteers, institutional leaders and faculty.
• A high degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Computer literacy and comfort with standard software such as MS Word, Excel, etc.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and nationally.
• Training for specific fundraising and donor engagement strategies utilized in the role will be provided.

• 5 years of experience in fundraising or comparable experience in related fields that include relationship management. Education may substitute for some experience.
• High school diploma or GED .
• Finalist candidates must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background checks.

• Experience in higher education.

PLU is a small, private university where…