Director of Development / Senior Director of Development, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

WFAA requires all individuals working out of WFAA offices or conducting in-person business to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. WFAA will consider requests for reasonable accommodation as required under applicable law.

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is seeking a development professional to support Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences within the Wisconsin Medicine Advancement Group.  The development professional will build the major gifts program for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences through the department’s grateful patient philanthropy program and by qualifying existing donors within the department.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is a pioneer in ophthalmology and vision science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison for over 50 years, the Department has built a strong, world-class reputation for leading research, quality patient care in an academic setting and unique training programs for the doctors of tomorrow.  Additional information is available at https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/

Who is WFAA?

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link those interested in supporting the UW to areas about which they are passionate, building a strong community of Badgers.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.

Major Gift Development

• Develop objectives, priorities and strategies for major gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising in collaboration with campus staff, WFAA vice president, and colleagues.
• Implement development strategies with assigned constituencies, building and managing a portfolio of prospects and donors in varying stages of involvement to advance them strategically through the development process.
• Work closely with division heads, faculty, and care team members to strengthen and expand the existing grateful patient program.
• Partner with prospect management, WFAA research and development colleagues, and campus partners to identify and qualify a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.
• Schedule and conduct initial assessment/exploratory meetings with prospects, following up with correspondence, phone calls and additional visits as appropriate to qualify prospects.
• Plan and conduct visits/trips, events and other ongoing contact to build relationships with donors, effectively presenting the case for philanthropic support and explaining gift opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with donors and prospects and solicit donors and prospects for gifts at the appropriate time with the appropriate gift ask.

Donor Relations/Stewardship/ Recognition

• Plan and implement recognition for donors, including writing thank you letters, making personal calls, arranging meetings, hosting events, etc.
• Plan and implement ongoing communication and stewardship with donors.

 Campus Relations

• Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of campus staff regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA accounting department and campus staff.
• Request data/reports from WFAA staff to meet needs of donors and campus staff.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience;
• Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising or related activities;
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills required;
• Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%).

Other Qualifications:

• Ability to articulate the case for private support with sufficient effectiveness so that individuals understand the vision and strategy of the College and choose to invest in the vision;
• Ability to work independently, in addition to as a member of an effective development team.

WFAA is committed to provide our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative and respectful. We offer competitive pay and an excellent benefits program, which includes a 10% 401k contribution after 1000 hours of service!

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (advanceuw.org) is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.