Partnership Engagement Officer (Estate & Gift Planning)

Partnership Engagement Officer (Estate & Gift Planning)

Work Location:

Remote - USA

Schedule:

Full time

This position plays a critical role in advancing InterVarsity’s mission by partnering with the National Director of Estate and Gift Planning, Estate and Gift Planning Officers, the Development Team, and ministry leaders. This position focuses on identifying, qualifying, and engaging ministry partners to secure deferred gifts and current asset-based gifts in support of national and territorial/regional priorities aligned with InterVarsity’s vision. Additionally, this role is responsible for stewarding relationships with existing legacy donors, ensuring their continued engagement and partnership in sustaining the ministry.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Personal

• Be a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ: growing in love for God, God's Word, God's people of every ethnicity and culture, and God's purposes in the world
• Cultivate an abundance mentality based in the love of God
• Commit to lifelong learning by valuing the discipleship of the mind and staying updated on fundraising principles and best practices
• Develop familiarity with current topics and concerns within church denominations that may influence InterVarsity’s ministry partners
• Stay informed about InterVarsity’s work on college campuses, including updates from Collegiate Ministries and Graduate and Faculty Ministries

Ministry Partner Relationship Engagement Functions

• Cultivate & Steward Donor Relationships: Actively manage a portfolio of qualified planned gift prospects and legacy partners. Build meaningful relationships to cultivate, steward, and secure gifts aligned with fund development goals.
• Personalize Gift Planning Strategies: Develop tailored follow-up plans that reflect each donor's passions, interests, and estate planning needs. Address donor concerns, craft compelling proposals, and coordinate efforts to secure non-cash asset and legacy gifts effectively.
• Donor Engagement: Foster connections through personal interactions and timely communications, including outreach, follow-ups, and answering inquiries to build lasting relationships.
• Impactful Stewardship: Express gratitude and strengthen donor relationships through personalized thank-you notes, impact updates, and exclusive invitations to legacy donor events to ensure their ongoing engagement and partnership in sustaining the ministry.
• Portfolio Management: Evaluate donor progression, advancing individuals through moves management, reassigning as needed to optimize engagement, or remove from the assigned list, as appropriate.
• Network: Identify and engage new planned giving prospects who share the values and traits of InterVarsity’s legacy donors, using proven practices to nurture lasting relationships.

Donor Stewardship and Spiritual Care

• Engage in relational discipleship with donors, viewing your interactions as part of their spiritual journey.
• Facilitate intentional conversations with donors about spiritual matters, including financial stewardship, their role as philanthropists, and how God is using them in their business and giving.
• Guide donors in discernment by following a thoughtful process to help them explore God’s calling for their financial support.
• Maintain ongoing communication over a 6–18 month period when working on specific gifts, fostering a meaningful relationship throughout the process.
• Incorporate prayer as a central element in donor meetings, leading, inviting, and initiating prayer regularly.
• Stay informed on relevant discussions within the Church and broader culture about money, and suggest ways for donors to seek God’s guidance in their giving decisions.
• Honor the spiritual nature of giving by walking alongside donors in their journey of stewardship and encouraging a deeper understanding of their role in managing God’s resources.

Contribute to the Effectiveness of InterVarsity’s Estate and Gift Planning (EGP) Team

• Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Work closely with fellow Gift Officers across EGP, Major, and Mid-Level sectors and Development staff to amplify our collective impact.
• Collaborate with regional Field staff to engage current donors, present planned giving options and support campus, regional, etc. ministry accounts.
• Serve as a resource for InterVarsity staff, offering expertise on planned giving techniques and best practices.
• Partner with staff to involve donors in the growth and stewardship of InterVarsity Legacy Funds, aligning with their philanthropic goals.
• Cultivate and maintain trusting, collaborative relationships across all levels of InterVarsity, fostering a unified and effective organizational culture.

• Donor and Data Management

• Maintain accurate donor records by updating InterVarsity’s CRM system (currently Salesforce) as needed.
• Ensure donor engagement strategies align with organizational goals and standards.

• Participation in Strategic Activities

• Actively participate in Estate & Gift Planning, Strategic Giving, and Development team meetings as necessary.
• Contribute to Development and NSC Community gatherings to support team collaboration and growth.
• Attend and support assigned InterVarsity events, such as Urbana, National Staff Conference, and Guest Programs.
• Foster a collaborative and unified Development team environment.

• Professional Growth and Industry Compliance
  • Stay informed on trends in estate and gift planning and participate in relevant educational opportunities.
  • Collaborate with your supervisor to identify growth opportunities—such as training, conferences, and coaching—that enhance your skills, spiritual depth, and maturity.
• Administration
  • Work within InterVarsity’s policies and procedures.
  • Be mindful of InterVarsity’s and your budget.
  • Carry out additional administrative work as requested.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned to support the team’s mission and goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment and Values
  • Annually affirm InterVarsity’s Statement of Faith.
  • Passion for InterVarsity’s mission to influence higher education redemptively.
  • Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and spiritual maturity.
• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience is either preferred or required.
  • Development/fundraising experience preferred.
  • Experience with InterVarsity’s campus ministry is a plus.

• Technical and Professional Skills
  • Familiarity with moves management in fundraising.
  • Skilled in asking for specific gifts, addressing objections, and planning next steps to close gifts successfully.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Salesforce or other CRM experience preferred.

• Communication and Interpersonal Abilities
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong emotional intelligence and relationship-building abilities.
  • Ability to navigate and respect both InterVarsity’s culture and the culture of major donors.

• Organizational and Problem-Solving Skills
  • Strong organizational and stewardship skills in managing time, finances, and materials.
  • Self-starter with initiative and a strong work ethic.
  • Independent problem solver.
  • Ability to manage deadlines effectively.
  • Quick learner of new concepts, methods, and tools.

• Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Committed to and effective in working within diverse team environments.
  • Capable of collaboration in a complex organizational setting.

• Additional Requirements
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality with donor information.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally for InterVarsity events and conferences as needed.

Pay Range: $55,200.00 - $73,608.00 per year

Benefits:

We offer a competitive benefits package, including health care and retirement savings with a match. Eligibility is based on employee type and hours worked.  Benefits include the following:

• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

• 403(b) matching contributions

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Employee discounts

• Flexible work schedule

• Flexible spending accounts

• Health insurance

• Health savings account

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Parental leave

• Professional development assistance

• Vision insurance

Equal Employment Opportunity: 

 

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is both an equal opportunity employer and a faith-based religious organization. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual. The status of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA as an equal opportunity employer does not prevent the organization from hiring staff based on their religious beliefs so that all staff share the same religious commitment.  Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 (42 U.S.C. 2000e 1(a)) InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA has the right to, and does, hire only candidates who agree with InterVarsity’s Statement of Agreement: Purpose and Doctrinal Basis because InterVarsity believes that each and every staff plays a vital role in advancing InterVarsity’s mission and purposes. 

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