Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org. 

Position Summary

The Lincoln Park Zoo is seeking a Planned Giving Manager to support and help expand its planned giving program. Reporting to the Director of Planned Giving, this role will provide administrative and project management support, as well as manage a portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects, working to deepen relationships and secure legacy commitments. The Planned Giving Manager will also play an important role in aligning planned giving strategies with institutional priorities, including a comprehensive fundraising campaign. This is an excellent opportunity for a development professional with at least three years of experience to help build upon a dynamic and integrated fundraising program that advances the long-term sustainability of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing and Stewardship

• Partners with the Director of Planned Giving to develop strategies to grow planned gifts and integrate planned giving into broader individual and campaign fundraising efforts.

• Works with internal and external partners to project manage planned giving marketing strategies, including but not limited to mailings, emails, website content, and on-grounds signage. 

• Tracks and analyzes planned giving marketing results.

• Implements comprehensive stewardship plan for members of the zoo’s Heritage Society, the zoo’s legacy circle, including but not limited to coordinating stewardship mailings, planning webinars, arranging tours, sending birthday and holiday cards, and providing customer service.
• Provides event planning support for two annual Heritage Society appreciation events each year.

Data, Bequest and Administrative Support

• Utilizes the donor database to track donor contacts and visits, maintain prospect and bequest pipelines, and pull reports.

• Maintains and updates the library of planned giving tools and templates, including gift agreements, Heritage Society membership forms, planned giving brochures, and acknowledgement letters.

• Supports the bequest administration process, including tracking estate status, maintaining files and preparing correspondence.

• Provides administrative support for professional advisory council, preparing meeting materials, coordinating meeting logistics, and tracking attendance.

• Maintains data integrity for all legacy society and planned gift information in the database.

Prospect Identification and Portfolio Management

• Manages a portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects, to cultivate, solicit, and steward legacy commitments.

• Responds to inquires generated from planned giving marketing materials and/or the website, fulfills requests for materials.

• Conducts donor prospect screening and assists with qualifying potential planned giving leads.

Other Duties

• Develops and maintains a thorough knowledge of planned giving vehicles that the zoo accepts and their associated tax benefits, engages in professional development to understand trends and leading practices in planned giving, and serves as a planned giving resource for other members of the Individual Giving team.

• Ensures confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive donor information and estate matters.

• Participate in Development events as necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in development, preferably with exposure to or interest in planned giving, major gifts, or individual fundraising.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills; must have strong written and verbal communication and listening skills.
• Must possess a strong work ethic and initiative, with the ability to work both as a member of a team and independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and interact professionally with donors, colleagues, vendors, and external advisors.
• Comfort working with donor databases/CRMs (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce); experience with prospect tracking and reporting tools preferred.
• Donor relations, event planning, and/or marketing experience preferred.
• Familiarity with or interest in estate planning, charitable giving vehicles, or financial/legal terminology is a plus.
• Availability to work occasional evening and weekend events when necessary.

Reports to: Director of Planned Giving

Position Type: Full-Time / Hybrid, in person 3 days a week

OUR PROMISE

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people.  For Wildlife. For All.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO BENEFITS

In addition to such standard benefits ( Blue Cross Blue Shield)  as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages, and a 403(b) savings plan with an institutional match, benefits of working at the zoo include (benefits are for regular full time employees):

• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
• Free on-site parking anytime with access to Lincoln Park, Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach
• Discounts on event tickets (free admission to select events), attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo
• Quarterly staff mingle events and “LPZooU” training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects
• Company contribution to Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)

Salary: $ $72,000 - $76,000

Apply Online or visit lpzoo.org.