Development and Communications Senior Associate (Grantwriter)

Development and Communications Senior Associate (Grantwriter)

Job Code: 2026-ADMINIST-002

Location: Milwaukee

Department: Development

FT/PT Status: Full Time

Salary: $65,000 - $80,000

Job Responsibilities
Combine leadership, research, and exemplary writing skills to support a 114‑year‑old nonprofit human service organization. Contribute to fundraising, program development, and communications while partnering with human service administrators.

Conceptualize and develop high‑level, complex proposals.

Develop and write agreed‑upon funding proposals and applications to government entities (federal, state, county, and city), foundations, United Way, and other funding sources.

Perform research for funding proposals and applications.

Assist in donor identification, cultivation, and recognition.

Handle many special and varied writing assignments.

Solicit donations, advertising, and in‑kind goods/services to promote WCS programs and special events.

Work closely with the Director of Development and Communication to implement the organization’s development plan and fund‑raising activities. Support special writing projects with senior leaders, produce creative input, and maintain clerical support. Cultivate local media relationships to publicly tell the WCS story.

Position Summary
Provides leadership and support in grant writing, program planning, and program development; writes and submits funding proposals; maintains social media presence; leads projects in development and communication including data collection, publications, marketing, and reporting to funders.

Essential Functions

Conceptualize and develop high‑level, complex proposals and submit them promptly.

Lead and write funding proposals and applications to various government entities and private foundations.

Use strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills; edit departmental work.

Collaborate with the Director to implement the agency’s development plan and fundraising activities.

Support and update electronic and social media presences.

Coordinate with VPs, Administrators, and Program Directors to identify grants and other funding mechanisms.

Lead donor identification, cultivation, and recognition; strengthen foundation and corporate relationships.

Take ownership of projects related to public relations and capital campaigns.

Collect, write, and archive success stories for agency use.

Contribute articles and stories to the bimonthly WCS newsletter, annual report, and other publications.

Lead special writing projects with the WCS Executive Team and senior leaders.

Create writing templates for specific uses.

Build relationships with the media and secure ongoing coverage of WCS work.

Prepare media and press releases for review and distribution to appropriate media channels.

Job Qualifications
Minimal Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master’s level studies in communication, public policy, social welfare, or related field; five to ten years of expertise in proposal/grant writing and institutional donors; knowledge of fundraising and research techniques. Proficiency with Microsoft 365, databases, design/presentation software, and event software.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Gather agency statistics and external data related to justice system, community reintegration, behavioral health, peer support, and related areas.

Maintain a central agency filing system for currently funded programming and projects.

Participate in public relations strategizing.

Update records of submitted proposals and applications; track results.

Lead preparation of presentations and deliver presentations on behalf of the agency.

Attend conferences, community meetings, and community‑building events to represent the agency.

Oversee interns in the Development and Communication Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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