Overview of AJWS
American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and pursue justice in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations in 18 countries, we respond to the most pressing issues of our time—from disasters, genocide and hunger to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all.
Overview of Team
The Eastern Region fundraising team is responsible for major gifts fundraising on the East Coast and is one of three regional fundraising teams at AJWS. Additionally, the team includes staff responsible for planned giving and a next generation young professionals’ program.
Position Summary
AJWS is seeking a dynamic and experienced development professional to design, implement and lead AJWS’s national planned giving program. Reporting to the Director, Eastern Region Team, the Associate Director Planned Giving will identify, cultivate and solicit prospects for planned gifts from appropriate donors, lay leaders, corporations and potential donors to support AJWS’s planned giving and endowment goals. The Associate Director, Planned Giving will be an integral member of the development team and serve as a planned giving expert for staff and train professional colleagues and lay partners to cultivate and solicit gifts. The Associate Director, Planned Giving will also steward a small portfolio of major gift donors.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Manage a portfolio of committed and prospective planned donors and major gifts donors
- Develop and execute strategies to identify, research, cultivate and solicit qualified prospects for planned gifts
- Design and implement customized regional planned giving strategies, including events
- Work with a planned giving marketing firm producing legacy newsletters and other marketing touchpoints
- Respond to inquiries and meet with prospects, including lay leadership, donors and community members, and their advisors in one-on-one or group settings
- Prepare proposals by targeting donors based on potential for giving and substantive interests and in response to inquiries
- Research and maintain individual donor profiles on qualified prospects and donors and ensure that planned gift records and reports are compiled and maintained
- Collaborate with major gift team to integrate planned giving goals and objectives in all fundraising activities
- Liaise with Board members, President and CEO regarding planned giving opportunities
- Plan and execute a series of donor and prospect-focused events, including donor and professional seminars and donor recognition events; may act as master of ceremonies for actual event and as needed
- Cultivate relationships with attorneys, trust officers, accountants, financial planners and other estate planning professionals regarding gift opportunities for clients and provide material for their use, exchange up-to-date information on current best practices, request help in obtaining referrals and discuss donor interests
- Negotiate terms of planned giving agreements with donors and their advisors
- Conduct initial review of completed documents to ensure that they comply with the organization’s standards, IRS guidelines, and are in the organization’s best interest. Forward documents for final approvals
- Provide in-service training to professional and support staff on planned giving best practices; share updates with leadership
- Attend AJWS events
Required Qualifications:
- BA/BS required
- 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in development and/or planned giving fundraising and progressively responsible program management required
- Some familiarity with financial planning is required
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills required
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit high net worth individuals and their advisors required
- Passion for and commitment to AJWS’s mission and values required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in business, finance or related field and/or JD preferred, due to complexity of planned giving field and related laws
Additional Information:
- Salary: $89,500 – $125,500
- This role is full time (40 HRS), Exempt
- May require infrequent domestic travel for donor meetings and events (approximately 2 – 3 times/year)
Location:
Remote – Contiguous US-Based
*This role is flexible in nature and can be performed from a home office in the contiguous United States.
Compensation and Benefits Information
- AJWS is committed to a salary framework that aligns with our culture and values. The compensation range reflected is in alignment with our framework and individual pay decisions will vary based on skills and experience while still allowing for growth.
- Paid Time Off: 15-22 Federal and religious holidays off each year in addition to generous vacation and sick days;
- Full health benefits coverage with minimal contribution by employees;
- 403(b): 4.25% company match (safe harbor);
- Flexible Spending Account and Commuter Benefits;
- Workplace flexibility and generous leave policy.
Additional Considerations
Black, Indigenous and People of Color; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Trans and Gender non-conforming people; women; and differently abled people are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds.
As an organization committed to promoting social justice around the world, it is essential that we incorporate a diverse, equitable and inclusive lens into all aspects of our work at AJWS. We encourage applicants with a global perspective and a commitment to values around diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply.
Authorization to work in the US is required.
How to Apply
For immediate consideration, apply below. Applications submitted without a resume and personalized cover letter will not be considered. We thank you for your interest in career opportunities with AJWS. Due to high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.