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Description
Overview
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for a development professional to support the College of Letters & Science. The Director of Development is responsible for directly identifying, qualifying, engaging, and soliciting high-capacity prospects for major gift support in the amount of $25,000 or more, for the College of Letters & Science. This position, will secure leadership level support, including annual and special gifts between $1,000 and $25,000. In pursuit of these objectives, individual will also be asked to interact with and/or manage board and volunteer engagement and build productive relationships with academic partners.
Please note: This position can be filled at the Director of Development or Senior Director of Development level, depending on skills/experience of selected candidate.
Who is the College of Letters & Science?
The College of Letters & Science (L&S), with more than 200,000 living alumni, represents 45% of UW-Madison enrollment, and 65% of the undergraduate credit hours taught at the University. L&S is home to 39 academic departments and professional schools that conduct a broad and diverse range of research in the natural & social sciences, arts & humanities. Ranked 11th nationally, the History department is home to 64 faculty, over 400 undergraduate majors and 130 graduate students in both History and the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology.
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.
Essential Functions
Major Gift Development
*Develop objectives, priorities and strategies focused on major ($25k+) development activity related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising in collaboration with Associate Vice President, dean/faculty/staff, WFAA team and colleagues.
*Implement development strategies with assigned constituencies, managing a portfolio of prospects and donors in varying stages of involvement to advance them strategically through the development process.
*Cultivate lead donors for networked philanthropy opportunities as appropriate.
*Work with prospect management, WFAA research and development colleagues to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.
*Schedule and conduct initial assessment/exploratory meetings in-person and virtually with prospects, following up with correspondence, phone calls, emails, and additional visits as appropriate to qualify prospect.
*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.
*Artfully ask for the right gift, at the right time, in the right way.
*Collaborate with colleagues, discussing donor prospects, sharing advice/information, and coordinating activity on prospects.
*In collaboration with Associate Vice President, coordinate development efforts with the campus unit, working closely with dean, faculty and International Studies advancement team to develop and implement strategies related to gift opportunities and optimizing campus involvement in the development process.
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.
*Coordinate volunteer or other engagement opportunities to more deeply engage donors and prospects.
*Participate in the external relations activities of the campus unit, attend sponsored events, etc., to solicit, encourage, increase the involvement of alumni/donors in campus unit & UW activities.
Special Campaign Management
*Coordinate with campus partners on special project needs or giving campaigns.
*Work with Advancement team and campus partners (students, faculty and staff) to set goals for campaigns and to determine strategies to achieve those goals.
*Direct content for campaign communications (i.e. website, pledge cards, brochures, etc.).
Campus Relations
*Request data/reports from WFAA staff to meet needs of donors and campus staff.
*Serve as a liaison with the campus unit, other UW entities and friends/booster groups.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
*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
*Bachelor’s degree preferred.
*Ability to communicate effectively and meaningfully with groups and individuals in diverse settings using a range of techniques including face to face, telephone, email, written correspondence, public speaking, and meeting facilitation.
*Ability to work effectively with WFAA staff as a collaborative team member, including coordinating activities on prospects/donors, gift administration and planned giving.
*Ability to plan and prioritize work, using time and other resources effectively to maximize desired outcomes.
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 1 year 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.