Job Description

Are you ready to make a significant impact at one of the nation's top law schools? The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), )*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is recruiting for a passionate and driven development professional to support the prestigious University of Wisconsin Law School. The Associate Director of Development is primarily responsible for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects for the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Opened in 1868, the is located on historic Bascom Hill in the heart of the beautiful UW–Madison campus. As a top tier law school, it boasts a renowned faculty, an extensive curriculum and a dynamic student body. As part of a world-class university located in the state’s capital, the Law School also offers an unparalleled wealth of experiences beyond its walls. This position presents an opportunity to work with graduates and friends of UW Law from across the country, while affecting the very future of UW-Madison and its law school.

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.

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

• Pursue objectives, priorities and strategies for major gift development related to capital campaigns, special programs, and ongoing fund raising in collaboration with
• WFAA Vice President, Managing Senior Director, 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 process.
• Work with prospect management, WFAA research and development colleagues to identify and qualify a dynamic 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.
• Coordinate development efforts with the UW Law School, working closely with the Dean to develop and implement strategies related to gift opportunities and optimizing campus involvement in the development process.
• Build pipeline programs to grow the major gift program at the Law School. Prospective programs include Law Firm and Corporate Giving, Rising Star initiative, and/or Reunion Giving program.

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.
• Participate in the external relations activities of the UW Law School, attend sponsored events, etc., to solicit, encourage, increase the involvement of alumni/donors in UW activities.

Campus Relations

• Work with dean/faculty/staff to develop plans for a comprehensive advancement structure and operations.
• Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of campus 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 needs of donors and campus staff.
• Serve as a WFAA liaison with the UW Law School and other UW entities and groups.

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:

• Master’s degree in marketing, communication, non-profit management or higher education preferred. Special consideration will be given to candidates with JD degrees.
• Appreciation of the role played by the University of Wisconsin and the UW Law School, or like organizations, and an interest in promoting its programs.
• 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.

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 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.

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