Director of Major Giving

Are you passionate about ensuring access to fair, nonpartisan
news and information for everyone? Do you believe that citizens
across our state deserve access to information about the issues
that most affect their lives and the quality of life in their
communities? 

Wisconsin Watch is an entrepreneurial team working to build the
future of local news in our state. We’re passionate about
trustworthy reporting that holds public representatives accountable
and empowers the people of Wisconsin to solve problems, find
pathways to success and guide our state forward. We believe this
work is essential to keeping our communities and our democracy
strong.

We are excited to announce a search for a Director of Major
Giving who is committed to rebuilding our state’s ecosystem for
independent, fact-based local journalism. As a vital member of our
team, you will leverage your exceptional interpersonal skills to
build relationships with individuals who believe in the importance
of access to information and the power of accountability reporting.
Your ability to connect with donors, understand their values and
communicate our mission will enable you to cultivate a strong and
engaged community of supporters. Through targeted campaigns, events
and personalized outreach, you will inspire philanthropic
contributions that directly impact our ability to deliver credible,
thought-provoking news to the public. 

Join us as we work to seek the truth, expose wrongdoing,
highlight solutions and improve lives. 

Responsibilities:

Develop and execute a comprehensive
individual fundraising strategy that aligns with Wisconsin Watch’s
mission and fundraising objectives.
Work with the development team to
identify, research and qualify potential major donors.
Cultivate and maintain strong
relationships with current and prospective major donors through
regular communications and meetings, donor-focused events, reports
on the impact of our journalism and ongoing stewardship.
Create compelling proposals and
presentations that effectively communicate Wisconsin Watch’s impact
and the value of major donor support.
Collaborate with board members, staff
and volunteers to engage major donors in fundraising efforts and
develop stewardship plans.
Work with the development team to
maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the
organization’s CRM database and provide regular reports on major
donor fundraising activities.
Represent Wisconsin Watch at
fundraising events, community gatherings and activities that expand
our network and visibility.

Qualifications:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in
nonprofit fundraising, with a demonstrated track record of success
in major gifts fundraising.
Excellent interpersonal and
communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with
high-net-worth individuals and foundations.
Proven ability to develop and
implement effective major gifts fundraising strategies.
Experience working with CRM databases
and fundraising tools for donor management and prospect
research.
In-depth knowledge of fundraising
best practices and trends in major gifts fundraising within the
nonprofit sector.
Strong organizational and project
management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple
priorities and meet deadlines.
Self-motivated and able to work both
independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Passion for supporting independent
journalism and a deep commitment to the mission of Wisconsin
Watch.

Location: The Director of Major Giving should
be located in Wisconsin, preferably in the greater Madison or
greater Milwaukee areas, and expect to travel to those cities at
least twice a month and other Wisconsin locations as
needed. 

Salary: Starts at $80,000

Benefits: Generous vacation plus holiday time,
paid family and caregiver leave, subsidized medical and dental
premiums, vision coverage, short-term & long-term disability,
self-funded 403(b) retirement plan and more.

Deadline: Submissions will be reviewed on a
rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply by Feb. 16, 2024,
for best consideration. 

To apply: Please submit a PDF of your resume
and answer some brief questions in this application
form. If you’d like to chat about the job before applying,
contact Lauren Fuhrmann, Chief Revenue Officer, via email:
lfuhrmann@wisconsinwatch.org.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed
above? Wisconsin Watch is dedicated to building an
inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace – so if
you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t
align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we
encourage you to still submit an application. Wisconsin Watch
embraces anti-racism, diversity and inclusiveness in its
journalism, training activities, hiring practices and workplace
operations.