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Development Assistant Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Oversee technician efficiency, training, and development * Assist with hiring and performance management of service team members * Manage repair authorizations and monitor workflow * Track and ...

Support children's development in social, emotional, language, and early academic skills . * Help ... Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development . * Assist with classroom ...

Manage turnover and solidify current and future staffing through development of recruiting sources, and through appropriate selection, orientation, training, staff education and development. * Assist ...

Manage turnover and solidify current and future staffing through development of recruiting sources, and through appropriate selection, orientation, training, staff education and development. * Assist ...

Manage turnover and solidify current and future staffing through development of recruiting sources, and through appropriate selection, orientation, training, staff education and development * Assist ...

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Development Assistant information

See Madison, WI salary details

$9

$22

$32

How much do development assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for development assistant in Madison, WI is $22.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.69 and $24.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Development Assistant?

A development assistant handles the administrative and public relations aspects of fundraising for an organization. As a development assistant, your duties include working on donor relations, managing a database of fundraising efforts, and creating reports on individual and institutional donors. In this career, you may also direct public relations strategies to attract support for your organization. Qualifications for a development assistant job include a bachelor’s degree in communications or public relations and experience with fundraising efforts. You usually apply your skills for educational organizations, nonprofit groups, or other institutions that rely on donors for funding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Assistant, you need strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and a background in fundraising or nonprofit administration, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with donor management databases like Raiser's Edge, Microsoft Office Suite, and online fundraising platforms is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and interpersonal skills help you build relationships and manage multiple priorities effectively. These skills ensure efficient support of development operations, successful donor engagement, and contribute to the overall fundraising goals of the organization.

How does a Development Assistant typically support fundraising campaigns and donor relations within a nonprofit organization?

Development Assistants play a crucial role in fundraising campaigns by managing donor databases, preparing materials for outreach, and coordinating logistics for fundraising events. They often draft acknowledgment letters, track donations, and ensure donors receive timely communications. By working closely with development officers and other team members, Development Assistants help maintain strong donor relationships and contribute to the overall success of fundraising efforts. This collaborative environment provides valuable exposure to fundraising strategies and offers opportunities for skill development and career growth in nonprofit development.

What does a Development Assistant do?

A Development Assistant typically supports the fundraising and donor relations efforts of a nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similar entity. Their responsibilities often include managing donor databases, assisting with event planning, preparing fundraising materials, and providing administrative support to development staff. They play a key role in ensuring that fundraising campaigns and events run smoothly and that donors receive timely communication and acknowledgments. Strong organizational and communication skills are important for success in this role. Development Assistants often have opportunities to learn more about nonprofit management and fundraising as they gain experience.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A development assistant typically does not earn $10,000 a month without a degree; such high salaries are more common in roles like sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship, which often rely on experience, skills, and networks rather than formal education. High-paying freelance or consulting work in tech, marketing, or finance can also reach this level, especially with specialized skills and a strong client base. However, most jobs with this income level generally require significant experience or entrepreneurial effort rather than a standard role like development assistant.

What is the difference between Development Assistant vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectDevelopment AssistantFundraising Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer associate's degreeBachelor's degree often preferred; experience in fundraising helpful
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, supporting development teamsOffice and event environments, actively engaging in fundraising activities
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, charities, educational institutionsNonprofits, charities, arts organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles supporting development effortsLearning about active fundraising roles

The Development Assistant typically provides administrative support within development teams, focusing on data entry, donor records, and general office tasks. The Fundraising Coordinator, on the other hand, actively manages fundraising campaigns, organizes events, and engages with donors. While both roles support nonprofit growth, the Development Assistant is more administrative, whereas the Fundraising Coordinator has a more active, campaign-focused role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Development jobs in Madison, WI? The most popular types of Development jobs in Madison, WI are:
What are popular job titles related to Development Assistant jobs in Madison, WI? For Development Assistant jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Assistant jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Development Assistant jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Development Assistant jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Development Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Development Assistant job openings in Madison, WI as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,762 per year, or $22 per hour.
Development Program Specialist, Central Development

Development Program Specialist, Central Development

Highlight Technologies

Madison, WI • Hybrid

$114.90K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted yesterday


Job description

Overview

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)*, the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is recruiting for a Development Program Specialist  to support central development initiatives and office administration activities that advance the Development Division goals and objectives.  This position is a hybrid role and will require you to work in the office at least two days weekly. 

Please note: We have the flexibility to hire this position as a Development Program Specialist or Senior Development Program Specialist, depending on 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. 


Responsibilities

Central Development Initiatives 

  • In collaboration with the Development Program Director and Senior Vice Presidents for Development, assist with all aspects of central development initiatives, including division-wide meetings and events, VIP stewardship, and special projects.
  • Organize and participate actively in meetings and other activities that support development efforts.
  • Serve as point of contact for comprehensive campaign, staying up to date with campaign priorities and functions.
  • Coordinate gift fund administration process, including all activities related to the creation, documentation, tracking, notification, review, and stewardship of unit funds.
  • Collaborate with events team to plan, implement, and manage all aspects of events designed to identify and cultivate new prospects and build relationships with existing donors.
  • Assist Senior VPs with donor visits, including preparing materials in advance and helping with follow-up, handling on-site logistics, greeting and hosting guests, and responding to miscellaneous needs as they arise.
  • Serve as a point of contact for donors, helping to make gifts and addressing questions.

Development Division Administration 

  • Serve as point of contact for internal inquiries about Development Division policies and procedures at WFAA.
  • Maintain current information on Division resources and best practices. Suggest areas for process improvement and assist in improvement implementation.
  • Identify and escalate potential issues that require action, collaborating as needed with development leadership, legal, finance, and gift services.
  • Coordinate the direct mailing of stewardship projects, solicitations, announcements, and event invitations.
  • Provide development support for advanced administrative needs.


CRM and Reporting 

  • Utilize and generate financial reports related to gift information.
  • Work with the business intelligence team as needed to refine and customize lists for special mailings, invitations, donor recognition, etc.
  • Maintain contact updates, donor biographic information, and other constituent management duties.
  • Serve as a resource for central development team on database navigation and best practices.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • 1 + year of relevant work/internship experience

Other Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
  • Some experience with designing creative visual content using programs like Canva is desired.
  • Ability to judge the relative importance of issues and act independently to address them, applying the appropriate level of urgency to achieve results.
  • Strong customer service mentality.
  • Curiosity, a proactive nature, persistence, flexibility, dependability, tact, poise, professionalism, and diplomacy.
  • Ability to work effectively with a team in an entrepreneurial environment and interact well with all internal and external constituents.
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure; prioritize and manage many, sometimes competing tasks, and maintain confidentiality.
  • High degree of proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint); previous experience with database reporting and constituent relationship management software preferred.

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.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

  • 1 + year of relevant work/internship experience

Other Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
  • Some experience with designing creative visual content using programs like Canva is desired.
  • Ability to judge the relative importance of issues and act independently to address them, applying the appropriate level of urgency to achieve results.
  • Strong customer service mentality.
  • Curiosity, a proactive nature, persistence, flexibility, dependability, tact, poise, professionalism, and diplomacy.
  • Ability to work effectively with a team in an entrepreneurial environment and interact well with all internal and external constituents.
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure; prioritize and manage many, sometimes competing tasks, and maintain confidentiality.
  • High degree of proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint); previous experience with database reporting and constituent relationship management software preferred.

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.

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME