Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Gift Planning Assistant for the Office of Gift Acceptance. This role involves providing comprehensive administrative and operational support for gift acceptance and planned giving activities, including estate and trust administration, record management, gift documentation processing, and communication across the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. The assistant coordinates donor agreements, prepares reports, supports audits, and helps improve workflows to ensure compliance and data accuracy.

Highlights

Provide administrative and operational support for gift acceptance, planned giving, estate and trust administration, and record management.
Coordinate and process guideline agreements, donor intent statements, and acknowledgement materials.
Prepare and review bequest expectancy reports and maintain donor recognition and membership tracking.
Support specialized gift types such as life insurance and gifts-in-kind.
Assist with audits, data reconciliation, database enhancements, and compliance with institutional policies.
Serve as liaison among internal departments to resolve issues and streamline gift acceptance processes.
Deliver general office support including managing communications, processing mail and financial documents, and responding to inquiries.
Required qualifications include paralegal or legal assistant experience, knowledge of estate and trust administration, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Minimum education requirement is an Associate Degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Compensation ranges from $51,000 to $74,000 with a competitive benefits package including health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount.

Gift Planning Assistant, Office of Gift Acceptance Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State is currently seeking a Gift Planning Assistant in supporting the Office of Gift Acceptance. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, you can play an integral role in Penn State's future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country.

For full consideration, applicants must submit a Cover Letter and Resume/CV with completed application.

Reporting to the Director of Gift Acceptance and working closely with the members of Gift Acceptance team and other partners across the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, this Gift Planning Assistant will:

Provide comprehensive administrative and operational support for gift acceptance and planned giving activities, including estate and trust administration, record management, and processing of gift documentation and recording, while ensuring accurate and effective communication across the Division of Development and Alumni Relations;
Articulate Penn State's needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;
Support estate and trust administration, including tracking payments, preparing documentation, maintaining records, and assisting with correspondence and reporting;
Coordinate and process guideline agreements and donor intent statements, including routing for signatures, preparing acknowledgment materials, and maintaining tracking systems and archives;
Prepare and review bequest expectancy reports, ensuring accurate donor records, calculations, and internal coordination for proper recording;
Provide backup support for specialized gift types, including life insurance and gifts-in-kind, assisting with documentation, donor communication, and recordkeeping;
Maintain planned giving donor recognition and membership tracking, ensuring accurate qualification and follow-up;
Collaborate in identifying opportunities to improve workflows, tracking systems, and documentation processes to enhance efficiency and compliance;
Maintain and update internal procedures, guides, and materials related to gift acceptance and planned giving operations;
Ensure accuracy and consistency of donor and gift data across systems; assist with audits, reconciliations, and data clean-up projects;
Support implementation or enhancement of databases and reporting tools;
Assist in ensuring adherence to institutional policies, legal requirements, and donor intent in all gift processing activities;
Support preparation for internal and external audits by organizing documentation and responding to requests;
Serve as a liaison for internal departments to resolve issues and streamline processes;
Contribute to periodic reporting on planned giving activity, trends, and performance metrics; and
Deliver general office support, including managing communications, processing mail and financial documents, preparing reports, and responding to inquiries related to gift acceptance procedures.

The successful candidate will have:

Paralegal, Legal Assistant or similar experience;
Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;
The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
Knowledge of estate and trust administration;
Understanding of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations;
A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;
A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored.

DDAR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Associate Degree4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

acceptedRequired Certifications:None

Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations

If you believe in the power of higher education—and philanthropy—to shape the public good, you'll excel right here in Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR). Our organization includes more than 500 professionals engaging a community of more than 800,000 alumni who believe in the power of giving back. Across our interdisciplinary teams of fundraisers, alumni relations professionals, communicators, event planners, financial experts, and more, there is a place for you to make a difference in the lives of students and faculty while taking your own career to new heights. Learn more about us at raise.psu.edu and explore the success of our most recent campaign at greaterpennstate.psu.edu.

Building a Career and a Life at Penn State

Across all campuses and an online World Campus, our 100,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it's the positive impact made on communities across the globe. Penn State consistently ranks among the top academic and research universities in the world: psu.edu/this-is-penn-state/facts-and-rankings

This position is based at the University Park campus, located in State College, Pennsylvania. State College is ranked among the lowest-stress and safest small cities in the country, with excellent public schools, beautiful parks and other natural assets, and a broad range of cultural and athletic events and venues: statecollegepa.us and statecollege.com

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $51,000.00 - $74,000.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Hotlines

Original Job Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

For full consideration, applicants must submit a Cover Letter and Resume/CV with completed application.

Provide comprehensive administrative and operational support for gift acceptance and planned giving activities, including estate and trust administration, record management, and processing of gift documentation and recording, while ensuring accurate and effective communication across the Division of Development and Alumni Relations;
Articulate Penn State's needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;
Support estate and trust administration, including tracking payments, preparing documentation, maintaining records, and assisting with correspondence and reporting;
Coordinate and process guideline agreements and donor intent statements, including routing for signatures, preparing acknowledgment materials, and maintaining tracking systems and archives;
Prepare and review bequest expectancy reports, ensuring accurate donor records, calculations, and internal coordination for proper recording;
Provide backup support for specialized gift types, including life insurance and gifts-in-kind, assisting with documentation, donor communication, and recordkeeping;
Maintain planned giving donor recognition and membership tracking, ensuring accurate qualification and follow-up;
Collaborate in identifying opportunities to improve workflows, tracking systems, and documentation processes to enhance efficiency and compliance;
Maintain and update internal procedures, guides, and materials related to gift acceptance and planned giving operations;
Ensure accuracy and consistency of donor and gift data across systems; assist with audits, reconciliations, and data clean-up projects;
Support implementation or enhancement of databases and reporting tools;
Assist in ensuring adherence to institutional policies, legal requirements, and donor intent in all gift processing activities;
Support preparation for internal and external audits by organizing documentation and responding to requests;
Serve as a liaison for internal departments to resolve issues and streamline processes;
Contribute to periodic reporting on planned giving activity, trends, and performance metrics; and
Deliver general office support, including managing communications, processing mail and financial documents, preparing reports, and responding to inquiries related to gift acceptance procedures.

The successful candidate will have:

Paralegal, Legal Assistant or similar experience;
Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;
The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
Knowledge of estate and trust administration;
Understanding of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations;
A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;
A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Associate Degree4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

acceptedRequired Certifications:None

Penn State's Division of Development and Alumni Relations

Building a Career and a Life at Penn State

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $51,000.00 - $74,000.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

EEO IS THE LAW

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Hotlines

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Gift Planning Assistant, Office of Gift Acceptance

Edtech.com's Summary

Gift Planning Assistant, Office of Gift Acceptance Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Senior Philanthropic Research Analyst

Associate/Director of Major Gifts, Penn State Health and the College of Medicine

Assistant Dean of Development, School of Professional Studies

Director of Foundation Relations, MI/MW / Development Officer II

Philanthropic Research Analyst