Overview

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is seeking an experienced Director/Senior Director of Development to help develop and implement a major gifts program supporting UW Health and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. While employed by WFAA and reporting to the Managing Associate Vice President of Wisconsin Medicine at WFAA, the Director/Senior Director of Development will work in a generalist role by collaboratively working across various units and programs within Wisconsin Medicine with the ability to shift to meet emerging priorities and opportunities as identified by the WI Medicine leadership team. This is a hybrid role that will require you to work in Madison, WI office at least two days weekly.

About Wisconsin Medicine:

Wisconsin Medicine is a collaboration between two of the world’s leading medical institutions, UW Health and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, who have worked together for more than a century on innovative treatments, trailblazing research, renowned education, and compassionate patient care.

This powerful combination is in a unique position to usher in a new era of medicine, one that builds on the cutting-edge breakthroughs and discoveries already achieved. There’s more work to be done — and more lives to be saved.

Wisconsin Medicine, the philanthropic brand for SMPH and UW Health, is an effort to fight debilitating diseases and solve some of the world’s most pressing health challenges through philanthropy. UW Health (the state’s number one hospital) and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (a world-recognized research and education system) have always achieved excellence. Now, Wisconsin Medicine is preparing for the extraordinary. It’s the Wisconsin Idea in action — making a difference in our state, throughout the nation, and around the world. Learn more about Wisconsin Medicine at https://www.wiscmedicine.org/.

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. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. 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 UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, 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

• Develop objectives, priorities and strategies for major gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising.
• 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.
• Work with prospect management, WFAA research and development colleagues 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 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.
• Develop and write major gift proposals, utilizing both current and planned gift opportunities to best meet donors’ needs, interests, and financial capabilities, including structuring complex or special gifts as appropriate.
• Artfully ask for the right gift, at the right time, in the right way.
• Collaborate with colleagues, discussing major donor prospects, sharing advice/information, and coordinating activity on shared prospects.
• 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.
• Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of campus partner programs regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA and campus staff.
• Understand and access resources within WFAA to support the fund development process, e.g., research, planned giving, real estate, accounting, investments.
• Work effectively with WFAA staff as a collaborative team member, including coordinating activities on prospects/donors, gift administration and planned giving.
• Plan and prioritize work, using time and other resources effectively to maximize desired outcomes.

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:

• Post high school training, college degree, or equivalent preferred.
• 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 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.