What is a Planned Giving Officer job?
A Planned Giving Officer is a fundraising professional who works with non-profit organizations to secure donations from individuals who have made a planned gift, either through their estate or other financial planning means. This position requires a keen understanding of philanthropy, estate planning, and tax law.
What usually do in this position?
The main responsibility of a Planned Giving Officer is to cultivate relationships with potential donors and help them make planned gifts. This involves developing and implementing a strategic plan for identifying and approaching potential donors, as well as building long-term relationships with existing donors.
In addition to relationship building, a Planned Giving Officer must be comfortable with financial planning and the legal aspects of estate giving. This requires a deep understanding of tax law and the various types of planned gifts, such as bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities.
Top 5 skills for the position:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of financial planning and estate law
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Passion for philanthropy and the non-profit sector
How to become a Planned Giving Officer?
To become a Planned Giving Officer, one typically needs a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as non-profit management, business, or finance. Many organizations also require a master's degree in a related field.
In addition to formal education, experience in fundraising and/or financial planning is highly desirable. Many organizations also require certification in planned giving or fundraising.
Average Salary
According to Payscale, the average salary for a Planned Giving Officer in the United States is $69,000 per year. However, salaries can vary widely depending on the size and location of the organization, as well as the candidate's level of experience and education.
Roles and Types
Planned Giving Officers can work in a variety of non-profit organizations, including universities, hospitals, museums, and religious institutions. They may also work for consulting firms that specialize in planned giving.
Within these organizations, Planned Giving Officers may hold a variety of titles, such as Director of Planned Giving, Director of Development, or Major Gifts Officer.
Locations with the most popular jobs in the USA
According to Indeed, the top five cities in the United States with the highest number of job postings for Planned Giving Officers are New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, and San Francisco. However, there are opportunities for this position in many other cities and regions as well.
What are the typical tools?
Planned Giving Officers use a variety of tools and resources to do their jobs effectively. These may include prospect research databases, fundraising software, and financial planning calculators. They may also work closely with legal and financial advisors to help donors structure their planned gifts in the most tax-efficient manner.
In Conclusion
Planned Giving Officers play a critical role in the non-profit sector by helping organizations secure the donations they need to carry out their missions. This position requires a unique combination of financial planning, legal expertise, and relationship building skills. If you are passionate about philanthropy and interested in a career in the non-profit sector, becoming a Planned Giving Officer may be the perfect fit for you.