Job Description

The Planned and Major Gifts Officer (PG/MGO) serves in a high impact position on the Advancement team crucial to the success of of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s planned & major gift fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the PG/MGO will build a robust portfolio by identifying donors of $10,000+ and cultivate relationships with prospective planned and major gift donors.   This includes conducting prospect research, developing effective solicitation strategies, and stewarding donors throughout the planned and/or major giving process.   The PG/MGO will collaborate with senior leadership to coordinate and execute fundraising initiatives and strategies to advance the Garden’s mission. The PG/MGO will lead and manage the Garden’s planned giving society.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage Lewis Ginter’s Planned Gift Society, the Grace Arents Society (GAS), by stewarding current members and securing new members through planned gift commitments.
• Identify new prospects for planned gifts and manage them in the portfolio.
• Plan and execute several GAS stewardship events throughout the year.
• Create planned giving communications for both GAS members and prospects.
• Maintain knowledge of LGBG’s investment, fund management and spending policies in order to highlight LGBG’s effective stewardship and due diligence in the management of funds and planned gifts.
• Serve as the Garden’s liaison to our annuity service provider.
• Build and serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of approximately 150 planned/major prospects including research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts, with written engagement and focused solicitation strategies for the core 75 constituents in the portfolio.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for the portfolio of prospects, communicating through

in-person interaction, solicitation, stewardship meetings and written strategies, ensuring healthy segments in all stages.

• Present the Garden’s mission and strategic goals by working independently and

creatively to match donor interests with Garden priorities.

• Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer and the Director of Advancement to develop solicitation strategies for donors/prospects in support of the Garden’s fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff, Finance and other Garden staff to ensure proper recording, allocation, documentation, acknowledgement, stewardship and analysis of planned and major gifts, including intentions and pledges.
• Actively engage in the greater Richmond community to identify new prospects and expand the Garden’s donor community.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to close planned gift intentions, major gifts and blended planned and major gifts.
• A thorough knowledge of laws, rules, regulations and pending legislation governing estate and financial planning with specific emphasis on charitable planning and planned gift vehicles.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement long and short-range development initiatives in conjunction with strategic planning processes.
• Demonstrated ability to deploy fundraising metrics, track and analyze results, and resolve complex problems.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with leadership, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles.
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives.
• Knowledge of, and adherence to, ethic and confidentiality requirements for development professionals, with discretion used in all interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers and others.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.
• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within diverse communities.
• Program planning and leadership skills.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Able to work varied hours outside the traditional work week, including weekends, evenings, holidays and special events including GardenFest.

Employees of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• Must comply with provisions of the current Employee handbook, all published personnel policies and the requirements of their individual job descriptions.
• Must perform all duties in a manner consistent with a public garden serving multigenerational and multicultural individuals, families, and in accordance with directed practices and procedures.
• Must be aware of surroundings and vigilant to threats to the safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff or to security of their property, ensuring that all concerns are reported promptly.
• Must report all injuries and incidents immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor(s) and to Human Resources.
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Ability to navigate the Garden’s campus in most weather conditions.
• Ability to work Advancement Office Special Events including lifting up to 20lbs and other physical labor.
• The position requires familiarity with all public areas of the 82-acre Garden property.
• Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

• • A minimum of four (4) years of documented professional experience securing planned and major gifts.
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Experience in managing a planned gift society is highly desirable.
  • Working knowledge of fundraising databases; Tessitura  experience preferred.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@lewisginter.org.