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Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Disability/Vet).
Major Gift Officer
Job Code:2025-ADMINIST-006
Location:Milwaukee
Department:Development
FT/PT Status:Full Time
  
Job Responsibilities:

MAJOR GIFT OFFICER

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.

Are you a relationship-builder with a passion for advancing social justice and community well-being? Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) is seeking a dynamic Major Gift Officer to join our Development and Communications Team. In this vital role, you’ll cultivate and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects who are inspired by our mission to serve individuals and families impacted by behavioral health challenges, justice involvement, and systemic barriers.

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) is seeking a passionate and strategic Major Gift Officer to help drive our mission forward by cultivating meaningful relationships with major donors and philanthropic partners. This role is key in generating support for programs that make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families impacted by behavioral health needs, justice involvement, and family and child welfare.

As Major Gift Officer, you’ll help shape and grow our Major Gifts program, engaging donors at all levels to deepen their connection to our work and expand their philanthropic support. You’ll work closely with our CEO and colleagues across the organization to align donor passions with the life-changing programs and services WCS delivers throughout the community.

This is more than a fundraising role—it’s a chance to build lasting partnerships, share powerful stories of impact, and fuel the future of compassionate, community-centered care.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience: $75,000 - $90,000

Job Summary:
The Major Gift Officer is responsible for cultivating, managing, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects to secure philanthropic support for Wisconsin Community Services (WCS). This role will focus on engaging donors who are passionate about the mission of WCS, the organization’s programs, and priorities including addressing community needs in the area of behavioral health, justice involvement and family and child well-being. The Major Gift officer will play a key role in developing and advancing WCS’ Major Gift program, contributing to the acquisition and growth of both major donor participation and giving society involvement. This position offers an exciting opportunity to build long-term relationships with donors at varying levels of giving, helping to cultivate them into significant supporters of the mission of WCS. As part of the Development and Communications Team, the Major Gift Officer will work collaboratively with Chief Executive Officer and other colleagues to achieve the fundraising goals of WCS, and enhance relationships with donors, current and former staff, current and former Board members and the broader community. May be requested to assist with corporate and foundation requests.

Essential Functions:

  • Donor Portfolio Management - Actively manage a portfolio of major gifts donors and prospects, focusing on individuals at varying levels of giving. Develop and implement personalized engagement strategies tailored to each donor’s interests, giving history, and philanthropic goals.
  • Discovery Calls and Cultivation -  Conduct discovery calls and meetings with new prospective donors to assess their philanthropic interests and identify potential for major gifts. Work to qualify prospects, build relationships, and cultivate them into major donors over time through personalized outreach and engagement strategies.
  • Major Gifts Solicitation - Lead the solicitation process for major gifts, collaborating closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other colleagues. Tailor proposals and engagement strategies to align with donors’ passions and WCS’ funding priorities, ensuring that donors feel deeply connected to the organization’s mission.
  • Giving Societies and Donor Engagement - Play an active role in cultivating, engaging and stewarding members of Wisconsin Community Services giving societies. Develop tailored stewardship plans for society members, ensuring they are recognized, engaged and feel a strong sense of connection to the organization’s leadership and mission. Create opportunities for deeper involvement, including special events, giving society communications and donor recognition opportunities.
  • Prospective Donor Engagement and Qualification - Actively engage with new prospective donors to assess their philanthropic interests, identify potential for major gifts, and qualify their capacity and readiness to contribute. Build strong relationships with individuals at varying levels of engagement, moving them through the cultivation cycle with personalized strategies that align with their values and the priorities of Wisconsin Community Services.
  • Donor Stewardship Retention - Develop and implement comprehensive stewardship strategies for major donors and giving society members. Provide analysis and regular impact reports, organize special donor events, and create opportunities for ongoing engagement to ensure that donors remain committed to the mission of Wisconsin Community Services.
Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

  • Strong interpersonal skills - ability to engage and build trust with donors, prospects, and colleagues in a positive and meaningful way.
  • Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication skills - ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
  • Exceptional organizational skills - strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage donor portfolios and maintain accurate records.
  •  Leadership-ability to lead projects and people effectively.
  •  Technological Aptitude – Ability to use general technological skills throughout daily job i.e., Email, Internet, company specified systems.
  •  Managing Priorities/Deadlines – Ability to maintain schedules, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
  •  Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to think critically and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
  •  Adaptability – Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise and work independently or as part of a team.
  •  Teamwork – Ability to work as a team and participate productively while also managing independent contributing duties and responsibilities.
  •  Interpersonal Skills – Ability to work with others and relate to persons we serve. Able to establish rapport and build effective relationships at various levels in a diverse setting.

Required Qualifications:  

  • Education - Bachelor's degree
  • Experience -
    • Three years’ experience working in a professional fund-raising role with individual donors, foundations and corporations.
    • Must have experience with advancement Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) and Microsoft Office tools to track, analyze and manage donor information, and a have a willingness to learn new technologies as needed.
  • Must be proficient with the process of donor engagement and moves management.
  • General knowledge of metro Milwaukee philanthropic community and opportunities for fund development.


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Other Job Information (if applicable):

Work Relationship and Scope:
Reports to the Director of Development and Communication; position serves as a representative of the agency at various functions in the community, government and private sector; has contact with a wide variety of individuals including those receiving services from the agency, staff, Executive and Senior Leadership teams along with collaborative partners, funders, the press and the general public; works closely with actual and potential funding sources.  Provides backup  for a variety of development administrative duties.

Personal Attributes:

  • Relate to others with dignity and respect
  • Embrace the mission and purpose of WCS
  • Embrace service provision to underserved communities
    serve as a role model for accountability and commitment to excellence
  • Adhere to WCS Code of Conduct
  • Maintain professional and respectful relationships with staff, people served and community leaders
  • Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
  • Demonstrate high levels of ethical behavior and integrity at all times


Working Conditions:
Frequent travel required. Noise levels range from low to medium. Work is performed in an office and in the community going to one on one and group meetings.  Visits with others at WCS program locations.  A flexible work schedule is required to meet the needs of staff and the people being served.  May require more than 40 hours per week. 


Physical Demands:
Must be able to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time, frequent standing, walking and ability to lift 10-25 pounds.  Must be able to reach and bend as needed throughout the day.  Must be able to frequently sit while driving and work in community settings, climb stairs and manage changing weather conditions and extremes.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.