GLAD Assistant Director of Planned & Individual Giving

Since 1978, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has achieved scores of precedent-setting legal victories to end discrimination based on gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and HIV status. Time after time, GLAD has broken through resistance and prejudice to make real progress for transgender rights, family protections and marriage equality, LGBTQ+ youth rights, protections for people living with HIV and much more. GLAD is focused on working at the cutting edge of LGBTQ+ rights, advancing strategies to address discrimination occurring at the intersections of race and LGBTQ+ status, and keeping a close watch on a counter-movement that is fighting hard to roll back critical progress.

GLAD has recently adopted a new strategic plan that calls for significant organizational growth and a deepened commitment to a national presence. We are doubling the size of our legal team to address the volume of hate-fueled legislation that is being introduced, and to proactively move our agenda forward nationwide. In April 2023 we publicly launched the $1.85M Justice For All campaign to initiate this expansion. Those funds, combined with transformative planned gifts received this year, are providing the launching point for this growth.

As GLAD prepares to begin a robust national search for the Executive Director to steer the organization’s next chapter, the Board is pleased to bring on lifelong LGBTQ+ activist Richard Burns as Interim Executive Director. Richard Burns is leading GLAD through the transition and his extensive knowledge of and network in the LGBTQ+ community will be an asset as we educate individuals about planned giving and seek their support.

About the Opportunity

The Development Department supports GLAD’s work by raising money from individual donations, fundraising events, corporate, and grant funding. Data shows that over $128B is expected in bequests from LGBTQ+ people in the next 5-7 years. This position will capitalize on that wealth transfer to identify new and steward known planned gifts to GLAD. 

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Planned & Individual Giving will manage strategies to facilitate and grow GLAD’s individual and planned giving programs. They will be an externally facing fundraiser working collaboratively with the major gifts team, senior leadership, development committee, and Board of Directors to foster meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors. Starting out, the AD of Planned & Individual Giving will be responsible for a portfolio of individual donors worth approximately $100,000 annually. They will join a development team of seven full time employees and three interns. The team aims to raise $4.5 million in fiscal year 2025.

Responsibilities for this position:

• Implement strategies to engage, renew, and acquire donors and prospects for GLAD’s Legacy Society (planned gifts) through in person meetings, events, video chats, direct mail, phone, email solicitation, and participation in external planned giving initiatives.
• Prepare planned gift proposals with illustrations and provide sample bequest language to complete gift terms.
• Review and process incoming planned gifts from a variety of instruments by collaborating with GLAD staff, surviving family, advisors, attorneys, and executors as needed.
• Serve as an in-house expert on planned giving for colleagues and work with them to integrate planned giving into their solicitations.
• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects— implementing tailored, creative, and impactful stewardship plans, and soliciting planned and individual gifts directly and in coordination with other staff, board, and volunteers.
• Craft compelling donor language for social media, program updates, and other GLAD communications. 
• Execute individual giving campaigns and appeals including working with a consultant to write the appeal, managing the budget, and reporting results.
• Support the Development Committee of GLAD’s Board of Directors by creating and sharing agendas, progress reports, and promotional materials; taking and posting meeting notes; and tracking, reporting, and assisting with our Volunteer Portfolio Program.
• Embrace GLAD’s mission and demonstrate commitment to its organizational values. 

Qualifications: 

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We know people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

• At least 5 years of development or related experience. Some prior experience with planned gifts is required.
• Experience stewarding individual relationships with donors
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Suite and a fundraising database (Salesforce preferable). 
• Passion for GLAD’s mission  
• The ability to take initiative and follow-through in a fast-paced environment
• Experience as a direct supervisor, ideally in a fundraising role, is desirable but not required

Compensation Package/Location: The salary range for this role has been set $90,000 - $100,000 annually, with 3 weeks of paid vacation, 14 holidays, 401k participation and Safe Harbor contribution, health insurance, and professional development opportunities. This position is hybrid eligible: a portion of the job duties may be performed remotely, with some in-office (Boston) and in-person work (varied locations for meetings with donors), and attendance at GLAD events required. We seek candidates based in New England who will be able to work in person at the GLAD offices in Boston once per week. The GLAD team works standard office hours but a flexible work schedule is possible with the approval of the Director of Development.

About the Organization

GLAD provides a supportive and friendly work environment dedicated to groundbreaking achievement for LGBTQ identifying people and people living with HIV. During the 45-year history of the organization, GLAD has advanced civil rights through litigation, legislation, and public education.

GLAD has also deepened and sharpened our focus on racial justice work, including through reforming and dismantling systems that we know disproportionately harm LGBTQ BIPOC, such as the criminal justice, juvenile justice, and child welfare systems. We offer staff opportunities to affect change on the interconnections of race and LGBTQ status through their day-to-day work, professional development opportunities, and participation in our Racial and Economic Justice Working Group and GLAD for Economic Opportunity (GEO) committee.

GLAD requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated (including boosters, if eligible) against COVID-19 by their first day of employment. Employees may request an exemption to this policy as a reasonable accommodation for religious and/or medical reasons.

To Apply

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and up to date resume using the application portal administered by Positively Partners. Candidates who advance can expect an initial phone interview with the Positively Partners team, followed by a video interview with Carole Allen-Scannell. Finalists will be asked to participate in a multi-part interview with a range of stakeholders at GLAD. The targeted start date for this role is January 2024. 

GLAD is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in a multicultural environment. We encourage applications from people of color, transgender persons, and individuals with disabilities, including HIV.

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