Director of Development / Senior Director of Development - School of Nursing

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to lead the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Nursing development program. 

In 2024, the School of Nursing celebrated its centennial and closed its highly successful Badger Nurses Change Lives campaign at $45M, exceeding its goal by $15M. This is an exciting opportunity to elevate the development program as we enter the next era of Badger Nursing.

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 and planned giving prospects who are passionate about advancing nursing education and research to improve human health.  If you are strategic, innovative, and highly collaborative, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful impact on the nursing profession and those it serves.

Please note:  This position can be filled at the Director of Development or Senior Director of Development level, depending on the skills/experience of the selected candidate. 

About the School of Nursing (SoN):

Established in 1924, the University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 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 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.

The School of Nursing is led by Dean Linda Scott  and its development efforts are led by an advancement team that oversees development, alumni relations, and communications efforts for the school. The development professional hired into this position will work closely with the Dean on overall development strategy and best practices, be a member of the School of Nursing advancement team and be instrumental in the school’s fundraising efforts. 

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

• Work with the Dean and the advancement team to advance the key philanthropic priorities of the school, such as student support, educational innovation, faculty support, and research.
• Lead the development of objectives, priorities and strategies for major gift philanthropy related to comprehensive campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fundraising in collaboration with SoN dean/faculty/staff, WFAA leadership and other colleagues.
• Engage the school’s board of visitors to increase support of the school’s mission through gifts of time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony.

• Work with WFAA research and development colleagues to identify a portfolio of major gift prospects from existing and potential donors.

• 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.
• Qualify prospective major gift donors on behalf of the entire University, including those with a specific interest in the SoN.
• 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 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 advancement team

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 prosect qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Collaborate with WFAA and SoN staff to ensure accurate and proper administration and usage of donor funds.

 Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience.
• 3 + years experience in fundraising/development or related experience.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills required.
• Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%).

Other Qualifications:

• Appreciation of the vital role played by the School of Nursing and an interest in promoting its programs as well as an ability to work effectively with university officials and prominent alumni and donors.
• Ability to articulate the case for private support with sufficient effectiveness so that individuals understand the vision and strategy of the school and choose to invest in the vision.
• Self-directed, entrepreneurial, ability to work independently, and as a member of an effective development team.

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.