Job Title: Fund Development Specialist
Reports To: Vice President of Fund Development
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Summary
The Fund Development Specialist plays a key role in advancing Guest House of Milwaukee’s mission by supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives. This position manages donor data and acknowledgments, assists in executing fundraising campaigns and events, and supports donor communications and prospect research. The Specialist collaborates with the Vice President of Fund Development to strengthen relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation supporters, helping to grow private philanthropy and diversify revenue streams.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage and maintain the donor database to ensure accurate records, reporting, and timely acknowledgments.
- Assist in planning and implementing fundraising campaigns, appeals, and events.
- Assist in drafting key donor communications including thank-you letters, newsletters, and impact updates.
- Conduct prospect research on individuals, corporations, and foundations to identify new funding opportunities.
- Support donor stewardship by coordinating recognition efforts and ensuring a consistent donor experience.
- Provide administrative support to the fund development department to help meet fundraising goals and deadlines.
- Represent Guest House at community events and speaking engagements.
- Conduct volunteer and donor tours upon request and as needed.
- Collaborate with the Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager as needed to ensure smooth integration of donor and volunteer experiences.
Other Duties
- While this position primarily works weekdays, flexibility in scheduling will occasionally require accommodating evening and weekend commitments.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President of Fund Development.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- 2–3 years of nonprofit experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development support.
- Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Familiarity with donor databases and fundraising software preferred.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Valid Wisconsin driver’s license, insurance (, and reliable transportation.
Physical Demands
This position description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the employee. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of duties or responsibilities required of the employee. The employee may occasionally lift, push or pull up to 25 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.