Professional Development

The Boston Foundation believes that one of the great strengths of the Greater Boston community is the rich diversity of its residents in race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age and physical abilities. The Foundation seeks to enhance and support that diversity, not only by its grant making, but also by adopting and implementing employment policies and practices designed to recognize and respond to such diversity.

The Boston Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience.

All applications should be submitted online. Go to https://www.tbf.org/who-we-are/careers and select “Director of Planned Giving” to complete our online application process.

Job Description

Title: Director of Planned Giving

Department: Philanthropy Group

Reports To: Associate Vice President, Leadership Giving

FLSA Classification: Exempt   FTE: 1

Supervises: One: Philanthropy Assistant

Hybrid Schedule (subject to change): In office as needed for business purposes, estimated at one day a week.  Must be available on all days for in-person donor and prospect meetings with location to be determined. (Initial learning period will primarily be in-office.)

Position Summary:

The Director of Planned Giving is responsible for managing the strategic direction as well as the day-to-day operation of the Boston Foundation’s comprehensive program for planned and legacy giving with a focus on building the Foundation’s discretionary endowment. A high degree of self-direction and initiative is required to be successful in this front-facing  position that requires building relationships with donors, prospects and professional advisors. This role includes moving existing prospects along the pipeline toward documentation, surfacing new prospects, reporting, and carrying out the stewardship program. A comfort level and sensitivity to connecting with high-net worth individuals, frequently elderly, to discuss  and inspire their bequests and legacy planning is required. The successful candidate will have a very strong detail orientation, an ability to listen, and an interest in finance and financial instruments. They will work both independently and cooperatively with other Development and Donor Services teammates, Board members and volunteers, and professional advisors to manage a pipeline of donor prospects for legacy and gift planning as well as promote a variety of other planned and legacy gift options.

Essential Functions:

• Endeavor to place our new vision focused on equity at the center of our planned giving work (through programming, diversifying donor base, and soliciting planned gifts for aligned Boston Foundation initiatives);
• External and Donor-Focused:
  • Identify, cultivate and solicit planned gifts for the Boston Foundation’s discretionary endowment from: our prospect pipeline, from donor advised fund holders and other TBF “family”, through professional advisors and the Boston Estate Planning Council, and via local marketing to the “millionaire next door” who might not otherwise be connected to the Boston Foundation;
  • Collaborate with Professional Advisor Relations staff to cultivate professional advisor community (primarily Trusts & Estates attorneys, but also wealth management advisors, and accountants) to increase quantity and quality of planned giving referrals primarily through presenting at professional advisor firms and providing content for communications;
  • Manage relationships with a portfolio of 25-50 donors to support plans for giving today and in the future; and
  • Provide ongoing stewardship and support for planned giving donors, in particular the Longley Legacy Society and Rogerson Legacy Society, in conjunction with Donor Services.
•  Data Management and Processes:
  • Design and oversee marketing and outreach strategies for target planned gift groups;
  • Manage and track the cultivation and solicitation of planned giving prospects and donors in Salesforce toward achieving annual and long-range fundraising targets;
  • Keep informed of trends and legislation affecting gifts in this field;
    Facilitate estate gifts through the probate and administrative process, as needed;
  • Manage digital and paper files;
  • Maintain records in Salesforce database, ensure timely entry of activities; and
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to implement and uphold data integrity protocols to ensure accurate reporting and inform departmental activities.
  • Internal Collaborations:Work collaboratively with colleagues to implement and uphold data integrity protocols to ensure accurate reporting and inform departmental activities;
  • Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer to oversee proper management of the planned giving program;
  • Support the development and growth of co-investment opportunities to deepen engagement and meaningful collaboration between the Boston Foundation and donors; and
  • Serve as a thoughtful and engaged member of the Development and Donor Services (DDS) team with a entrepreneurial/problem solving mindset.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Individuals assigned to this position may perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Preparation, Knowledge, Previous Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience combined with continuing professional development in the areas of fundraising, planned giving, and financial and wealth advising;
• At least ten years of successful fundraising for planned gifts or related work experience, with a strong knowledge of the tax and legal benefits of charitable giving;
• Major gifts and management experience preferred; and
• Strong listening skills and an ability to apply creative problem solving in order to develop philanthropic solutions in partnership with our donors and staff.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience working with high-net-worth donors as well as familiarity with fundraising and philanthropy;
• Knowledge of Crescendo or similar planned giving providers;
• Facility with planned giving calculators;
• Strong organizational and project management skills and impeccable attention to detail and accuracy;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong customer service orientation;
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products – especially Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point;
• CRM, customer relationship management, database experience (especially Salesforce) strongly preferred;
• Comfort and experience with event and meeting planning;
• Excellent data management and reporting skills;
• Professional and mature interpersonal work style, ability to interact well with a diverse range of people;
• Must be able to work independently and proactively as well as have a participatory work style, team player, ability to give and receive feedback;
• Strong goal orientation with flexibility to adapt to changing priorities;
• Willingness and ability to handle confidential information; and,
• Commit to a diverse workplace and inclusive culture where all feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued.
• Professional and mature interpersonal work style, ability to interact well with a diverse range of people;
• A can-do and will-do attitude, i.e. no task is too high level nor too basic;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet organizational deadlines;
• Commitment to contributing to an overall organizational culture of learning and wellbeing;
• Participatory work style; team player and sense of humor; ability to give and receive feedback;
• Willingness and ability to handle confidential information;
• An entrepreneurial spirit eager to build and grow; and
• Preference for a deep awareness, understanding, and connection to the Boston community, including connections to community-based organizations and leaders.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Must be able to get to the office for meetings, but can balance work-from-home with work in the office after an initial learning period that will primarily be in the office;
• Ability to sit for long periods of time; and
• Ability to use a keyboard for extended periods of time.

