Planned Giving Specialist, Senior Planned Giving Specialist

About the Role

Planned Giving Specialist / Senior Planned Giving Specialist (Level commensurate with experience)

Development Yorktown Heights, New York

Salary: USD 60000.00 - 80000.00 Annually

Description

At Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals seeking greater independence.  We are dedicated to creating and supporting life-changing partnerships between people and dogs.

At our facilities, we breed, raise, and train exceptional guide dogs – and match them with individuals ready to embrace a life of greater freedom, confidence, and possibility.  Together, they embark on incredible life adventures.  Are you ready to play a role in that journey?  Join us and help be a part of transforming lives.

Our incredible dogs make our mission possible – and working with them will inspire you!  We put our clients first, striving to exceed their expectations by providing exceptional dogs trained to meet their unique needs and empower them to live the lives they choose.

Planned Giving Specialist / Senior Planned Giving Specialist (Level commensurate with experience)

The Planned Giving Specialist plays an important role in advancing the mission of Guiding Eyes as a key member of the Planned Giving team.  This position supports the administration of bequests and leads donor acquisition and stewardship efforts that drive both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.

As part of a robust and growing Planned Giving program, this role ensures the accurate, timely, and thoughtful administration of estate gifts while maintaining a high level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.  In parallel, it fosters meaningful relationships with donors, providing responsive, high-touch engagement and a strong sense of connection to the organization’s mission.

This position will help share the story of the organization’s life-changing work with donors and the broader community.  Through thoughtful stewardship, personalized outreach, and compelling storytelling, this role inspires confidence in the impact of philanthropic support – helping to build lasting partnerships, expand the organization’s reach, and transform lives, one guide dog team at a time.

We’re seeking a proactive, thoughtful communicator who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.  If you are passionate about building meaningful connections, delivering exceptional donor experiences, and contributing to work that transforms lives, we encourage you to apply.

The Role

This is a hybrid position based at our Yorktown Heights, NY campus, alternating between in-office and remote work.

Bequest Administration 

• Review and manage all incoming planned giving correspondence, ensuring accurate and timely updates in Salesforce and the organized maintenance of paper and electronic files.

• Manage new bequest setups with diligence and attention to detail, including:

  • Entering and verifying donor and bequest information in Salesforce

  • Reviewing donor history to ensure continuity and context

  • Preparing thoughtful acknowledgment letters for attorneys/executors and requesting necessary documentation

  • Establishing comprehensive and accurate tracking systems and files

• Administer active bequests and trusts with a focus on precision and follow-through, including:

  • Recording distributions and processing gifts accurately in Salesforce

  • Preparing donor-centered acknowledgments and related correspondence

  • Maintaining proactive and respectful communication with attorneys and executors

  • Ensuring all records and documentation are complete, current, and readily accessible

• Complete claim processes for beneficiary-designated assets (IRAs, brokerage, and bank accounts) with accuracy and persistence.

• Support audit processes by assembling documentation in a timely and organized manner.

• Assist with Charitable Gift Annuities, ensuring careful tracking, compliance, and follow-up, including monitoring payments and supporting recovery efforts as needed.

Donor Stewardship and Cultivation

• Respond thoughtfully to planned giving inquiries, ensuring each donor receives clear, timely, and personalized information.

• Support the Pathfinder Society (legacy society) with a focus on meaningful recognition and engagement, including:

  • Preparing personalized welcome and acknowledgment materials

  • Maintaining accurate donor preferences and records

  • Maintaining accurate donor preferences and records

• Assist with stewardship-related travel and events, including coordinating logistics, preparing donor materials, and supporting on-site engagement to ensure a thoughtful and seamless donor experience.

• Help coordinate consistent and personal outreach, including birthday and holiday communications.

• Prepare donor lists for publications with a high level of accuracy and respect for donor recognition preferences.

• Assist in maintaining communication lists to ensure donors receive information in their preferred format.

• Maintain accurate and respectful records of both current and deceased donors, recognizing the importance of legacy and memory in planned giving.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide support to Development initiatives, cross-functional projects, events, and campaigns in alignment with organizational priorities.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the departmental and organizational mission.

Qualifications You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Self-motivated and dependable, with the ability to build meaningful connections with donors, supporters, and the public, demonstrating poise, warmth, and a passion for advancing Guiding Eyes’ mission.

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and respond thoughtfully and tactfully, both verbally and in writing.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Flexible and adaptable team player who is comfortable taking on new challenges and supporting shared goals across a collaborative environment.

• High level of discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

• Consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, professional demeanor, and welcoming presence.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience working with Salesforce or a similar CRM, or demonstrated ability to learn quickly.

• Demonstrated interest in charitable estate and gift planning and willingness to develop knowledge of planned giving fundamentals.

• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of donor engagement, events, and organizational priorities.

• Willingness and ability to travel as needed, including, but not limited to, day trips, overnight stays (which may include weekends), and airline travel within the U.S. and Canada.

• Comfortable working in an environment with large, active dogs.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in fundraising, development, or a related nonprofit environment.

• Familiarity with, or interest in, charitable estate and gift planning, including planned giving vehicles and related tax considerations.

• Experience with planned giving software such as PG Calc.

Salary Range: $60k - $80k 

Guiding Eyes for the Blind offers a comprehensive benefits package including the following:

• Competitive and generous healthcare (Medical/Dental/Vision)

• 403(b)

• Life Insurance

• Paid Time Off and Holidays

• You are invited to bring your well-behaved dog to work

The above job description is intended to be a general description of the requirements and duties of this position. It is one of inclusion, not exclusion.  Any Guiding Eyes for the Blind employee must be willing to perform tasks not specified within their specific job description, so long as those tasks are in the best interests of Guiding Eyes for the Blind and are tasks which the individual is capable of performing.