Fund Development Specialist (2461)

About the role

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) is a statewide, nonprofit association serving as a professional association whose members care for and educate Wisconsin’s children, aged birth to eight. WECA works to build a foundation for a lifetime of learning for Wisconsin’s young children by promoting excellence in early education programs, supporting professionalism in the early childhood workforce, and calling for greater investment in quality early child care.

WECA’s mission is to meet the professional needs of adults who nurture and teach Wisconsin’s young children through a rich continuum of services. The Fund Development Specialist plays a key role in advancing the organization’s fundraising goals through grant writing, proposal development, donor communications, stewardship, and reporting. Living in the state of Wisconsin is required for this position. Experience working in the early childcare industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director, Donor & Partner Engagement to build and diversify sustainable sources of revenue for WECA.
• Assist in developing and executing the organization’s fund development plan that includes strategies for growing WECA’s network of funders, donors, and partners.
• Research and identify prospective foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities.
• Develop, write, and submit grant applications, letters of inquiries, and funding proposals.
• Spearhead the organization's individual giving efforts, including the development of campaign materials, annual appeals, case statements, and more.
• Secure conference revenue through sponsorships and exhibitors.
• Coordinate efforts to secure in-kind and match funding.
• Prepare grant reports and impact updates for funders and thought partners.
• Help manage donor stewardship activities, including acknowledgements, reports, and targeted donor messaging.
• Maintain accurate donor and grant records in CRM system.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related discipline.
• A minimum of three years of fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated experience writing successful grant proposals, reports, and appeals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with donor databases and Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent analytical abilities that can be applied in aligning the organization’s objectives with available funding opportunities.

Benefits

• 10 days of vacation in your first year.
• 12 sick days per year, with the ability to bank up to 240 hours.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability (all company paid).
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance (company paid).
• Vision insurance.
• Accident insurance.
• Critical illness insurance.
• Hospital insurance.
• Flexible spending/dependent care account.
• 401K with company match: 100% up to 3% and 50% of the next 2%.
• Paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s.