Director of Advancement for Foundation Relations
About The Position
The Gift Officer II – Director of Advancement (Foundation Relations) identifies and cultivates relationships with major- and principal-level donor prospects, develops and implements fundraising plans, and collaborates with Advancement staff to achieve gift contribution goals. The Director also provides leadership and mentorship to the Directors of Advancement team, particularly in Foundation Relations. This frontline development role focuses on revenue generation through relationship-based fundraising. The Director manages a portfolio of 50–100 high-capacity, high-affinity foundation and organization prospects, creating strategies to advance each prospect toward solicitation. The role requires strategic communication and interpersonal skills, productivity, and efficient work practices to meet metrics established by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development. The Director is expected to become a subject matter expert in Foundation Relations and work effectively within UWM’s university-wide fundraising model. Success requires adaptability, thoughtful communication, strong listening, long-term relationship building, knowledge of fundraising trends and donor behavior, and problem-solving skills. The Director builds trusting partnerships with University Advancement staff, campus colleagues and leaders, and the UWM Foundation, Inc. They work independently and proactively, manage simultaneous assignments and deadlines in a service-oriented environment, and use database solutions to implement prospect and donor strategies, track relationship status, and produce results in a data-driven culture. Weekend and evening events may be required as dictated by prospect and donor relationships. The Division of University Advancement champions UWM by maximizing private support for its schools, colleges, units, and programs through development and alumni relations. Its work promotes philanthropy and stewardship, engages alumni, supports campus priorities, respects donors’ interests, provides a positive giving experience, upholds professional ethics, and holds parties accountable for goals and objectives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least eight years of professional fundraising experience with a track record of soliciting prospects.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency with computers and standard applications, including Microsoft Office and Adobe.
- Strong listening and interpersonal skills, with an ability to prioritize long-term partnerships over transactional fundraising.
- Ability to ask thoughtful questions and adapt communication and engagement strategies to philanthropic goals.
- Strategic thinking, awareness of fundraising trends and donor behavior, and problem-solving ability.
- Ability to work collaboratively and build trusting relationships with Advancement staff, campus colleagues and leaders, and UWM Foundation staff.
- Ability to think independently, proactively, creatively, and strategically; manage simultaneous assignments; and meet deadlines without compromising quality.
- Knowledge and proficiency in database solutions for prospect and donor strategy execution and relationship tracking.
- Willingness to attend weekend and/or evening events when required by prospect and donor relationships.
Nice To Haves
- Broad-based, progressive fundraising experience in annual giving, proposal preparation, individual, corporate, and foundation solicitations, including major and planned gifts.
- Experience writing grants and reporting on the impact of grants received.
- Experience working in large, complex institutions such as universities, hospitals, or government agencies.
- Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) software applications and/or database solutions for event management, marketing, or related work.
- Fundraising campaign experience.
Responsibilities
- Identify, promote, and maintain donor relationships and identify solicitation opportunities that support program funding goals through effective portfolio management.
- Manage a portfolio primarily consisting of regional and national foundation prospects; evaluate strategies, build connections, track activities, and submit reports as required.
- Lead the end-to-end development of letters of inquiry and proposals for foundation grants and gifts.
- Serve as a liaison to internal and external constituencies, build relationships, provide information, and represent the institution’s interests.
- Partner with the Advancement team to achieve fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with campus partners to strengthen prospect and donor relationships and grow philanthropic revenue.
- Serve as team leader in Foundation Relations philanthropic strategy and relationship management.
- Develop and implement fundraising plans and work collaboratively with Advancement staff to meet gift contribution goals.
- Provide leadership and mentorship to the Directors of Advancement team, especially in Foundation Relations.
- Manage multiple assignments and deadlines while maintaining quality and using database solutions to implement strategies and track relationship status.
- Attend weekend and/or evening events as driven by prospect and donor relationships.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
