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Fund Development Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Brown County, WI

Museum Director

Green Bay, WI · On-site

$95K/yr

Five (5) to seven (7) years of executive level experience in market analysis and fund development designed to meet the organization's strategic plan or carry out the organization's mission; or any ...

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Fund Development information

See Wisconsin salary details

$29.8K

$71.8K

$105.5K

How much do fund development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for fund development in Wisconsin is $71,789.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $87,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is fundraising a good career?

Fund development is a career focused on securing financial support for organizations through activities like grant writing, donor relations, and fundraising events. It often requires strong communication skills, relationship management, and knowledge of fundraising tools and strategies. The field can offer rewarding work but may involve variable income and job stability depending on the organization and funding environment.

What does fund development do?

Fund development professionals are responsible for securing financial support for organizations through activities such as grant writing, donor outreach, fundraising events, and relationship management. They develop strategies to increase funding, build donor relationships, and ensure the organization’s financial sustainability.

What is the difference between Fund Development vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectFund DevelopmentFundraising Coordinator
Primary FocusStrategic planning, building long-term donor relationships, and organizational growthExecuting specific fundraising campaigns and events
ResponsibilitiesDeveloping fundraising strategies, donor stewardship, and program developmentCoordinating events, outreach, and direct donor solicitation
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor’s degree, experience in development or nonprofit managementOften a bachelor’s degree, with emphasis on communication and event planning
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, strategic meetings, and relationship managementEvent sites, community outreach, and direct interaction with donors

Fund Development involves strategic planning and building long-term relationships to support an organization’s growth, while Fundraising Coordinator focuses on executing specific campaigns and events. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds but differ in scope and daily activities.

What is fund development?

Fund development is the strategic process of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting financial support for an organization, typically a nonprofit. It involves building relationships with donors, organizing fundraising campaigns, writing grant proposals, and managing donor communications. The goal of fund development is to secure the resources necessary to support the organization’s mission and programs. Professionals in this field use a variety of methods, including events, direct mail, online campaigns, and major gift solicitation.

What is the job description of a fund development?

Fund development professionals are responsible for planning and implementing strategies to raise funds for organizations, often through grant writing, donor relations, and fundraising events. They analyze funding opportunities, build relationships with donors, and manage fundraising campaigns to support organizational goals.

What is the highest paying job in a non-profit?

In non-profit organizations, executive roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Executive Director tend to be the highest paid positions, often earning six-figure salaries depending on the organization's size and funding. These roles require strong leadership, fundraising skills, and experience in management and strategic planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Fund Development, and why are they important?

To excel in Fund Development, you need strong relationship-building abilities, persuasive communication skills, and a background in fundraising or nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree or certification like CFRE. Familiarity with donor management software such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack is common in the field. Outstanding organizational skills, creativity, and resilience help professionals build donor trust and navigate fundraising challenges. These skills are vital for effectively securing resources and sustaining organizational growth and impact.

What are some common challenges faced in Fund Development roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Fund Development often encounter challenges such as donor fatigue, competition for limited funding, and cultivating long-term donor relationships. To address these, it's important to maintain transparent communication with stakeholders, diversify fundraising strategies, and leverage data to personalize outreach. Collaborating closely with program teams and leveraging digital tools can also enhance engagement and demonstrate the impact of donations, ultimately strengthening donor trust and loyalty.
What are the most commonly searched types of Fund Development jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Fund Development jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Fund Development jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Fund Development job openings:
Fund Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fund Development job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,789 per year, or $34.5 per hour.
Associate Director of Development/Director of Development/Senior Director of Development, Wisconsin

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

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

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 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 Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, working closely with Athletic Development Office staff, coaches, and Athletics leadership to develop and implement strategies related to gift opportunities and optimizing campus involvement in the development process.

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.
  • Work in collaboration with affiliated organizations and boards.
  • Participate in the external relations activities of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, attend sponsored events, etc., to solicit, encourage, increase the involvement of alumni/donors in UW activities.

Campus Relations
  • Work with WFAA and Athletics leadership to develop plans for a comprehensive advancement structure and operations.
  • Communicate, problem solve, and anticipate needs of the Athletic Development Office regarding accounting for donor created funds and serve as liaison between WFAA accounting department and the Athletic Development Office.
  • Request data/reports from WFAA staff to meet needs of donors and the Athletic Development Office.
  • Serve as WFAA liaison with the Division and other UW entities and friends/booster groups.

Administration
  • Make travel arrangements for self.
  • Write regular progress reports on prospect cultivation and solicitation, completing and filing thorough reports of all contacts in a timely manner.
  • Report/record/document development activity and results.
  • Write Memoranda of Agreement. (MOA's)
  • Monitor giving patterns and results for prospects/donors in portfolio and provide regular written or oral reports on progress and results of work with these prospects.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Associate Director of Development:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional work experience
  • 1 + years of professional fundraising /development experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or a related field.
  • Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising or related activities.
  • Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills required.
  • Ability to meet travel requirements (@25%).

Director of Development: (All listed above plus)
  • 3+ years of professional fundraising /development experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or a related field.

Senior Director of Development: (All listed above plus)
  • 5+ years of professional fundraising /development experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or a related field.

Other Qualifications:
  • Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills.
  • Self-directed, team player who has a strong, results-oriented, work ethic.
  • Understanding of the operation of a major research university and passion for promoting its intercollegiate athletic programs.
  • Experience using database management software (e.g. Paciolan, Advance, Salesforce, Blackbaud, Ticketmaster, etc.)
  • Previous experience in intercollegiate athletics and an understanding of NCAA rules are preferred.

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.

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