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PLANNED GIVING MANAGER
SONOMA LAND TRUST

THIS POSITION IS HYBRID, WHICH MEANS THAT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL NEED TO WORK IN THE OFFICE IN SANTA ROSA A MINIMUM OF TWO DAYS PER WEEK.

“We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road – the one less traveled by – offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth."

- Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

ABOUT SONOMA LAND TRUST

Our county is one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse counties in the United States. Sonoma Land Trust believes it is a treasure that should be enjoyed by our community and protected for future generations. From acquiring land and conservation easements to restoring land and the natural properties on which we depend, to protecting land for wildlife and recreation, SLT works tirelessly to find ways to preserve the beauty and vitality of Sonoma County. Additionally, they engage the community in the importance and value of this work through outdoor activities and outreach.

Sonoma Land Trust is a local, non-governmental, nonprofit organization funded largely by membership contributions. The Land Trust works closely with private landowners, Sonoma Ag + Open Space and other public agencies at all levels of government, nonprofit partners and foundations. Sonoma Land Trust is a member of the California Council of Land Trusts and is accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected nearly 58,000 acres of beautiful, productive and environmentally significant land in and around Sonoma County.

Sonoma Land Trust maintains a diverse and expansive network of partnerships to accomplish a wide range of projects. Thanks to the generosity of those who trust in their work, they have been carrying out this mission for more than 45 years.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Planned Giving Manager (PGM) is a key member of the Philanthropy team who oversees and implements the planned giving program. The person in this role will lead the marketing and execution of planned giving program, managing a portfolio of stewarding donors who are part of the Legacy League or have the potential to make a planned gift to SLT. 

This role involves sustaining positive and mutually rewarding relations between Sonoma Land Trust and its donors, strategizing individual cultivation plans for selected donors, soliciting donations, reviewing articles for publications and providing general event and administrative support as needed. The PGM will work closely with the Director of Philanthropy and the Philanthropy Team to achieve departmental goals together.

Executive Director of Sonoma Land Trust, Eamon O’Byrne, shares: “We have intentionally built and cultivated a culture of philanthropy at SLT. At SLT, fundraising is everyone’s job! We believe that donors engaging in this work are bringing about systemic change on how we care for a support the life support systems of our planet.”

For more information, please visit https://sonomalandtrust.org

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Associate Director of Philanthropy.

OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Salary range for this role is $125,000-$140,000

  • Benefits include: 

    • PTO (begin with 2 weeks per year; accrual increases over time)

    • 13 scheduled holidays; 2 floating holidays

    • Paid sick leaves: 10 days per year

    • Medical, Dental and Vision (100% employee premium paid by SLT)

    • Health Savings Account (SLT contribution up to $300 per month when enrolled in certain health plan)

    • 403(b) retirement savings

    • Section 125 Pre-Tax Plans

  • The opportunity to serve as a voice for nature and to protect the land of Sonoma County forever

YOU ARE

  • Experienced fundraising professional with extensive work in planned giving

  • Thoughtful, collaborative colleague with all members of the Philanthropy Team in service of an exceptional donor experience

  • Passionate leader and community builder in terms of conserving land for future generations

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and expand a comprehensive Legacy League program, which includes marketing material (online and print), appeals and events.

  • Create and manage a portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects through all stages of the planned giving gift cycle. 

  • Collaborate with other members of the philanthropy team to develop and implement strategies and actions to identify, cultivate, solicit, and provide stewardship to prospects of planned gifts, including preparation and presentation of planned gift illustrations as needed. 

  • Accompany board and staff leadership on select donor visits.

  • Maximize personal contact with members through proactive contact by phone, handwritten mail, email and personal visits.

  • Prepare and provide training and mentorship to all gift officers on planned giving. 

  • Participate in developing development department goals.

  • Follow up on inquiries in response to planned giving efforts from all prospecting channels. 

  • Research donors and prospects.

  • Ensure donor contacts, including planned giving donors are acknowledged according to guidelines.

  • Review content of communications material, such as newsletter, website, and other material as required.

  • Manage institutional relationship with any marketing consultants, and oversee development of planned giving program newsletters, emails, brochures, postcards etc. 

  • Make presentations to groups as required and assist with developing presentation materials, as needed.

  • Work with staff and/or contracted event planners for Legacy League members. Assist with other special events and donor functions as needed.

  • Update donor database in coordination with Philanthropy team.

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director and Philanthropy team to expand an internal and external culture of philanthropy.

COMPETENCIES

  • Minimum of five years of experience in planned giving and three years in a frontline fundraising role

  • J.D. preferred but not required

  • Skilled at thinking strategically about donor engagement

  • Knowledge of estate planning, including wills, trusts and estate and gift tax laws

  • Genuine interest in the field of planned giving, with a desire to learn more.

  • Excellent social skills, with both large groups and individuals

  • Adept at problem solving in situations requiring independent initiative and tact

  • Ability to use good judgment, set priorities, work independently, and adjust work habits to accommodate deadlines

  • Ability to handle a variety of concurrent tasks efficiently

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and experience working with a digital donor database

  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends

  • Ability to travel throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and a valid driver’s license

  • BA/BS from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience

  • Commitment to the mission of Sonoma Land Trust

EQUITY STATEMENT 

SLT serves a diverse audience with broad cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and orientations. We encourage applications from candidates who reflect and value the audiences and populations we serve. SLT enthusiastically welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds, experience, and transferrable skills.

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment that is representative of the communities we serve. We know that having varied perspectives leads to better outcomes to solve the complex problems of conservation, climate change and environmental justice in Sonoma County. And to best serve the people of our community, we are taking the actions outlined in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan.

Sonoma Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive organization and encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, national or regional origins, sexes, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law. 

OUR LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT

As we pursue our mission of conserving land in Sonoma County, we recognize that we stand upon the unceded ancestral lands of many Indigenous peoples. We honor their knowledge, care and stewardship of this special place across the ages and acknowledge the deep and lasting damage that colonization has inflicted on them. We embrace our responsibility to learn from and protect their cultural and traditional connections to the land.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, or to request additional information on the opportunity, please click this link send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.