Director of Advancement – Foundation Relations

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

. Identify and cultivate donor prospects at major and principal levels .

Posted 11/10/2026full-timeMilwaukee • Wisconsin • United StatesLead💰 $84,000 - $90,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in fundraising strategy development, donor relationship management, and grant writing within complex institutions. Proven ability to lead teams, mentor colleagues, and achieve fundraising goals through effective communication and collaboration.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentDonor Relationship ManagementGrant Writing ExperienceCustomer Relationship Management (CRM) SoftwareProfessional Fundraising Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising Campaign ManagementProposal PreparationMajor Gifts SolicitationPlanned GivingImpact Reporting

Soft Skills

Excellent Verbal CommunicationExcellent Written CommunicationMentoringCollaborationTime Management

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeAdobeCRM SoftwareDatabase Solutions

Industry Keywords

Philanthropic StrategyFoundation RelationsDonor CultivationHigh-Capacity ProspectsComplex Institutions

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify and cultivate donor prospects at major and principal levels
Develop and implement fundraising plans
Manage a portfolio of 50–100 high-capacity, high-affinity foundation and organization prospects
Develop prospect strategies that move relationships toward gift solicitation
Identify, promote, and maintain donor relationships and solicitation opportunities
Evaluate existing strategies, build connections, track activities, and report 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 and represent institutional interests
Create partnerships within the Advancement team to reach fundraising goals
Collaborate with campus partners to strengthen prospect and donor relationships and grow philanthropic revenues
Serve as team leader in Foundation Relations Philanthropic Strategy and Relationship Management
Mentor members of the Directors of Advancement team
Manage multiple simultaneous assignments and meet deadlines
Attend weekend and/or evening events as driven by prospect and donor relationships

Requirements

What you’ll need

A 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 (Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc.)
Broad-based and progressive fundraising experience in annual giving, proposal preparation, individual, corporate and foundation solicitations, including major and planned gifts
Experience writing grants and reporting on 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, etc.
Fundraising campaign experience
Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States upon hire
Must complete a criminal background check
Finalist candidates must provide three professional/supervisor references
Must submit a cover letter and resume

Benefits

Comp & perks

Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities
Criminal background check and reference check process
Employment eligibility verification support as required by federal law