Associate Director of Advancement

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee invites an Associate Director of Advancement to lead grant writing, content development, and donor engagement. You will coordinate proposals, reports, and stewardship efforts while collaborating with the VP of Advancement and events teams.

The role emphasizes strong writing, organization, and teamwork to connect donors with the school’s faith-based mission and impact across multiple campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, English, journalism, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Experience in advancement, fundraising, grant writing, communications, or a related field.
• Ability to write clear, compelling content for different audiences and purposes.
• Strong editing and proofreading skills with attention to grammar, tone, and consistency.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
• Grant research and proposal-writing experience preferred.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or another donor management system preferred.
• Graphic design and layout experience, including Canva or Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.
• Writing samples may be requested as part of the application process.

Responsibilities

• Grants & Institutional Giving: research funding opportunities and prepare proposals with VP of Advancement.
• Communications & Storytelling: gather stories and draft content for newsletters and donor updates.
• Advancement Support: assist with annual appeals, donor stewardship, and event materials.

Skills

Grant writing

Storytelling

Communications

Editing & proofreading

Organizational skills

Research

Donor relations

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, nonprofit management, or related field

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Job description

Organizational Overview:

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee (NDSM) is a Catholic school founded by the School

Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What began in 1996 with 26 middle school

girls has grown to serve more than 800 students across three campuses, including a

coeducational early childhood and primary school and separate girls and boys middle

schools. Through academic excellence, faith formation, and strong family partnerships,

NDSM prepares students to succeed in school and beyond. To learn more, please visit

www.notredamemke.org.

Mission Statement:

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, a Catholic school sponsored by the School Sisters of

Notre Dame, challenges our students to reach their full potential as individuals, empowering

them to direct their God-given gifts toward transforming their community.

Vision Statement:

With deep faith and courage, Notre Dame School of Milwaukee boldly addresses the urgent,

critical needs of the community by providing an education focused on student and school

growth through quality and innovation.

Reports To: Vice President of Advancement

Areas of Responsibility: Advancement

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Overview:

The Associate Director of Advancement supports Notre Dame School of Milwaukee’s

fundraising, communications, and donor engagement efforts. Core responsibilities include

coordinating the grant process, developing written content, and assisting with appeals,

stewardship, events, and other advancement activities.

Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement and the Advancement team, this

person helps connect donors and other supporters to NDSM’s mission and impact.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and organized professional who can manage multiple

deadlines, work collaboratively, and contribute to a variety of advancement projects.

Graphic design experience is a plus but is not required.

Why Join Our Team?

At NDSM, your work will help connect people to the students, families, and opportunities

their support makes possible. You will join a collaborative Advancement team at an exciting

time in the school’s history, helping sustain successful programs and support continued

growth. This position offers the opportunity to combine writing, grant development, and

broader advancement work to expand access to a high-quality, faith-based education.

Work Environment:

This position works collaboratively with Advancement staff and colleagues across NDSM’s

campuses. Work includes office-based writing and research, meetings, campus visits, and

event support. Occasional evening or weekend participation is needed for school or

fundraising activities.

Physical Demands:

The position involves regular computer use, written and verbal communication, and

movement between meeting and campus locations. Occasional handling or transport of

materials weighing up to ten pounds may be required.

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, English, journalism, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Professional experience in advancement, fundraising, grant writing, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, compelling, and accurate content for different audiences and purposes.
• Strong editing and proofreading skills, with close attention to grammar, tone, and consistency.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to gather information through research, interviews, and collaboration with colleagues.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
• Grant research and proposal-writing experience preferred.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT or another donor management system preferred.
• Graphic design and layout experience, including familiarity with Canva or Adobe
• Creative Suite, is a plus but not required.
• Writing samples will be requested as part of the application process.

Key Responsibilities:

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Research foundation and corporate funding opportunities aligned with NDSM’s mission and priorities.
• Prepare grant proposals, applications, and reports in collaboration with the Vice President of Advancement.
• Maintain the grant calendar and coordinate information gathering, internal review, and submission.
• Work with Finance and school staff to gather budgets, program information, and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate grant records in Raiser’s Edge NXT and assist with funder updates and follow-up.

Communications & Storytelling

• Gather stories and develop content that communicates NDSM’s mission and impact.
• Draft content for newsletters, e-blasts, fundraising appeals, donor updates, and other materials.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications and Events to prepare materials for print and digital distribution.
• Edit and proofread communications for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Assist with design and layout projects as skills allow.

Advancement Support

• Assist with annual appeals, donor stewardship, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Prepare donor correspondence, proposals, presentations, and recognition materials.
• Support Salsa Sampler and other events through preparation of materials and assistance with assigned activities.
• Assist with prospect research, donor outreach, and follow-up as directed by the Vice President of Advancement.
• Maintain relevant donor information and activity records in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Contribute to special projects and other Advancement duties as assigned.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong storytelling skills and an ability to communicate both human impact and measurable results.
• Initiative and curiosity in identifying stories and potential funding opportunities.
• A warm, professional approach to working with colleagues and supporters.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive student, family, donor, and financial information.
• A collaborative approach and openness to feedback and revision.
• Careful attention to detail and reliable follow-through.
• Ability to work independently while keeping colleagues informed of progress and information needs.
• Flexibility to balance ongoing responsibilities with changing priorities.