Development Officer

University of Wisconsin Stout•Menomonie, WI

About The Position

The UW-Stout Polytechnic Foundation and Alumni Association, Inc. at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic is hiring a full-time Development Officer to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major current and deferred gifts for university colleges, departments, and programs. The position complements the fundraising efforts of the Chancellor and Development team and works closely with college faculty and staff, the Foundation and Alumni Association Board of Directors, and other university partners. The Development Officer primarily works with alumni, friends, and foundations to understand philanthropic interests and goals and secure gifts supporting the university’s strategic fundraising priorities. The role manages a portfolio of prospects and donors, develops individualized engagement and solicitation strategies, coordinates fundraising travel and activities, and supports stewardship, recognition, and donor engagement. The position also represents assigned areas and the Foundation at university and alumni events and provides leadership and support to volunteer fundraising groups. The Foundation and Alumni Association advances the mission of UW-Stout Polytechnic by building relationships with alumni, friends, and industry partners. Under the direction of its Board of Directors, it acquires and stewards philanthropic resources for the university. The minimum starting salary is $75,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Experience in professional or higher education fundraising, financial services, public relations, marketing, or sales.
Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, and success working in a team setting.
Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to champion the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of professional development experience, with demonstrated ability to promote and successfully solicit major and planned gifts by identifying prospects, managing portfolios, designing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and ensuring follow-up and stewardship.
Experience in higher education.
Experience with comprehensive fundraising strategies, major gift fundraising, and estate or planned giving tools.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain working knowledge of assigned colleges and programs, their missions, needs, and fundraising priorities.
Collaborate with deans, department chairs, program directors, faculty, and volunteers on strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors.
Develop and implement strategies for each prospect, including ways to increase donor and prospect involvement in university activities.
Conceive, write, and edit fundraising proposals.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date development actions in the donor database system.
Analyze research reports and database information about assigned donors and prospects.
Develop and maintain prospect lists with annual goals for visits and funds raised.
Coordinate development activities and manage a personal portfolio of prospects and donors to support timely solicitation, gift closure, and stewardship.
Plan and conduct trips in key geographic areas to qualify and cultivate donors, coordinating with alumni and development staff, deans, and faculty as appropriate.
Use current and planned gift opportunities to meet donors’ needs, interests, and financial giving capabilities.
Provide appropriate support to the Chancellor, Dean, and volunteers in their fundraising activities.
Represent assigned areas at college and university development meetings and events.
Provide leadership and support to volunteer boards or groups formed for fundraising projects.
Represent the Foundation at college, university, and Alumni Association events.
Contribute to university external communications related to assigned areas to support stewardship and identify donor and prospect recognition and engagement opportunities.
Carry out stewardship activities for major and planned giving donors.