Gift Planning Officer

About the role

Does the opportunity to devote your talents to a cause much greater than yourself excite you? Are you energized by building meaningful relationships that help donors create a lasting impact for generations to come? The Arbor Day Foundation is a place where you can do work that matters with people who care. As we say at the Foundation: life is short, love where you work. As one of the world's largest conservation organizations, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. We help people understand and use trees as a solution to global issues (like air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty, and hunger) that are critical to survival. Join the Arbor Day Foundation as a Gift Planning Officer on the Development team to grow and strengthen our planned giving program. You’ll play a pivotal role in cultivating donor relationships, securing legacy gifts, and building a pipeline that supports long-term mission impact.

Your Support System

You’ll report to the Director, Development. You’ll collaborate with Development Officers, Individual Engagement, Marketing, and cross-functional partners including legal and accounting to secure and steward planned gifts effectively.

Schedule

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska. Schedule: In-office Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; optional remote work on Wednesday and Friday. Travel: 10–15% for donor visits, events, and trainings.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate, solicit, and secure planned gifts including bequests, estate gifts, and gifts of non-cash assets
• Build and manage a portfolio of planned giving prospects, guiding donors from initial engagement through commitment
• Develop lead generation strategies and donor experiences in partnership with Marketing and Individual Engagement
• Identify major gift opportunities within the planned giving pipeline and collaborate with Development Officers to grow lifetime giving
• Deliver a high-quality, personalized donor experience through thoughtful outreach, stewardship, and relationship management
• Leverage tools such as CRM, FreeWill, and DonorSearch to support pipeline growth and reporting
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions, commitments, and strategies
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure planned gifts are properly processed, documented, and stewarded
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen donor experience and operational efficiency

Qualifications

• Passion for the Foundation’s mission, nature, environmental stewardship, and people
• Experience in planned giving, major gifts, financial planning, estate planning, charitable advising, or related relationship-based work
• Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and gifts of non-cash assets (stock, real estate, etc.)
• Ability to analyze donor data, identify high-potential prospects, and prioritize pipeline opportunities
• Proven ability to build and steward meaningful donor relationships and secure philanthropic commitments
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex giving strategies into clear, compelling conversations
• A highly relational, detail-oriented approach with professionalism, empathy, and discretion
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build strong cross-functional partnerships

Benefits

• Health & Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage – Multiple plan options, including PPO and HDHP. Company-Paid Life Insurance – $15,000 basic coverage, plus voluntary options. Short- & Long-Term Disability – Fully covered by the company. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential counseling and resources for you and your family. Supplemental Insurance Options – Accident, Critical Illness (includes infertility coverage), and Hospital Indemnity plans available for additional protection.
• Financial Wellness: 401(k) Retirement Plan – Immediate eligibility with company match up to 5%; full vesting after 5 years. Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account – Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Time Off & Leave: Paid Holidays – Eight paid holidays, one floating holiday, and an annual “Unplug