Associate Director of Development/Director of Development/Senior Director of Development, Wisconsin Athletics

Overview

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 fundraise on behalf of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison dedicates itself to the mission of providing athletic opportunities to a wide range of student-athletes in an environment in which all they can achieve their academic and competitive goals. The Division strives to provide equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and fosters the principles of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play in all facets of competition. The Division sponsors 23 varsity sports programs competing under the regulatory guidelines established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Big Ten Conference and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).  This position is located in Madison, WI.

 

The Director of Development will play a key role in developing the intermediate and long-term development efforts of the Division. This position will primarily focus on major gift identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for facility projects, endowed scholarships, and planned gifts. This position will personally manage a major gift portfolio of prospects and donors along with allocating significant time to qualifying new prospects. The incumbent will also arrange for the solicitation and stewardship of gifts by the Athletic Director, Deputy Athletic Director, Assistant Athletic Director for Development, coaches and other staff, as needed. The incumbent will provide donor service in all aspects of the development program including annual fund, premium seating, facility campaigns, endowed scholarships and planned gifts. In addition, the incumbent will develop major gift marketing materials and proposals. This position requires evening and weekend work during UW athletic and other special events as well as some regional travel.  This position is a 100% in-person role that will require relocation to the greater Dane County area.

 

Please note: This position can be hired as an Associate Director of Development, Director of Development, or Senior Director of Development, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate.

 

 

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

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 Athletic Department external relations staff, Athletic Development Office staff, WFAA colleagues, and campus partners.
• 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 fo