Associate Director of Legacy Giving

Position Summary:  

Reporting to the Senior Director of Philanthropy, the Associate Director of Legacy Giving is responsible for managing and growing Joybound’s legacy giving program and a portfolio of legacy and major gift donors and prospects. Through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, this role increases planned gift commitments and philanthropic support while building meaningful, long-term donor relationships that advance Joybound’s mission. 

Legacy Giving (75%) 

• Lead and grow Joybound's legacy giving program, building long-term philanthropic support through bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles. 

• Manage a portfolio of legacy donors and prospects, developing and executing individualized strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 

• Secure documented planned gift commitments and steward donors throughout the lifecycle of their relationship with Joybound. 

• Partner with marketing colleagues and planned giving vendors to implement integrated marketing, donor engagement, lead-generation, and stewardship strategies that increase awareness and planned giving participation. 

• Build and maintain relationships with professional advisors, including attorneys, financial planners, accountants, and trust officers, to support donor giving objectives and strengthen referral networks. 

• Collaborate with Joybound’s Development and Finance teams and external estate attorneys and administrators to facilitate planned gift documentation, administration, realized estate gifts, and donor stewardship. 

• Monitor program performance, maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and applicable regulations. 

Major Giving (25%) 

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, focusing on gifts of $10,000 and above. 

• Develop and implement personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic support. 

• Identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects through all stages of the donor lifecycle. 

• Prepare compelling proposals and opportunities that align donor interests with Joybound's mission, programs, and funding priorities. 

• Partner with philanthropy colleagues, volunteers, and organizational leaders to maximize donor relationships and philanthropic outcomes. 

• Achieve annual goals for donor engagement, solicitations, revenue, and documented commitments. 

Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Lead by action and example to advance a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound  

• Serve as a collaborative and positive team member who fosters donor-centered philanthropy. 

• Represent Joybound in the community and at relevant professional meetings, conferences, and events. 

• Maintain deep knowledge of Joybound's mission, programs, strategic priorities, and impact to effectively communicate opportunities for philanthropy. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Five or more years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including planned giving and major gifts, with a demonstrated track record of securing charitable gift commitments and managing donor portfolios. 

• Knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles, estate administration, and applicable planned giving regulations; experience with estate settlement and bequest administration preferred. 

• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, professional advisors, colleagues, and community stakeholders. 

• Strong strategic thinking, organizational, project management, and relationship management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and achieve fundraising goals. 

• Ability to analyze donor and fundraising data, develop actionable insights, and use metrics to guide decision-making and portfolio strategy. 

• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage confidential information while working independently and collaboratively across teams. 

• Proficiency with donor databases, CRM systems, and fundraising technology platforms; experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT, iWave, FreeWill, and Microsoft Office Suite preferred. 

• Commitment to Joybound's mission and values, including a positive, collaborative approach and genuine concern for people and pets. 

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel locally as needed. 

Additional Requirements 

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background screening. 

• Valid California Driver's License, proof of insurance, and an acceptable driving record. 

• Willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace. 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. 

• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG), `Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), paralegal certification, or other relevant professional designation preferred. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Specific physical abilities required by this job include:     

• Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds. Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift. Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist. Sit for long and short periods of time using a computer.  

• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.  

• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.  

• Pre-employment background screening required. 

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License and must not have more than two at-fault incidents in a three-year period and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years and must be insured.  

Hours:  

Exempt: Full-time, exempt position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week, including occasional evening and/or weekend work. Hours and workdays may vary according to the needs of the department. 

At Joybound, we value diversity and treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race; color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.