HERC Development Director

About the Organization

Since 1902, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation has demonstrated the power of collective giving by raising and investing financial resources to make the world a better place. Each year we distribute about $20 million to Jewish and other nonprofit organizations. Funds come primarily from our $7 million annual campaign and our $200 million Jewish Community Foundation. In addition to fundraising, we have several direct service programs like Jewish Museum Milwaukee, which served 30,000 remote visitors this past year, the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, which educates about 40,000 students and adults each year, and the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, serving the Jewish community across the state. We are committed to the principles of Klal Yisrael (the collective unity of the Jewish people), Tzedakah (the obligation to care for one another) and Tikkun Olam (improving the society in which we live). Learn more about the Milwaukee Jewish Federation here.

Program Overview

The Nathan & Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC), a program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, seeks an experienced development director looking for an entrepreneurial and empowering opportunity to help build out our fundraising program.
HERC is dedicated to the building of a society resting on the values of tolerance and diversity, dignity and respect toward all human beings. HERC teaches both students and adults the lessons learned from the Holocaust which led to the extermination of six million Jews and five million non-Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. HERC is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. It is only through learning about the dangerous and destructive course taken by the Nazis – of hatred, bigotry, and racism – that we can inspire our future generations to sustain a peaceful and just society for all.
As the only organization in the state of Wisconsin solely dedicated to Holocaust Education HERC is at a pivotal time in its history as our team prepares to meet the needs of educators and students statewide under Wisconsin Act 30, which was unanimously passed with bipartisan support in Spring 2021 and will require all public and charter middle and high schools to educate students about the Holocaust.
Under the leadership of the Executive Director, HERC’s staff and board are focused on building HERC’s capacity to steward thoughtfully its long-time supporters as well as engage new individuals, families and organizations in its cause, to expand our educational and programmatic offerings.

Development Director Position
The Development Director, a new role on our team, will work closely with HERC’s Executive Director and Development Committee to strategically plan and execute fundraising strategies to advance HERC’s mission. Through a variety of fundraising campaigns, the Development Director will be responsible for securing funding and growing our pipeline of donors, of all types and giving levels, to help meet and exceed fundraising goals through an annual fundraising plan. The Development Director will also manage HERC’s efforts to identify and secure grants and corporate gifts, both locally and nationally, in line with our mission. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Must be able to juggle multiple projects and meet strict deadlines. Collaboration with other team members is key.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
• Oversee and develop annual fundraising program, including spring and year-end appeals; recommend and coordinate other fundraising mailings as needed
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, design stewardship and cultivation strategies to build trusted long-term relationships with donors and prospects, ensuring their engagement with the mission and outcome of the organization
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, plan and execute events and individual opportunities for donor recognition, stewardship and cultivation
• Maintains positive relationships when cultivating and working with current and potential donors.
• Develops and manages a portfolio of prospective and current donors, including individuals, foundations, granting agencies, and corporations
• Work with Executive Director and cross-departmentally to match prospective funders with organizational priorities (i.e., educational program, outreach efforts)
• Coordinate with Administrative Coordinator to prepare letter templates to support ongoing thank you and gift acknowledgement process
• Positively represent HERC in the community and seek opportunity to advocate for HERC’s mission among a diverse group of community partners and donors.

Qualifications/Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in fundraising with progressive growth and responsibilities or equivalent sales-related field; able to show demonstrable success in these roles
• Stellar relational skills including professionalism, flexibility, diplomacy, affability, commitment to excellence and follow-through
• Highly organized self-starter able to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment
• Demonstrated flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities
• Solid critical thinking and analytical skills and the ability to use those skills to suggest improvements that benefit the whole HERC team
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, both in external communications with donors and board members, as well as internal communications with colleagues
• Previous grant writing experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Outlook 365, and donor databases (experience with Little Green Light a plus)

Job Classification: Salaried full-time, exempt
This is a salaried, full-time position eligible for company benefits including health insurance, paid vacation, and participation in a retirement plan. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and skills.

Reports to: Executive Director

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
Employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee duties may require
kneeling, crouching and standing for extended periods of time. Position requires occasional
work in the evening and on weekends interacting with donors at events, tours of the Museum,
and/or meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.