Join our Development team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and build meaningful connections with donors! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a permanent full-time Senior Development Office, Planned Giving (SDO, Planned Giving) who will be responsible for promoting our Planned Giving Program and attracting legacy gifts to the zoo, as well as managing the relationships and commitments that result. The SDO, Planned Giving is an outstanding ambassador for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, the development department and to all external audiences.
The SDO, Planned Giving is a senior development professional with extensive experience in gift planning and a proven track record of identifying, cultivating and closing legacy prospects to support the organization’s fundraising priorities. They will be committed to managing relationships with donors and stakeholders by adopting a philosophy of “donor delight” to ensure donors remain engaged with the organization. They manage a portfolio of accounts to ensure assigned legacy donors and prospects are properly identified, prioritized, cultivated and stewarded.
Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

• Research and prioritize prospects for potential planned giving donations.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, prospective donors, professional advisors and key stakeholders.
• Arrange calls and meetings with current donors, prospective donors, members and professional advisors for the purpose of discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship to enhance relationships.
• Advise donors on various planned giving options (e.g., bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, life insurance).
• Collaborate with legal and financial advisors to structure gifts that meet donor intentions and organizational needs.
• Provide development team with guidance and technical expertise on planned gifts to support future bequests and other giving options.
• Join team members as needed on calls with current and prospective donors to support their planned giving discussions.
• Establish a network of contacts with various professionals, associations, and work in consultation with tax and estate planning professionals.
• Steward current planned gift donors.
• Determine value and expectancy time lines as notification of each bequest is received; record all particulars with each corresponding estate lawyer and/or executor.
• Ensure distribution of tax receipts and letters to appropriate administrator.
• Maintain a summary of all expectancies and record all information.
• Meet agreed targets including dollars raised, face to face activity, number of asks and portfolio size.
• Draft and execute a planned giving growth plan with a target of $1M+ annually.
• Develop and implement planned giving strategy, process and procedures, templates, policies, communication strategy and relevant educational training for the development team.
• Work with the team to host planned giving donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Manage impact reports and stewardship letters for legacy donors.
• Prepare and present proposals and supplemental materials to planned giving prospects.
• Oversee development of marketing materials and campaigns to promote planned giving opportunities.
• Budget development and implementation for the planned giving program.
• Assist with implementation of donor recognition events, as relevant to the portfolio.
• Enter all pertinent information relating to donor relationship, notes, and actions into Tessitura.
• Manage projects as assigned, with the support of the Manager, Philanthropy.
• Embrace continuous education on relevant organizational information which affects this role
• Stay informed about trends in philanthropy, tax law, and estate planning. Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards in gift planning.
• Performs other responsibilities as required.