Part-Time Executive Director, Development & Fundraising

Henry Vilas Zoo Foundation; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The Henry Vilas Zoo Foundation seeks an experienced nonprofit professional or service provider to provide Executive Director and Development Services on a part-time, independent contractor basis, averaging up to 25 hours per week.

The successful contractor will lead fundraising initiatives, build donor relationships, guide capital campaigns, and collaborate with the Board, Zoo leadership, donors, and partners to advance the Foundation's mission.

Qualifications

• Proven success in nonprofit fundraising and donor development.
• Experience cultivating major gifts and corporate partnerships.
• Experience developing or managing capital campaigns.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards.
• Ability to build relationships with a broad range of donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Experience planning and executing nonprofit events.
• A high level of professionalism, initiative, and discretion.
• Familiarity with donor management systems and online giving platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising strategy and long-term fundraising initiatives.
• Lead capital campaigns and develop a strong donor pipeline.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Develop major gift and corporate partnership opportunities.
• Prepare sponsorship proposals, donor presentations, and donor communications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board and Foundation operations.
• Manage day-to-day Foundation operations and coordinate vendors and consultants.
• Oversee donation processing, donor acknowledgments, and stewardship.
• Support Foundation communications, newsletters, promotional materials, website, and social media content.
• Coordinate with the Board on Foundation events, sponsorships, volunteers, and donor cultivation activities.
• Maintain regular communication with the Zoo Director and coordinate joint fundraising and public messaging as appropriate.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals and provide regular progress reports to the Board.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor development

Major gifts

Corporate partnerships

Public speaking

Board collaboration

Event planning

Donor stewardship

Financial stewardship

Tools

Donor management systems

Online giving platforms

Job description

The Henry Vilas Zoo Foundation seeks an experienced nonprofit professional or service provider to provide Executive Director and Development Services on a part-time, independent contractor basis, averaging up to 25 hours per week.

The successful contractor will lead fundraising initiatives, build donor relationships, guide capital campaigns, and collaborate with the Board, Zoo leadership, donors, and partners to advance the Foundation's mission.