StatusFull Time
Job SummaryTuskegee University is seeking a seasoned and strategic fundraising professional to serve as its Director of Legacy and Estate Giving. This remote position plays a vital role in advancing the university's mission by securing planned and estate gifts that support scholarships, academic programs, and long-term institutional priorities.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Director will lead the university's planned giving strategy and manage a national portfolio of alumni and supporters interested in leaving a legacy. The successful candidate must bring proven experience in managing and closing planned gifts, along with technical expertise in reviewing estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, retirement accounts, and donor-advised fund agreements.
Remote (with regular travel to Tuskegee and donor locations)Essential Job DutiesProgram Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and lead a comprehensive planned and estate giving program, including pipeline development, marketing, stewardship, and reporting
- Establish annual goals for new planned gift commitments, realized estate gifts, and legacy society engagement
- Align planned giving strategy with institutional and campaign fundraising goals
Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of alumni and friends considering or committed to planned or deferred gifts
- Cultivate and solicit a wide range of gift vehicles including:
- Bequests
- Charitable remainder trust
- Charitable gift annuities
- IRA and retirement account designations
- Life insurance policies
- Real property and non-cash assets
- Donor-advised funds (DAFs): Engage with donors who give through DAFs, ensuring proper designation of gifts, confirming gift intent, and coordinating with the DAF sponsoring organization for timely disbursement and documentation
- Prepare custom proposals and gift illustrations in collaboration with Donor Services and finance teams
- Collaborate with frontline gift officers on blended gift strategies
Technical Review & Documentation
- Review and interpret wills, living and charitable trusts, retirement and life insurance beneficiary forms, DAF instructions, and estate settlement documents
- Serve as a liaison to attorneys, financial advisors, and estate executors to ensure gifts are properly structured, documented, and realized
- Ensure donor intent is clearly defined and documented; maintain comprehensive records of all planned and estate gifts
Collaboration & Reporting
- Work closely with Donor Services to ensure gifts are accurately recorded in Raiser's Edge NXT and financial systems
- Track and report on expectancies, realized gifts, and pipeline activity
- Lead Tuskegee's legacy society, managing donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship strategies
- Provide campaign and board-level reports as needed on planned giving performance and realized revenue
Qualifications (Education, Experience and Specialized Training)- Bachelor's degree required
- Minimum 5-7 years of direct experience in planned giving or charitable estate planning
- Demonstrated ability to review and interpret legal and financial documents, including wills, trusts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and DAF gift instructions
- Strong knowledge of estate planning vehicles and charitable giving strategies
- Experience working with donors and/or donor-advised fund sponsoring organizations (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab, local foundations) to facilitate and document DAF gifts
Physical Demands- Ability to operate standard office equipment
- Ability to walk short distances
- Ability to lift and carry parcels, packages and other items
- Ability to view a computer terminal
Skills and AttributesKnowledge:
- Demonstrated ability to review and interpret legal and financial documents, including wills, trusts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and DAF gift instructions
- Strong knowledge of estate planning vehicles and charitable giving strategies
- Experience working with donors and/or donor-advised fund sponsoring organizations (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab, local foundations) to facilitate and document DAF gifts
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Raiser's Edge NXT or comparable donor database systems
Ability:
- Highly organized, self-directed, and able to thrive in a remote work environment with regular travel as needed.
Posting Number: S843
Will this position required travel?: Yes
Will this position required night, weekend, and after hour work?: Yes
Will this positon be supported using grants or contract funding?No
Number of Vacancies: 1
Open Date: 05/16/2025
Close Date: 08/16/2025
Open Until Filled: No
Special Instructions SummaryEach applicant, including all current employees, must complete and submit the following documents:
- Tuskegee University employment application
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
- Recommendation letters
- Copies of unofficial transcripts.
- Please note that official transcripts(s) will be required upon hire
Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://tuskegee.peopleadmin.com/postings/2936
