Regional Gift Planner (Twin Cities)

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

The ELCA Foundation

The ELCA Foundation (the “Foundation”) is a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It provides comprehensive giving opportunities for individuals, and educational and gift planning services to congregations, synods, churchwide ministries and related institutions and agencies of this church. Its goal is to increase financial resources for all the ministries of the ELCA.

The Foundation also offers opportunities for congregations and institutions of the ELCA to invest in the Ministry Growth Fund; provides oversight of assets including endowment funds, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts; and cares for the accounting, administration and financial reporting of assets and activities.

The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees with separate committees for Investments, Governance, Finance, Audit, and Marketing and Development.

Job Summary

The Regional Gift Planner (RGP) will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and securing planned and current gifts from individuals in support of churchwide ministries, congregations, synods and other ELCA-related ministries. Gift planners work in partnership with synods, ELCA related organizations and institutions to expand the network of prospective donors, increase support for ELCA-related ministries and present opportunities to invest in the Ministry Growth Fund. Gift Planners provide ongoing, regular stewardship of planned giving donors and participants in the Ministry Growth Fund.

The RGP will collaborate closely with the bishops within their territory, along with several other regional partners. Additionally, they will occasionally be asked to collaborate with other regional gift planners, and gift officers of the ELCA, as needed.

Reporting to the Director of Gift Planning, this position is part of a nationwide network of RGPs. Each RGP lives and works within their assigned territory (home office). Occasionally travel will be required outside of the RGP’s home territory.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt, remote position.

Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Meet with prospective donors to conduct discoveries, present gift plan proposals and secure planned and current gifts through estate plans, CRTs, CGAs, named endowments, QCDs, cash, non-cash, and other gifts.
2. Work collaboratively with ELCA Mission Advancement unit, directors for evangelical mission in synods, and other churchwide partners in identifying planned gift prospects, providing major gift referrals and coordinating effective cultivation and stewardship of churchwide constituents.
3. Coordinate with regional partners in identifying planned gift prospects and engage in joint discovery meetings with partner gift officers.
4. Develop partnerships and a referral network of pastors and key congregational leaders through joint development of asset-based giving programs, the development of congregational gift policies, and the developing and stewarding of congregational endowment funds.
5. Cultivate and solicit ELCA affiliated institutions to invest funds in the Ministry Growth Fund and provide ongoing stewardship of these institutions.
6. Steward and strengthen the relationship between the ELCA Foundation and reginal partners. Cultivate and develop additional partnerships with relevant regional ELCA affiliated institutions.
7. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. n/a

Required Education/Knowledge/Experience/Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the ELCA and a commitment to supporting best practices in fundraising and development.
2. Five years of experience in resource development, planned giving, financial/estate planning, sales, or related career, with a solid understanding of the development process and planned giving instruments.
3. Excellent communications and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interview potential donors about their passions for ministry and available assets, present proposals, and ask for planned gifts.
4. Ability to utilize a constituent information system as an integral part of the moves management strategy.
5. Ability to work independently from home, while remaining self-disciplined and organized to be most effective.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. 10+ years of progressive experience in planned giving
2. One or more certifications strongly preferred including, but not limited to, CFRE, CAP©, Certified Estate and Trust Specialist, Certified Specialist in Planned Giving, or Accredited Estate Planner.
3. Juris doctorate or other advanced degree
4. Proven ability to close multiple seven figure gift commitments per year
5. Familiarity with investment strategies related to endowed funds

Physical and Travel Requirements: Must be willing and able to travel extensively by air and automobile.

Physical Effort: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Frequency:

Must be willing and able to travel by air and automobile; up to 50% of the time, including overnight stays.

Type of Travel required to perform this job:

Air and automobile

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact People Solutions (HR).

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.