Application Guide
How to Apply for Associate Director, Planned Giving (Legacy Giving Advisor)
at The Humane League
🏢 About The Humane League
The Humane League is a unique nonprofit focused on reducing farmed animal suffering through targeted programs. What makes them stand out is their evidence-based approach to behavior change and their commitment to measurable impact in animal welfare. Someone might want to work there because they combine mission-driven work with strategic, data-informed methods to create tangible change.
About This Role
As Associate Director, Planned Giving (Legacy Giving Advisor), you'll develop and implement strategies to secure legacy gifts that provide long-term funding for The Humane League's animal welfare programs. This role is impactful because planned giving creates sustainable revenue streams that enable multi-year planning and program expansion, directly supporting the organization's mission to reduce farmed animal suffering.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve virtual meetings with potential legacy donors to discuss estate planning options, analyzing donor data to identify planned giving prospects, collaborating with the development team on integrated fundraising strategies, and preparing materials that educate supporters about how legacy gifts create lasting impact for farmed animals. You'd spend significant time building relationships with supporters interested in making long-term commitments to animal welfare.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The Humane League Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of planned giving experience in nonprofit development, with proven success in securing bequests, charitable gift annuities, and other legacy instruments
- Demonstrates deep understanding of tax implications and legal aspects of planned giving vehicles for both donors and nonprofits
- Possesses strong relationship-building skills with high-net-worth individuals and experience managing donor portfolios of 100+ prospects
- Shows alignment with The Humane League's mission and can articulate how legacy giving advances farmed animal welfare specifically
📝 Tips for Applying to The Humane League
Quantify your planned giving achievements: include specific metrics like 'increased legacy giving revenue by X%' or 'secured X number of bequest commitments valued at $X'
Demonstrate knowledge of The Humane League's specific programs by mentioning how legacy gifts could support their corporate campaigns or grassroots advocacy work
Highlight experience with donor-advised funds and charitable remainder trusts, which are particularly relevant for animal welfare donors
Show understanding of remote relationship management by describing how you've successfully cultivated planned giving prospects virtually
Reference their evidence-based approach by discussing how you've used data to identify and prioritize legacy giving prospects
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with planned giving instruments relevant to animal welfare donors (bequests, charitable gift annuities, donor-advised funds)', "How you've successfully cultivated legacy giving prospects remotely, given the position is fully remote", 'Your understanding of how sustainable funding through planned giving enables long-term animal welfare program planning', "Alignment with The Humane League's evidence-based, strategic approach to creating behavior change"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → The Humane League's specific programs like corporate campaigns and their evidence-based approach to behavior change
- → Their recent financial reports (Form 990) to understand current funding sources and development priorities
- → Their major donors and existing giving circles to understand their donor base
- → Industry trends in planned giving within the animal welfare sector specifically
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic planned giving language without connecting it to animal welfare or The Humane League's specific mission
- Focusing only on immediate fundraising rather than long-term relationship building characteristic of planned giving
- Demonstrating lack of understanding about remote donor cultivation strategies for a fully remote position
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to The Humane League!