Development Director

Ames Public Library Friends Foundation; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

Ames Public Library Friends Foundation seeks a Development Director to lead fundraising, donor engagement, and development efforts. Working with the APLFF Board and Library staff, you will cultivate individual donors, businesses, and foundations to strengthen annual giving and sponsorships, while guiding campaigns and donor stewardship.

This role requires relationship building, organization, and diplomacy, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently and with a board.
• Ability to handle confidential donor information.
• Commitment to the mission of public libraries.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual fundraising campaigns and develop plans with the board.
• Cultivate donors, businesses, and partners to grow giving and sponsorships.
• Identify funding needs, establish fundraising goals, diversify revenue, support the Library.
• Research and pursue grants from foundations, corporations, and other sources.
• Prepare grant proposals and sponsorship requests with Library staff.
• Build donor acknowledgments and track donor stewardship and impact.
• Develop donor-focused communications for website, newsletters, and social media.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Excellent organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Initiative and independence

Discretion with confidential info

Commitment to public libraries

Tools

DonorPerfect

Microsoft Office

Job description

Hours: Approximately 20–30 hours per week

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with flexibility for remote and in-person responsibilities

Reports To: APLFF Board of Directors, through the Executive Committee

Compensation: $30/hour with availability to discuss and negotiate

ABOUT APLFF

The Ames Public Library Friends Foundation (APLFF) supports the Ames Public Library and expands its impact through fundraising, grants, business partnerships, and donor engagement. APLFF helps provide resources, programs, and opportunities that extend beyond public funding, connecting community generosity with learning, discovery, and connection.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Director leads APLFF’s fundraising, donor engagement, and development efforts to strengthen financial support for the Ames Public Library. This position builds relationships with individual donors, businesses, grantmakers, and community partners; oversees fundraising campaigns, grants, sponsorships, donor stewardship, and development communications; and identifies opportunities to grow philanthropic support. Working collaboratively with the APLFF Board of Directors and Library staff, the Development Director aligns fundraising priorities with Library needs, communicates the impact of donor generosity, and supports APLFF’s long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate is relationship-oriented, organized, creative, and comfortable balancing multiple projects and perspectives. This position requires sound judgment, professionalism, diplomacy, and the ability to help people feel heard, respected, and informed while keeping work focused on shared goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Development

• Lead annual fundraising campaigns, including two major annual mailings, and develop fundraising plans with the APLFF board and fundraising committee.
• Cultivate individual donors, businesses, and community partners to grow annual giving, sponsorships, endowment gifts, planned giving, and other philanthropic support.
• Work with the APLFF Board and Library Director to identify funding needs, establish fundraising goals, diversify revenue, and strengthen financial support for the Library.

Grant Writing and Sponsorships

• Research and pursue grants from foundations, corporations, and other funding sources.
• Write and submit grant proposals, letters of support, sponsorship requests, and other funding materials in collaboration with Library staff as appropriate.
• Build business and community partnerships, secure sponsorships and in-kind contributions, and track proposals, deadlines, commitments, reports, and follow-up.

Donor Relations and Stewardships

• Solicit, build, and maintain donor relationships through personalized communication, gratitude, engagement, and outreach to lapsed donors.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgments, thank-you letters, recognition, and impact updates that demonstrate the value of donor generosity.
• Maintain accurate, confidential donor records and giving histories; coordinate gift acknowledgment and data entry with support staff; and follow APLFF gift acceptance policies.

Communications and Community Engagement

• Develop donor- and fundraising-focused communications for the website, email newsletters, social media, and printed materials.
• Create content that communicates APLFF's mission, fundraising priorities, and the impact of donor-funded resources, programs, and services.
• Represent and advocate for APLFF through community presentations, events, and outreach that increase awareness and encourage philanthropic support.

Events and Special Initiatives

• Plan and coordinate an annual donor appreciation event and other donor engagement initiatives.
• Represent APLFF at donor events, community gatherings, meetings, and other engagement opportunities.
• Attend APLFF-funded Library events as appropriate to support Library initiatives, capture photos, and communicate the impact of donor generosity.

Organizational and Board Support

• Lead the APLFF fundraising committee in establishing annual priorities, developing fundraising plans, and following through on agreed-upon goals.
• Attend monthly APLFF board meetings and prepare reports on fundraising activities, donor engagement, progress toward goals, and development priorities.
• Maintain organized development records, timelines, and communication systems; provide recommendations to support board decisions.

Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Build positive working relationships with board members, Library staff, donors, businesses, and community partners.
• Serve as a key connection between APLFF and the Library, communicating clearly and aligning fundraising efforts with Library needs and priorities.
• Navigate differing perspectives, sensitive conversations, and competing needs with active listening, diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment while maintaining trust and focusing on shared goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive writing and public speaking.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and relationships.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, tact, adaptability, and the ability to build trust.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently while collaborating effectively with board members, staff, donors, and community partners.
• Ability to handle confidential donor and organizational information with discretion.
• Commitment to the mission and value of public libraries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, grant writing, donor relations, communications, or a related field.
• Experience writing fundraising appeals, grant proposals, sponsorship requests, or other persuasive materials.
• Experience coordinating events, leading committees, preparing reports, or working with a nonprofit board.
• Experience developing fundraising plans, donor stewardship practices, and community partnerships.
• Familiarity with the legal and financial considerations of charitable giving, including gift acceptance, endowment gifts, and planned giving.
• Experience using donor management databases or fundraising software, such as DonorPerfect, and proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity tools.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Donor-centered relationship building.
• Fundraising strategy and persuasive writing.
• Grant research and proposal development.
• Project management, organization, and follow-through.
• Public speaking and event coordination.
• Diplomacy, active listening, and navigating disagreement.
• Creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving.
• Discretion and sound judgment.
• Initiative and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.