Planned Giving Officer

With the mission ‘We inspire inspirational gifts’, Mackenzie Health Foundation raises funds for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health. The Foundation is spearheading a $250-million fundraising campaign – the largest to date for a community hospital in Canada – to advance patient care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and raise the community portion of funding to build and equip the state-of-the-art Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. The Foundation supports Mackenzie Health’s vision and mission to create a world-class health experience and to relentlessly improve care to create healthier communities. We are seeking to grow our inspired team with a Planned Giving Officer.

The Planned Giving Officer (PGO) will be a key member of the Foundation’s development team, and will work under the direction of the Director, Campaigns. The PGO will contribute to developing and executing an annual plan designed to secure most of the Foundation’s planned gifts, in addition to some major gifts ($25,000+).   He/she will manage their own portfolio of Planned Giving prospects in various stages of the development cycle to secured deferred gifts and will readily share their subject matter expertise across the Foundation’s various stakeholder groups to elevate the profile of Planned Giving portfolio.

Other responsibilities include meeting with individuals and composing reports and prospect correspondence; preparing other written materials including suggested bequest language and financial illustrations of gift vehicles for donors, their legal and financial advisors that are complex in nature; drafting documents to establish other forms of planned gifts; and, collaborating with other members of the Mackenzie health community to develop and execute strategies and realize goals.

Contribute to the Foundation by:

• Develop and lead strategies to cultivate and solicit Planned Giving prospects, who may also be prospective major gift donors, to leave a legacy gift to Mackenzie Health
• Advise and coordinate communication strategies to drive Planned Giving integration with Annual and Marketing & Communications activities to cultivate planned giving intentions and celebrate Legacy Society members
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies and plans in conjunction with Donor Relations and Stewardship team
• Produce donor-centric communications, including proposals and/or preparing gift agreements
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices and evolving trends in Planned Giving through professional networking and training
• Participate in prospect clearance and review sessions with the Campaign team to ensure relationships are advanced holistically
• Participate actively as a member of an integrated development team.
• Maintain a high degree of motivation, teamwork, and work ethic consistent with the employment philosophy of the Foundation
• Responsible for the management of estate administration: review notices and enter information in the database, review open estate files to determine status, follow up with Estate executors and solicitors
• Work with the Finance department to oversee the timely processing of releases and other estate documentation as needed
• Engage and liaise with professional advisors for counsel to help resolve complicated or contested estate files
• Work in conjunction with the Director, Campaigns and the Finance department to ensure estate files are moving forward appropriately

What must you have?

• Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in a fundraising role with a proven track record of success in one-on-one donor relationship development, particularly with gift planning

What else do you bring?

• Experienced in handling sensitive and confidential situations directly, including the emotional intelligence and maturity to handle end-of-life stage conversations as well as a genuine desire to know the unique story behind each gift
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to inspire a variety of audiences through conversations, presentations, and writing
• Familiarity with deferred giving strategies, planned giving vehicles and uses, and ability to communicate this easily to prospective donors
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, work proactively, problem-solve and make decisions to align donor and organizational goals
• The ability to modify traditional fundraising methods and embrace new ways of working with donor prospects who are ethnically diverse and view philanthropy with a unique lens
• Professional demeanor, capable of exercising independent judgment and initiative
• Sound project management skills and computer skills including word processing, database software and spread sheet program
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast pace, results oriented team environment, while handling multiple competing priorities

Preferably, your profile also includes:

• CAGP Planned Giving Fundamentals preferred
• Experience working with fundraising volunteers and diverse cultures
• Experience working in healthcare philanthropy is an asset

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to Mackenzie Health’s Occupational Health and Safety department.