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Director Gift Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Director Gift Planning information

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$67.5K

$113.6K

$208K

How much do director gift planning jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for director gift planning in the United States is $113,568.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,000.00 and $118,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Director Gift Planning job?

A Director of Gift Planning is responsible for developing and managing planned giving programs to secure long-term financial support for an organization, typically a nonprofit or university. They work with donors, financial advisors, and legal professionals to structure gifts such as bequests, charitable trusts, and annuities. Their role involves donor cultivation, strategic planning, and ensuring compliance with legal and tax regulations. The goal is to align donor interests with the organization's mission while maximizing the impact of philanthropic contributions.

What are the typical responsibilities of a Director Gift Planning on a day-to-day basis?

A Director Gift Planning typically oversees the development and implementation of strategies to secure major and planned gifts, working closely with donors, financial advisors, and legal professionals. On a daily basis, you may meet with prospective and current donors, craft personalized giving proposals, and collaborate with the development, finance, and legal teams to ensure compliance and donor intent. The role also involves analyzing giving trends, maintaining donor relationships, and organizing educational workshops or events related to planned giving. This position requires balancing strategic planning with hands-on relationship management to maximize philanthropic impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Director Gift Planning position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Gift Planning, you need expertise in philanthropic strategy, estate planning, and nonprofit fundraising, often complemented by a degree in business, finance, or a related field. Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, planned giving software, and relevant certifications such as the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) can be advantageous. Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and leadership skills help foster donor trust and manage cross-functional teams. These competencies are crucial for developing impactful gift plans, securing major contributions, and advancing organizational fundraising goals.

More about Director Gift Planning jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Gift Planning jobs? Cities with the most Director Gift Planning job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Gift Planning jobs? The most popular types of Gift Planning jobs are:
What states have the most Director Gift Planning jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Gift Planning jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Gift Planning job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 23% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 64% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 35% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,568 per year, or $54.6 per hour.
Director, Gift Planning

Other

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Overview
NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world's most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.
Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America's foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).
Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org
NRDC is seeking a Director, Gift Planning, to work with the Development Team in any of our U.S. based offices, with a preference for New York, Washington, D.C., or Chicago.
Position Summary
NRDC is seeking a Director, Gift Planning to secure planned gifts by identifying and building relationships with those donors who have a propensity for making future gifts for the organization and manage two additional planned giving officers. As a member of the Gift Planning team, this individual will work closely with the Senior Director, Gift Planning, gift planning team and major and membership gift officers to conduct solicitations for planned gifts.
Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:
โ€ข Create and execute front-line comprehensive strategy and workplan in line with department goals and increase planned giving donors nationally
โ€ข Strategically manage a portfolio of prospects (200-300) with capacity and interest from
โ€ข identification to securing planned gifts
โ€ข Partner with membership gift officers to Identify, cultivate and motivate members to make significant gifts, assisting them with gift planning strategies to increase the number of planned gifts nationally
โ€ข Strategize with Major Gift and Membership Gift Officers to identify planned giving prospects from their respective portfolios and increase the number of blended gifts to NRDC
โ€ข Plan events that maximize donor and prospect cultivation opportunities
โ€ข Cultivate prospects and current gift planning donors through in-person visits, phone calls, written correspondence
โ€ข Develop a strong working knowledge of NRDC funding priorities and campaign objectives specifically to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents
โ€ข Manage and mentor a gift planning team by partnering, coaching, equipping and encouraging development staff to pursue planned gift opportunities, assisting them in the design and implementation of individualized strategies for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation and stewardship of planned, major and blended gifts as appropriate
The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position's responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required
  • 7+ years of previous work experience in gift planning fundraising or related experience with proven success of 6-7-figure planned gifts
  • 3+ years of previous experience in direct supervision or management of others

Skills, Abilities, Competencies
  • Proficiency in Salesforce (or similar database) and PGCalc
  • Creative problem-solving skills to engage and cultivate relationships with donors
  • Efficient multi-tasker and flexible in working towards philanthropy goals
  • Familiarity with financial, legal and investment topics relating to gift planning and the ability to communicate those topics in lay person's language
  • Enthusiastic, outgoing, and can handle simultaneous, ongoing projects
  • Ability to work independently and with a team
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • A commitment to continued education regarding gift planning and fundraising in general
  • Keen interest in nature and the environment is preferred
  • Management, functional buildout, and strategy development are expected to comprise approximately 50% of the role.
  • Donor-facing activities are expected to make up approximately 40-50% of the role. This will include local, regional, and occasional national travel for in-person donor meetings, retreats, and time spent with NRDC staff.
  • Commitment to NRDC's mission, values, and DEI principles is essential.

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $145,000 to $170,000.
NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.
As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.
To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your rรฉsumรฉ and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person rรฉsumรฉ drop-offs.
If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.
For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.