The content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job.  It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents, who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act or applicable state law, must be able to perform the essential functions of the job (including those listed above) either with or without reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation, if any, will be determined by management in consultation with the employee on a case-by-case basis.

This job description is intended to be general and may be revised from time to time.  At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.

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If you are:
● Committed to engaging all communities in the enjoyment of the Charles River and its adjacent parks,
● Passionate about urban open space that is vibrant, attractive and accessible to all,
● Enthusiastic about environmental protection and enhancement of the Charles River Reservation,
● Dedicated to ensuring that development and growth are accomplished in harmony with open space,
● Interested in connecting people to outdoor recreation close to where they live and work,
● Excited about the future of the Charles River and its parks as one of Boston’s most recognizable and
historic public places,
● Generous in supporting causes you care about and inviting those from your networks to join you…

And you have experience and/or interest in any of the following:
● Environmental conservation
● Strategic planning
● Outdoor recreation
● Landscape architecture/Urban planning
● Placemaking
● Community engagement and/or organizing
● Public-private partnerships
● Finance
● Public relations
● Law and policy
● Resource development/fundraising
● Using the river and parks

Then you might find yourself right at home with the Charles River Conservancy!

The CRC is actively expanding our board of directors, bringing in active, committed members from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for the Charles River and open spaces. Our goal is to develop a board who will help the CRC implement our strategic plan and ensure that our programs build an inclusive community that shares in the use and ownership of these spaces. Now is an exciting moment in the life of our organization and the river and parks we steward. We are eager to welcome new leaders and partners in the work.

About the Charles River Conservancy:
The Charles River Conservancy (CRC)—a nonprofit leader in urban park improvement and
animation—has worked since 2000 to make the Charles River and its parks a well-maintained network of natural urban places that invite and engage all in their use and stewardship. The CRC’s geography encompasses both sides of the river and parks (Cambridge, Boston and Watertown) from Boston Harbor to the Watertown Dam, not including the Esplanade area (roughly the Boston University Bridge to the Harbor on the Boston side). The CRC is committed to a future in which the Charles River and its parks are celebrated, well-utilized, and inclusive centers of public life for all residents in the CRC geography. We currently achieve this through a robust volunteer program that helps clean and maintain the parks; advocacy work on projects affecting the river and its parks; ecological interventions; and events that enliven and celebrate these spaces. In 2022, we will renew our efforts to ensure we represent all communities in our geography and serve the diverse audiences who use the River and its parks. More information can be found at https://thecharles.org.

About the CRC Board of Directors:
Currently composed of 11 volunteer members, the CRC Board of Directors expects to grow our membership to 15 over the next three years. The Board is the CRC’s governing body; it advises staff leadership and fulfills the fiduciary and fundraising duties of nonprofit board members. Members of our Board are passionate and help determine CRC’s vision, mission, goals, policies, strategies, plans, and programs. CRC’s board meetings (usually seven, 2-hour sessions per year, approximately every other month) are where substantive decisions are made about the organization.

Board members are expected to:
● Attend most/all Board meetings and actively participate at least one of board subcommittees;
● Contribute financially to the CRC at a level that is personally meaningful;
● Participate in at least one public event annually; and
● Act as “ambassadors” for CRC, using their networks to draw in a wider circle of supporters and donors

The initial board term is 1 year with the option of renewing for up to 2 additional 3-year terms. Prior board experience is helpful but not required. If this resonates with you, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please introduce yourself to Board Chair Lonsdale Koester (lmgkoester@gmail.com) and Executive Director Laura Jasinski (ljasinski@thecharles.org) for an initial conversation and potential next steps.

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