Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Planned Giving Advisor

at Ocean Conservancy

🏢 About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy stands out as a science-driven ocean protection organization that combines research, advocacy, and community engagement to tackle climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. Working here means contributing to evidence-based solutions for ocean health while collaborating with experts across disciplines—ideal for someone passionate about marine conservation and systemic environmental change.

About This Role

As Senior Planned Giving Advisor, you'll lead planned giving strategy for Ocean Conservancy, advising gift officers on complex donor conversations and managing a high-value portfolio of prospects. This role is impactful because it directly fuels long-term funding for ocean conservation through sophisticated philanthropic structures, blending estate planning expertise with mission-driven fundraising.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with gift officers to strategize on donor conversations, reviewing estate planning documents for high-value prospects, and developing training materials on blended giving. You could also be preparing for national travel to meet with donors interested in legacy gifts for ocean conservation, while staying updated on tax law changes affecting charitable contributions.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Ocean Conservancy Is Looking For

  • Has 10+ years in planned giving with hands-on experience structuring charitable trusts, gift annuities, and blended gifts for environmental or nonprofit sectors
  • Demonstrates deep, current knowledge of U.S. tax law and estate planning regulations, specifically as they relate to charitable giving vehicles
  • Proven ability to train and collaborate with frontline fundraisers in donor-facing settings, with strong presentation and advisory skills
  • Willing to travel nationally for donor meetings and align planned giving strategies with Ocean Conservancy's science-based mission

📝 Tips for Applying to Ocean Conservancy

1

Highlight specific experience with charitable gift annuities and blended gifts in your resume, quantifying portfolio size or gift outcomes if possible

2

Tailor your application to show how your planned giving expertise can support ocean conservation—mention any prior work with environmental nonprofits

3

Include examples of tools or resources you've developed to train fundraisers in planned giving discussions

4

Emphasize your ability to translate complex tax and estate planning concepts for donors and colleagues in accessible ways

5

Note your readiness for national travel and experience building relationships with high-net-worth individuals in a remote work context

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your track record structuring complex planned gifts, specifically citing experience with charitable trusts or annuities relevant to Ocean Conservancy's donor base", "How you've successfully advised and trained frontline fundraisers to advance planned giving conversations in past roles", "Your alignment with Ocean Conservancy's mission—mention specific initiatives like plastic pollution reduction or climate resilience that resonate with you", 'Examples of maintaining up-to-date expertise in tax law and estate planning, and how you apply it to philanthropic strategy']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Ocean Conservancy's key initiatives, such as their Trash Free Seas® program or climate policy work, to understand funding priorities
  • → The organization's recent annual reports or donor impact stories to grasp their philanthropic landscape and major gift successes
  • → Their leadership team and board members, noting any planned giving or estate planning backgrounds
  • → Industry trends in environmental philanthropy and how planned giving supports long-term conservation goals
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would structure a blended gift for a donor interested in supporting ocean biodiversity and climate initiatives
2 Describe a time you trained or advised a gift officer on a complex planned giving conversation—what was the outcome?
3 How do you stay current with changes in tax law and charitable giving regulations, and how would you apply that knowledge here?
4 What strategies would you use to engage high-net-worth prospects in planned giving for a remote-first organization like Ocean Conservancy?
5 How would you develop tools or resources to help our fundraisers discuss planned giving with donors passionate about plastic pollution reduction?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning Ocean Conservancy's mission or ocean-specific conservation challenges
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of structured planned gifts or experience with charitable gift annuities
  • Overlooking the travel requirement or lacking examples of collaborating remotely with fundraising teams

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Ocean Conservancy!

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