1

Development Assistant Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

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.
Prospect Development Analyst

Prospect Development Analyst

Highlight Technologies

Madison, WI • Hybrid

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 a Prospect Development Analyst to join our Research and Prospect Management (RPM) Team.

In collaboration with multiple WFAA development teams, the Prospect Development Analyst provides prospect information and consultation in support of effective fundraising programs and activities. This position provides portfolio management support to development officers, utilizing prospect management best practices and prospect data to optimize fundraising resources. This is a hybrid position that will require you to work weekly in our Madison, WI office location.  

**Interested candidates please submit a cover letter along with your resume.** 

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

Prospect Development Consultative Services

  • Consult with development clients in regular portfolio review meetings to advise on portfolio composition, and discuss portfolio activity and prospect identification needs.
  • Partner with new Development Directors and Prospect Identification Analyst team to assist in establishing portfolios.
  • Collaborate with RPM Team members to identify, evaluate, and recommend assignments and qualifications of the University’s top prospects.
  • Coordinate with business intelligence and analytics teams to deploy systems to help enhance prospect management strategies and reporting for success in all stages of development.

Prospect Management Duties

  • Implement prospect management strategies, business processes, and protocols, specifically, those activities focused on informing and motivating prospect activity.
  • Serve as subject matter expert on prospect management policies and system processes, providing training to development clients as needed.
  • Develop, document, and maintain a schedule of regular data audit tasks to ensure that prospect management data is optimized for portfolio management and organizational reporting.

Prospect Qualification Duties 

  • Research new prospects using experience and judgment to qualify prospects for major gift development. The review process includes capacity verification, demographic updates, broad interest, and philanthropic history and provides rationale for unit assignment.

Participate as a member of the Research & Prospect Management Team

  • Attend and participate in regular research meetings and offsites.
  • Share best practices and provide training for research colleagues.
  • Attend and participate in development group meetings regularly.
  • Lead or participate in strategic planning and priority team projects.
  • Recommend research information sources and other tools for subscription renewal, new purchase, or as an addition to regularly used free web sources.
  • Participate in organization-wide task forces or other appropriate groups.

Professional Development

  • Participate in at least one appropriate professional development conference, continuing education course, or workshop per year.
  • Present information on prospect development functions during staff training and orientation sessions.
  • When applicable, share prospect development expertise with development officers and researchers at other organizations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience.
  • 1+ year(s)’ experience in prospect research, prospect management, development, or information field.
  • Experience with MS office products, particularly Word and Excel; and capacity to become fluent in SQL, Salesforce, and Power BI is required.
  • Understanding of information management in a database structure, particularly the ability to store, manipulate and retrieve data.
  • Ability and expertise in discerning data quality discrepancies that require further investigation.
  • Experience with SQL and/or relational databases to perform queries and create reports (working knowledge of Salesforce and/or Microsoft Access or similar preferred).
  • Demonstrated interest, or application, of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

  

Other Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree.
  • Understanding of basic financial principles.

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 (advanceuw.org) 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:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional work experience.
  • 1+ year(s)’ experience in prospect research, prospect management, development, or information field.
  • Experience with MS office products, particularly Word and Excel; and capacity to become fluent in SQL, Salesforce, and Power BI is required.
  • Understanding of information management in a database structure, particularly the ability to store, manipulate and retrieve data.
  • Ability and expertise in discerning data quality discrepancies that require further investigation.
  • Experience with SQL and/or relational databases to perform queries and create reports (working knowledge of Salesforce and/or Microsoft Access or similar preferred).
  • Demonstrated interest, or application, of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

  

Other Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree.
  • Understanding of basic financial principles.

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 (advanceuw.org) 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