Planned and Major Gifts Officer

About Pacific Forest Trust  

Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) delivers landscape-scale private forest conservation in the West and develops innovative incentives for forest conservation at the national level. We do so in ways that reward private landowners for managing for public benefits, i.e. clean water, a healthy climate, and habitat for abundant native wildlife. Our work sustains rural communities and restores resilient forest landscapes across ownership boundaries.  PFT is recognized nationally as a leader in developing new payment systems for ecosystems services, from climate to carbon, working forest conservation easements, watershed and habitat services, and sustainable, renewable biomass energy.  

About the Opportunity 

Pacific Forest Trust’s Development Department is looking to add a new team member who will share a passion for Pacific Forest Trust’s work and commitment to advancing legacy and major gifts in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Reporting primarily to the Director of Development and ultimately in support of PFTs Strategic Directions for growth and impact, the Planned and Major Gifts Officer is responsible for the cultivation and stewardship of loyal, major, donors. The Officer will be responsible for identifying legacy intentions, and promoting and gaining legacy gifts while also stewarding donors who have already included Pacific Forest Trust in their estate plans. They will partner in gaining major annual gifts as well from many of these donors. Candidate must demonstrate outstanding professionalism and discretion, strong self-motivation and proactivity, strategic thinking, organization and attention to detail, and good judgment and creativity. Excellent writing and oral communication skills, as well as people skills, are essential. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Solicit and steward existing PFT donors in face-to-face meetings; requires travel primarily within California and Oregon with occasional trips to additional states.  
• Prepare gift proposals and provide additional information as needed to help secure planned gifts.  
• Inform and educate donors about various gift offerings that will address their philanthropic and financial goals while providing support for PFT.  
• Work with attorneys and financial advisors as needed.  
• Input donor contact information into the PFT database.  
• Secure donor testimonials for use in direct mail, PFT web pages, and other marketing materials.  
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects for bequests and other planned gifts.  
• With external vendor(s), plan, and conduct outreach program for planned gifts through direct mail, newsletters, advertisements, and the website  
• Conduct personal visits with donors with the goal of identifying planned gift prospects and of maintaining a portfolio of 100-125 donors and prospects.  
• Interact with prospective donors and their financial counsel.  
• Evaluate individual donors' financial circumstances.  
• Help grow and recruit new members of PFTs major giving circle.  
• Prepare gift annuity contracts and acknowledgments and coordinate the administration of planned gifts.  
• Develop and maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local tax and legal issues related to charitable giving.  
• With President and Development Director analyze demographic and other data to determine the most appropriate prospects within the donor base and community for both planned and major gifts.  
• Compose creative, persuasive letters and other materials with input from the Development and Communications team.  
• Participate in donor cultivation events.  
• Maintain deep knowledge of PFT programs and activities.  Attend PFT events as requested, and perform any other related duties as may be assigned.  
• All other duties and responsibilities, as assigned by the Director of Development. 

REPORTS TO the Director of Development, working collaboratively with the Development and Communications Team 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE  

• Bachelor's degree is required; advanced degree (MA or JD) preferred.   
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience, with at least 2 years of planned giving experience. 
• Strong knowledge of tax, financial and estate planning issues.  
• Must be a self-starter. 
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills. 
• Strong initiative, perseverance, and resilience. 
• Personable and flexible.  
• Strong capacity to manage time and competing priorities; able to meet timelines/deadlines. 
• Comfortable and effective working in a small, busy organization.   
• Committed to PFT’s mission 

LOCATION 

PFT’s main office is in the Presidio of San Francisco, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 

SALARY 

$75,000 - $95,000, Salary is determined by a number of factors including education, experience, skills, training, and location.  

TO APPLY 

Please send a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, including how you heard about this opportunity, to jobs@pacificforest.org.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.