Development Manager - Milwaukee Office

Development Manager

College Possible Milwaukee

About College Possible

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success programs in the country, since 2000 College Possible has helped more than 80,000 students from under-represented communities get into and through college through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Its pioneering model matches students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help students overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Nationwide, College Possible students are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as a College Possible coach in communities throughout the country. Many coaches represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of $33 million, more than 200 full-time employees and more than 300 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 24,000 students nationwide. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 24,000 students nationwide.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education. To learn more, read our Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA; College Forward in Austin, TX; and Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Learn more at CollegePossible.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings.

Your Role as Development Manager

We're seeking a highly organized, detailed-oriented, and committed Development Manager who will function as a key member of the Wisconsin external relations team, working closely with the Grants Specialist, Marketing and Communications Associate, Development Director, and Executive Director to achieve annual revenue goals. Their primary focus will be managing the annual giving plan as well as executing high-quality annual fundraising events. These responsibilities include managing and tracking donor solicitations and gift processing, organizing all logistics of fundraising and donor stewardship events, managing the donor stewardship program and direct mail campaigns.

The position will serve as backup to the Development Director and coordinate development operations for the Wisconsin development program. The Development Manager will assist other external relations team members as necessary throughout the year for the department to successfully accomplish its goals.

• Annual Campaigns: Lead on all direct mail and annual fundraising campaign activities. Preparation and execution of all mailings, including the end-of-year campaign and annual impact report. Collaborate with the Communications staff to write all appeal letters and donor communications.

• Fundraising Events: Successfully plan and execute the annual Dream Big Dinner event for approximately 500 attendees, including leading all event preparation and post-event follow-up. Serve as staff on logistics for annual donor stewardship events, activities, and communications.

• Development Operations: Work with the National team to process gifts from foundations, corporations, and individuals, including monetary, services, and in-kind and send out acknowledgement letters in an accurate, timely manner.

• Database management: Ensure data integrity for Milwaukee constituents in the Raiser's Edge database. Create and pull queries, exports and mailing lists from Raiser's Edge as necessary, working with staff at the National office.

• Prospecting, Research, and Cultivation: Strategize and implement cultivation opportunities to identify and inspire prospective supporters to become donors.

• Other Duties as Apparent or Assigned: Work with the Development Director on various projects as assigned.

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Nonprofit or Fund Development certification preferred.

Related Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years fundraising and special event management experience.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and managing direct mail projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.
• Experience leading and organizing large-scale fundraising events.

Computer/Software Skills:

• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, G-suite, and Trello.
• Salesforce experience strongly preferred.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with demonstrated project management skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker and problem-solver, able to work independently and well as demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.
• Relationship builder with the flexibility and sensitivity to balance the perspectives of others.
• Must have a commitment to engage in diversity, inclusion, and equity work.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 15 lbs.
• Must be able to talk, listen, and speak clearly on telephone.

What We Offer

In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

• Competitive salary range annually based on experience
• Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous PTO program
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply at: www.CollegePossible.org/careers Include a resume and cover letter.