Fund Development Manager

Position Type: Full Time (40 hours per week)

Reports to: Advancement Director

Location: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (Milwaukee, WI)

Deadline to Apply: September 19, 2025

About Milwaukee Domes Alliance: As an operating partner of the Mitchell Park Horticultural  Conservatory, the Milwaukee Domes Alliance (formerly Friends of the Domes) helps cultivate a lifelong love of nature for all visitors through coordinating immersive, restorative experiences within Milwaukee’s iconic horticultural oasis.

Mission Statement: We provide inspirational experiences that restore connections to nature and community in a one-of-a-kind horticultural oasis at the heart of Milwaukee.

About the Domes: The Mitchell Park Domes provides a one-of-a-kind nature retreat that takes visitors across the globe in the course of an afternoon, all housed in the world’s most unusual and architecturally significant horticultural conservatory. Home to 2,000 plants from diverse climates, it is the world’s only beehive-shaped conservatory. The Domes represent a powerful tool for encouraging visitors to make environmentally sustainable choices within their own families. With shows and displays changing multiple times a year there’s always something new to explore at the Domes.

Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Fluency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workplace;
• Experience in donor management systems (preferably Salesforce);
• Bachelor’s degree preferred;
• CFRE or other fundraising certifications a plus;
• Minimum 3 years fundraising experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Fund Development Manager will assist with developing and implementing a comprehensive fund development program that will grow support among all constituencies.

Planning: (approximately 25% of time)

• Work with the Advancement Director to develop an annual development plan that includes goals and strategies for annual fund, corporate sponsorship, grant funding, special projects, and planned giving.
• Assist in all aspects of the capital campaign initiative including engaging in the moves management of donors and the tracking of donor progress
• Carefully track key metrics to ensure goals are met; track progress on prospect pipeline; produce regular reports for planning purposes.
• Ensure that fund development activities meet the established budget and timeline.

Implementation: (approximately 75% of time)

• Foundation funding: Research foundation prospects and work with the Executive Director and Advancement Director to develop grant proposals that receive funding.
• Corporate funding: Develop a successful corporate engagement strategy; identify and solicit prospects.
• Annual appeals: Manage a successful annual appeal campaign, including prospect generation and cultivation.
• Capital Campaign: Manage a small portfolio of current and potential donors and prospects.
• Events: In partnership with the Special Events Manager, manage the revenue generating aspects of special events, including ticket sales and underwriting.  Work directly with the gala committee on the planning and execution of annual event.
• Stewardship: Manage the stewardship of gifts, including the timely and accurate distribution of thank you letters and receipts; produce an annual donor impact report.
• Operations: Work collaboratively with the external bookkeeper for all gift processing.
• Database management: Work with designated team members to ensure accuracy of donor and member management system; capture contact information for donors and prospects ensuring that they are receiving proper communications.
• Marketing: Work closely with the entire staff to ensure a consistent public image, including following all brand guidelines; ensure all fundraising and marketing materials follow the messaging strategy of the organization; develop and implement a publications schedule aligned with fundraising goals/activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Personal Attributes: 

• Exceptional communication skills – both written and verbal;
• Organized and detail-oriented with a proven track-record in project management;
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills;
• Positive attitude and team player;
• Demonstrated ability to lead, collaborate, and build consensus;
• Self-directed with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• A strong commitment to the mission of Milwaukee Domes Alliance;
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and information;
• Ability to build, cultivate and sustain relationships with individuals, corporations, and foundations that financially support the work of Milwaukee Domes Alliance.

Physical Demands: The employee is occasionally required to traverse within their work area as well as other areas of the facility. Ascending and descending of stairs (building that does not contain an elevator). We value diversity: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits: 

• $25+ per hour

• $7,500 in healthcare premium reimbursement;

• Three weeks paid time off plus holidays and sick time.

• Flexible work hours; some work may be completed remotely. 

Commitment to Diversity: The Milwaukee Domes Alliance is an equal opportunity employer  and places a high value in creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Milwaukee  community. The Milwaukee Domes Alliance does not discriminate against any employee or  applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation,  gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status,  pregnancy, or parenthood. We believe diverse teams are effective teams, and that innovation is only possible when a set of diverse experiences and perspectives are at the table.