Associate Director of Development, UW - School of Nursing (SoN), School of Pharmacy (SoP), and School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM)

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is seeking a dynamic and motivated development professional to support the development programs of three schools at UW - School of Nursing (SoN), School of Pharmacy (SoP), and School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM).  Employed by WFAA and reporting to a WFAA Managing Senior Director of Development, this individual will be expected to build, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects.  If you are strategic, proactive, highly collaborative, and have a passion for improving the health of animals and people, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful impact on these medical and health science professions and those they serve.

Whether it is through facility campaigns or strategic fundraising initiatives that support people and programs to enhance the impact of philanthropy through estate gifts, the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine development programs have delivered strong fundraising success to date.  The individual selected for this role will be a critical partner with the Deans and advancement team members from the three respective schools and will work closely with these campus partners and WFAA unit lead colleagues to implement innovative new fundraising and engagement strategies that build upon the successes of each program.   

About UW School of Nursing

Established in 1924, the UW School of Nursing has a long and distinguished history as a national leader in nursing education and research and innovative practice models leveraging technology to support and improve human health. As a “top 20” school in the nation and the leading nursing research institution in Wisconsin, the School of Nursing plays a crucial role in the state’s health care system.  The school has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students and offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) degrees, as well as continuing education and four certificate programs. Translational in nature and grounded in practical application, research at the School of Nursing has an immediate impact on Wisconsin’s communities, hospitals, clinics, schools, and homes.

About UW School of Pharmacy:  

The UW School of Pharmacy has a long and distinguished 142-year-old history and is ranked #9 top Pharmacy School in the country.  The school’s evolving curriculum, award-winning educational innovation, and commitment to hands-on learning develop their students into future healthcare leaders. Inspired by the Wisconsin Idea, the renowned faculty and groundbreaking research labs and centers of the School of Pharmacy are united by a single mission: to enhance the health and quality of life of people in Wisconsin and around the world.

About UW School of Veterinary Medicine:

The UW School of Veterinary Medicine provides outstanding programs in veterinary medical education, research, clinical practice, and service that enhance the health and welfare of both animals and people and contribute to the economic well-being of the state of Wisconsin. Opened in 1983, the school quickly earned a reputation as one of the leading schools of veterinary medicine in America and is currently ranked 5^th in the country by US News and World Report. The school houses a veterinary medical teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Care; cutting-edge technology; and high-quality lab and classroom spaces for teaching and research. Faculty and staff in the school’s four academic departments train students in a four-year program leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The school also provides graduate research training in core areas of animal and human health through its Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.

Who is WFAA?

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) 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.  

Major Gift Development

• In collaboration with WFAA’s development program unit leads for the SoN, SoP, and SVM, develop objectives, priorities, and strategies for major gift development related to comprehensive campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising in collaboration with dean/faculty/staff, WFAA leadership, and other 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 continuum.
• Work with prospect management, WFAA research, and development colleagues to identify a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.
• Qualify prospective major gift donors on behalf of the entire University, including those with a specific interest in the SON, SoP, SVM, and beyond.
• Schedule and conduct initial assessment/exploratory meetings with prospects, following up with correspondence, phone call,s and additional visits as appropriate to qualify prospects.
• Plan and conduct meetings and other ongoing contacts 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.
• Serve as a member of the SoN, SoP, and SVM advancement teams

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.
• Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate the needs of faculty and 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 the needs of donors and school faculty, and staff.

 Administration

• Plan and execute travel arrangements with responsibility for tracking and submitting related expense reports. 
• Utilize WFAA’s customer relationship management (CRM) tool to plan, implement, and record all development-related activity in a timely manner.  This includes regular progress reports on prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with WFAA and SoN, SoP, and SVM staff to ensure accurate and proper administration and usage of donor funds.

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%).
• The position will require a combination of in-office, on-campus work environments, and remote work.

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 schools and choose to invest in the vision.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of an effective development team.
• Appreciation of the role played by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an interest in promoting its programs.

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits! 

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