The Director of Planned Giving leads St. Bonaventure University’s legacy and deferred giving program and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that encourage donors to make planned gifts that support the long-term financial strength of the university. Working under the strategic leadership of the Vice President for Advancement, the
Director cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors interested in supporting the university through bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, retirement assets, and other planned giving vehicles.
The Director plays a key role in advancing the university’s endowment growth goals by securing legacy commitments and planned gifts that support scholarships, academic programs, athletics priorities, and other institutional initiatives.
The Director manages a portfolio of planned giving prospects and collaborates closely with the Director of Major Gifts and Major Gift Officers to structure blended and deferred gift opportunities that maximize philanthropic impact.
The Director also leads engagement efforts for members of the University’s legacy giving society and oversees the administration of matured estate gifts. In partnership with the Senior Director of Donor Relations & Advancement Communications, the Director supports meaningful stewardship and recognition of legacy donors.
The Director works collaboratively across Advancement—including Alumni Engagement, Annual Giving, Prospect Research, Advancement Operations, and the Business Office—to ensure coordinated donor engagement and effective planned giving strategies.Develops and implements strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward planned gifts that support the creation and growth of endowed and long-term legacy funds aligned with the university’s strategic priorities.
25%Manages a portfolio of legacy giving prospects and donors, conducting donor visits and conversations to secure bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, retirement assets, and other deferred gifts.
20%Partners with the Director of Major Gifts and Major Gift Officers to identify and cultivate prospects with potential for blended and deferred gifts, providing expertise in planned giving vehicles and coordinating donor strategies within the Advancement moves management process.
15%Oversees the administration of matured estate gifts and works with legal counsel, financial advisors, and family representatives to ensure proper management and stewardship of realized estate gifts.
10%Partners with the Senior Director of Donor Relations & Advancement Communications to support stewardship, recognition, and engagement efforts for members of the University’s legacy giving society.
10%Collaborates with the Senior Director of Donor Relations & Advancement Communications to develop and implement a comprehensive planned giving marketing strategy that includes donor education initiatives, digital outreach, seminars, and outreach to professional advisors to increase awareness of legacy giving opportunities.
10%Works with Prospect Research and Advancement Operations to identify and qualify prospective planned giving donors and support strategic prospect management.
5%Collaborates with Alumni Engagement to identify and cultivate legacy giving prospects through alumni programming, reunion initiatives, and volunteer engagement opportunities that encourage long-term philanthropic support.
3%Works collaboratively with the university’s Finance and Business Office to ensure proper administration, accounting, and stewardship of realized estate gifts and other planned gift instruments.
2%Supplemental Functions:Represents the university at alumni gatherings, donor events, and planned giving informational programs.
Participates in advancement planning discussions and supports initiatives that strengthen philanthropic engagement and long-term donor relationships.
Maintains knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in planned giving, estate planning, and philanthropic tax strategies.
Has the ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally to meet with donors and prospects.
Education:Required: Bachelor’s degree
Years of Experience:- Preferred: Seven to ten years of progressively responsible fundraising experience with demonstrated success securing planned or major gifts.
- Experience in higher education advancement strongly preferred.
- Experience working with donors and advisors on estate planning or deferred giving strategies preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Knowledge of charitable gift planning vehicles, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, and other deferred giving strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to discuss charitable estate planning strategies with donors and professional advisors and translate complex gift planning concepts into clear philanthropic opportunities.
- Ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward significant philanthropic commitments in support of institutional priorities.
- Ability to collaborate on planned giving marketing initiatives, including donor education, legacy giving storytelling, seminars, and outreach to professional advisors.
- Strong relationship-building skills with donors, alumni, volunteers, and external advisors, including estate attorneys, financial planners, and wealth managers.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with professional advisors, including estate attorneys, financial planners, and wealth managers, to support planned giving opportunities.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across Advancement—including Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement, Donor Relations, and Advancement Operations—to support integrated fundraising strategies.
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:Willingness to travel locally and regionally to meet with donors and attend university events. While performing required job tasks, physically able to remain seated frequently and use a computer and office equipment. Occasional standing and lifting of materials up to 25 pounds may be required.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
Full-time employees at SBU enjoy unparalleledBenefits
Abundance of Time off
Tuition Remission
- 100% undergraduate tuition remission for employee, spouse, and dependents
- 80% graduate tuition remission for employee (online and ground programs)
- 50% for spouse (ground programs only)
Full Benefit package
- 403b Retirement Plan + 10% Employer contribution after 2 years
- Health Insurance with $250 Wellness card
- Dental Insurance
- Employer Paid Life insurance
- Short-term Disability
- Employer Paid Long-term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
Other Perks
- Free access to campus fitness center
- 2 free Division 1 Men’s Basketball Season tickets
- Golf course membership discount
- Other National and Local discounts available
St. Bonaventure University is located in the scenic Enchanted Mountain region of Western New York, approximately 75 miles south of Buffalo, New York, with easy access to major metropolitan areas. A close-knit and caring community guided by its values of compassion, wisdom and integrity, St. Bonaventure is dedicated to academic excellence as informed by its Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. The university is committed to developing an inclusive community and preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.
The university currently enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 graduate students in its schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Communication, and Health Professions. U.S. News & World Report ranks SBU in the top 15% of regional universities in the North, for both value and overall. St. Bonaventure is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (NCAA Division I), with athletes participating in 20 sports.
