Planned Giving
Planned Giving is a way that universities and non-profit organizations receive donations that are arranged in advance, often as part of someone's long-term financial or estate planning. It's different from regular donations because it involves more complex gifts like wills, trusts, or life insurance policies. Think of it as helping donors plan their legacy while supporting the institution. This field combines relationship building with understanding basic financial and legal concepts. Other names for this work include "gift planning" or "legacy giving."
Examples in Resumes
Managed $5M in Planned Giving commitments for the university's endowment fund
Increased Planned Giving donor base by 30% through targeted outreach programs
Created educational materials about Legacy Giving options for potential donors
Developed relationships with donors resulting in $2M in new Gift Planning commitments
Typical job title: "Planned Giving Officers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Planned Giving Officers
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a comprehensive planned giving program from scratch?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating donor identification strategies, building relationships with financial advisors, developing marketing materials, and implementing tracking systems for long-term gifts.
Q: How do you handle complex gift arrangements involving multiple stakeholders?
Expected Answer: Should explain coordinating with legal counsel, financial advisors, family members, and institutional leadership while maintaining donor relationships and ensuring compliance.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What strategies do you use to identify potential planned giving donors?
Expected Answer: Should discuss analyzing giving history, age demographics, wealth screening tools, and building relationships with current donors who show potential for estate gifts.
Q: How do you explain complex giving vehicles to donors in simple terms?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to communicate technical concepts clearly, using real-world examples and focusing on benefits rather than technical details.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic types of planned gifts?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain common gift types like bequests, charitable gift annuities, and life insurance policies in simple terms.
Q: How do you maintain relationships with donors over long periods?
Expected Answer: Should discuss regular communication strategies, tracking important dates, and personalized outreach methods.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of gift types
- Donor database management
- Event coordination
- Basic fundraising principles
Mid (2-5 years)
- Gift agreement preparation
- Donor cultivation strategies
- Financial planning basics
- Marketing campaign management
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex gift structuring
- Program development
- Team leadership
- Estate planning knowledge
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with donor relationship management
- Lack of understanding of basic estate planning concepts
- Poor communication skills
- No knowledge of tax implications for different gift types
- Inability to maintain long-term professional relationships
Related Terms
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