Planned Giving Associate

Planned Giving Associate

Job Title: To be determined

Department: Planned Giving

Reports To: Chief Planned Giving Officer

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $80,000-$90,000 Annually, DOE

Location: Billings, MT (Non-remote)

Position Summary

The Planned Giving Associate is responsible for building meaningful, trust-based relationships with donors and introducing them to charitable giving strategies that align with their values and financial goals. This role focuses on marketing and securing planned gifts, including wills and bequests, charitable gift annuities, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), and life estate arrangements.

The title of this position will be determined based on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, with consideration given to titles such as Director, Vice President or Planned Giving Officer. This is an ideal opportunity for a relationship-driven fundraising professional who has demonstrated success working with donors and is ready to grow into the specialized field of planned giving. The ideal candidate is someone highly regarded in their current organization, someone their colleagues would hate to lose—but who is eager to expand their impact through more complex and meaningful gift planning work.

Please submit resume and cover letter to: humanresources@yellowstonefoundation.org

Core Responsibilities

Donor Development & Relationship Management

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with donors, taking time to understand their personal, financial, and charitable goals
• Identify, qualify, and actively cultivate planned giving prospects through both new outreach and existing donor relationships
• Initiate and guide thoughtful conversations around legacy giving, helping donors explore options that align with their values and long-term vision
• Steward donors through the full lifecycle of a planned gift—from initial conversation and illustration through documentation, fulfillment, and ongoing relationship
• Maintain consistent, meaningful contact with donors through personal visits, calls, and written communication

Planned Giving Marketing & Outreach

• Actively promote charitable planned giving opportunities with a focus on:
• Wills and bequests
• Charitable gift annuities (including deferred and flexible options)
• Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)
• Life estate gifts and other non-cash asset strategies
• Participate in and support donor events, seminars, and small-group educational opportunities designed to introduce planned giving concepts
• Work closely with development staff to identify planned giving opportunities within their portfolios and support donor conversations
• Represent Yellowstone Foundation in the community as a knowledgeable and trusted resource for charitable gift planning

Content Development & Communication

• Write clear, compelling, and donor-focused content including:
• Planned giving articles for publications and newsletters
• Targeted donor emails and correspondence
• Educational materials that simplify complex planned giving strategies
• Translate technical gift planning concepts into language that is approachable, accurate, and inspiring
• Support the development of proposals, illustrations, and written summaries for donors and their advisors

Professional Growth & Technical Development

• Demonstrate a strong desire to learn and grow within the planned giving field, including technical, legal, and tax-related aspects of charitable gift planning
• Participate in workshops, conferences, and continuing education opportunities to build expertise
• Seek mentorship and actively engage in hands-on learning opportunities within Yellowstone Foundation’s established planned giving program

Collaboration & Internal Partnership

• Partner closely with the Chief Planned Giving Officer and internal team members to design and implement donor strategies
• Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure consistent, strategic messaging around planned giving
• Support broader development efforts by integrating planned giving into annual, major, and campaign fundraising strategies
• Contribute to a culture of service, professionalism, and excellence within Yellowstone Foundation

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Demonstrated success in a relationship-based role such as fundraising, donor development, financial services, sales, or client advisory work
• Proven ability to build trust and maintain meaningful, long-term relationships with donors, clients, or stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and with warmth
• High level of integrity and professionalism, especially when working with sensitive financial, family, and legacy conversations
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple donor relationships and projects simultaneously
• A track record that reflects consistency, follow-through, and a commitment to excellence
• Excellent professional references that speak to character, work ethic, and relational effectiveness

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising or development, particularly in annual giving, major gifts, or donor relations
• Exposure to or familiarity with planned giving concepts such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, or qualified charitable distributions
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and grow a portfolio, program, or book of business

Skills & Competencies

• Relational by Nature – Naturally connects with people, listens well, and builds trust over time. Understands that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful and transformational gifts.
• Credible and Trusted – Operates with integrity and discretion. Donors and colleagues view this person as dependable, thoughtful, and professional in all interactions.
• Curious and Eager to Learn – Has a genuine desire to grow in the field of planned giving, including the technical, financial, and legal aspects. Asks good questions and seeks to understand both people and complex gift strategies.
• Communicates with Clarity and Care – Able to take complex ideas and explain them in a way that is clear, approachable, and donor-focused—both in writing and in conversation.
• Collaborative Team Member – Works well with colleagues across departments, values input and contributes to a unified approach to donor engagement and stewardship.
• Mission-Driven – Has a sincere desire to be part of work that creates lasting impact. Believes in the importance of charitable giving and the role it plays in strengthening communities over time.
  

Technical Skills & Systems Proficiency

• Demonstrated comfort working with donor databases and CRM systems; experience with Raiser's Edge is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated comfort working with donor databases and CRM systems; experience with Raiser's Edge is strongly preferred Demonstrated comfort Ability to learn and effectively utilize planned giving illustration software, including PG Calc and Crescendo
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for communication, reporting, and donor materials
• Working knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint for document management and internal collaboration
• Comfortable using communication platforms such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom
• Openness to leveraging emerging tools, including AI-based platforms, to enhance efficiency, communication, and donor engagement
• Strong attention to detail in data entry, reporting, and maintaining accurate donor records

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily office-based with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The role requires extended periods of computer use. Occasional travel to donor meetings and job-related training and conferences may be required. Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and may be subject to change based on organizational needs.