General Counsel and Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Company: Greater Washington Community Foundation
Location: Washington
Posted on: June 26, 2022

Job Description:

Description:
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWThe Greater Washington Community Foundation ignites the power of philanthropy, leads for community impact, and responds to critical community needs. Since 1973, The Community Foundation has been a trusted philanthropic partner to our generous donors and nonprofits working to create lasting change in DC, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and Prince George's County. As the region's largest local funder, we have invested more than $1.4 billion to build racially equitable, just, and thriving communities where everyone prospers. Today, our strategic focus is to close our region's racial wealth gap so that people of all races, places, and identities reach their full potential. POSITION SUMMARY:The General Counsel & Senior Philanthropic Advisor (Advisor) is responsible for the successful management of the foundation's charitable giving program, including attracting, retaining, and obtaining new gifts from donors and fundholders through understanding, serving, advising, and engaging them to achieve their philanthropic goals. Additionally, the role is the internal legal counsel for the Foundation and serves as primary liaison with outside counsel. Finally, this role directly manages the foundation's outreach to and engagement with the professional advisor community for the purposes of current and future charitable funds.In addition to the duties described in this position description, every role at The Community Foundation is expected to contribute to the overall success of the organization and its goals. This may mean that team members will be asked to take on other tasks that may not be listed here. Examples may include working on a project or specific task outside of your standard area of responsibility, participation on an organization-wide task force or special initiative or being asked to support a colleague when needed. Any additional tasks will be determined by the manager of this role in coordination with the leadership team.

Requirements:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIESBelow are the core areas of responsibility. The principal responsibilities include the following:CHARITABLE GIFT PROSPECT IDENTIFICATION, ENGAGEMENT, SOLICITATION AND STEWARDSHIPManage a personal portfolio of new charitable fund and legacy prospects, cultivate relationships, obtain referrals, and discuss donor interests with attorneys, trust officers, accountants, financial planners, and other estate planning professionals regarding gift opportunities for clients.Strategize and partner with development and donor services team members on best charitable gift options for their donors, as well as collaborate with team members in conversations/cultivations/solicitations with those donors.Develop a pipeline of prospects together with related reporting infrastructure and processes.Develop new and maintain current planned gift policies and procedures.Educate and train staff on charitable gift planning best practices. In collaboration with marketing and communications, design and conduct direct mail marketing campaigns to target charitable gift prospects and current donors.Work with development and donor services to properly steward planned gift donors and fundholders, to strengthen recognition and giving society, and to plan and execute regular donor, fundholder, and professional advisor engagement events.Monitor charitable gift prospect pipeline, ensuring timely and consistent follow up.DOCUMENTATION & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENTNegotiate terms of planned gift agreements with donors and their advisors, subject to organization protocol and policies.Conduct ongoing review of new and completed documents to ensure that they comply with organizational policy and IRS guidelines.Work closely with Development and Finance teams on estate administration, and internal record keeping, and accounting.Maintain awareness of all federal and state changes in charitable and planned giving laws and regulations.LEGALCounsel the Executive Team on legal and tax issues and provide support on utilizing outside legal counsel when necessary and appropriate. Review and draft contracts, agreements, applications, and other related legal documents for the Foundation. Facilitate the acceptance of complex gifts, advise on appropriate charitable vehicle structures, oversee drafting of complex gift agreements, and supervise the administration of complex charitable gift fund/trust arrangements.Manage adverse actions and other related legal matters. Serve as resource for on-going technical assistance and provide education for donors, professional advisors, and internal staff regarding current donor, legislative and regulatory trends. PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR OUTREACHBuild relationships with professional advisors (estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, accountants, trust officers and insurance professionals) to increase the overall new and future charitable funds pipeline for the organization.Develop and implement an engagement and stewardship strategy specifically focused on the professional advisor community.In partnership with the finance team, manage the relationships for the foundation's separately managed investment accounts and the accounts' advisors.DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCEA minimum of seven years of experience in cultivation and fund development or comparable client-focused practices where responsibilities included building and developing new and existing relationships, effectively communicating complex information, and closing gifts and/or new business.A law degree, and seven to ten years' experience practicing law and in servicing clients while adhering to very high standards of service excellence, responsiveness, and integrity.Ability to exercise sound judgment in managing highly sensitive and confidential information. Proven ability to interact effectively with existing and prospective donors, community leaders, professional advisors and representatives from non-profit organizations. Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a complex environment as part of a multidisciplinary team.Demonstrated understanding of issues related to racial equity and inclusion.Proven understanding of implications and benefits of variety of charitable gift instruments. Knowledge of deferred giving vehicles and the tax laws related to charitable giving, and the ability to effectively communicate this information to audiences of various levels of financial and legal acumen. A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy-- or comparable charitable gift planning designation and/or membership in a professional association such as an estate planning council highly desired but not required.Proficiency in utilizing technology to conduct research, provide information and/or services. Excellent writing and presentation skills. SALARY AND BENEFITS:Salary starts at $165,000.00 and is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package, including company-paid health, vision, dental, and life insurance for employees; Flexible spending accounts; Identity Theft, Critical Illness coverage, Universal life and long-term care insurance and retirement plan with employer match; Twelve paid holidays; Flexible work schedule.The Greater Washington Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.PM22PI183213906

Keywords: Greater Washington Community Foundation, Washington DC , General Counsel and Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Accounting, Auditing , Washington, DC