Director of Planned Giving

Job Description

The Catholic Foundation for Greater Pittsburgh seeks a mission-driven and relationship-focused Director of Planned Giving to lead and grow the Foundation's planned giving and major gift efforts. The Planned Giving Officer will cultivate and manage a portfolio of donors, invite legacy and estate gifts, steward long-term relationships, and serve as a key philanthropic partner to parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries.
A component of the role is leading the stewardship, recognition, and engagement strategy for the Foundation's Legacy Society, ensuring that all individuals who have made planned or estate commitments feel valued, informed, and connected to the mission they support.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or fundraising certification (CFRE, CAP, CSPG, etc.) preferred.

EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of 5+ years of experience in fundraising, planned giving, major gifts, development, or related nonprofit/philanthropic work.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
Commitment to the mission, teachings, and values of the Catholic Church.
Experience working within Catholic institutions or the nonprofit sector preferred but not required.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area.

ROUTINE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Portfolio Management & Donor Engagement

Manage a portfolio of planned giving and major gift prospects for the Foundation through the BRIDGE Program and identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Focus on supporting the education focused fundraising initiative, the BRIDGE Program.
Conduct regular donor visits, establishing and nurturing meaningful relationships aligned with donor interests and Catholic mission impact.
Lead stewardship for all planned giving donors, ensuring timely gratitude, ongoing engagement, and personalized follow-up.
Proactively identify planned giving prospects through mailings, education, and parish focused engagements.
Serve as the primary manager of the Legacy Society, including:
Coordinating all stewardship communications
Planning and executing Legacy Society events and recognition opportunities
Maintaining accurate records of members and their commitments
Ensuring consistent year-round engagement and visibility

Planned Giving Program Leadership

Lead the growth, strategy, and implementation of the Foundation's planned giving program.
Develop proposals, gift illustrations, and educational materials to support donor decision-making.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and the Bishop when appropriate to request major or planned gifts.
Create and implement an annual plan to increase Legacy Society membership and deepen donor connection.
Set annual fundraising goals in consultation with the Chief Development Officer/Executive Director.

Parish & Ministry Support

Partner with pastors, administrators, school leaders, and diocesan offices to strengthen local planned giving and endowment development.
Develop and deliver workshops, parish presentations, and educational resources that promote Catholic legacy giving.
Support parishes and schools in cultivating their own legacy donors and establishing sustainable giving cultures.
Integrate Legacy Society promotion into parish-based and ministry-based engagements.

Professional and Community Partner Engagement

Build strong relationships with estate attorneys, financial advisors, trust officers, and wealth managers.
Serve as a knowledgeable resource on charitable gift planning strategies, tax implications, and philanthropic trends.

Maintain a high standard of ethics and professionalism in all donor and partner interactions.

Research, Reporting & Data Management

Conduct donor research to identify and qualify new planned giving prospects.
Maintain detailed contact reports, donor plans, and stewardship activity in the Foundation's CRM.
Track and report on planned giving metrics and Legacy Society engagement.

Other Responsibilities
Stay current on changes in tax law, estate planning trends, and best practices in philanthropy.
Represent the Foundation at public events, parish gatherings, diocesan functions, and donor activities.
Provide support for broader development and communications initiatives as needed.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to further the mission of the Foundation.

Performance Competencies:
Strong working knowledge of fundraising principles with an emphasis on planned giving and major gift development.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
Commitment to confidentiality, ethics, and donor-centered relationship management.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, mission-centered team.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor databases such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or comparable CRM platforms.
Creative, proactive, strategic, and detail-oriented work style.
Professional presence, hospitality, and alignment with Catholic values.

OTHER DUTIES:
As requested.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Employees are regularly required to talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and lift and move items weighing 25 pounds or less.
• Ability to travel within the six counties of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

A competitive salary will be offered to the successful candidate as well as a full-benefit package.

Qualified applicants should submit a resume and a letter of interest to:
Deacon Jeff Hirst at jhirst@diopitt.org.

Application materials must be received by March 27, 2026.

About the Employer

Building A Bridge To The Future.