Development Director

Central Arkansas Library System; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Holiday pay

Job summary

Central Arkansas Library System is seeking a Development Director to lead a comprehensive fundraising program supporting library initiatives. You will steward donor relationships, oversee staff and vendor activities, and ensure effective donor management aligned with CALS strategic goals.

The role drives annual giving, grants, major gifts, events, and capital campaigns while collaborating with the CALS Foundation and senior leadership to advance library programs and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum five years related fundraising and five years related management.
• Proven success in managing major gifts ($10,000+).
• Experience with fundraising software and donor databases.
• Ability to communicate persuasively and clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive fundraising program including annual giving, grants, major gifts, events, and capital campaigns.
• Build and steward donor relationships to support fundraising goals.
• Supervise Development Office staff and vendor activities.
• Direct communications and marketing for the CALS Foundation.
• Maintain a consolidated donor management system and ensure IRS compliance.
• Collaborate with CALS Foundation board and CALS Senior Leadership Team to set fundraising goals.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Board collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Fundraising software

Donor databases

Job description

Job Summary

The Development Director serves as the primary point person for all development and fundraising activities, leading a comprehensive fundraising program that includes annual giving, grants, major gifts, recruitment of event sponsors, and planned giving. The position builds and stewards donor relationships and supports fundraising goals of the CALS Foundation (a 501c3 that exists to support the programs and projects of the Central Arkansas Library System). The role provides leadership for the CALS volunteer program, grants program, and fundraising initiatives that advance the CALS Strategic Plan and enhance library programs and services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Deploy best practices as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to engage the support and participation of staff and all Boards (CALS Board, CALS Foundation Board) to achieve the fundraising goals that support the library’s strategic plan, goals, and objectives. Act as the primary point person for all matters related to development and fundraising.
• Manage and oversee a comprehensive fundraising plan for the library, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, sponsorships, solicitation of grants, fundraising events, and special campaigns (including capital campaigns).
• Plan and implement short-term and long-range plans for ongoing fundraising efforts that support new library initiatives in keeping with the CALS Strategic Plan.
• Serve as CALS’s primary frontline fundraiser, building relationships with donors and stewarding donors to ensure continued support for the library. Build relationships within the community and other non-profit organizations. Participate in community relations activities as necessary to promote CALS and cultivate donor relationships.
• Supervise and manage Development Office staff (Development Specialist, Grants & Development Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator) as well as any vendor activity.
• Execute policies and procedures for gift management and donor management activities. Develop and maintain donor stewardship policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with the CALS Foundation board and CALS Senior Leadership Team, create, direct, and implement fundraising goals of the CALS Foundation.
• Increase awareness of the mission of CALS Foundation. Direct all communications and marketing for the CALS Foundation, working in conjunction with the Development Specialist and the Communications Department.
• Administer a consolidated donor management system for the CALS Foundation that is accurate, reliable, and IRS compliant.
• Develop, cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with all boards, volunteers, staff, elected officials, major donors, prospective donors, other foundations, and other business and community leaders.
• Supervise and assist in the researching of grant opportunities to support identified CALS projects and programs, write or assist in writing grant applications in partnership with applicable Library staff; submit grant reports and documentation as required.
• Provide leadership and support for CALS Volunteer program.
• Provide support for CUBS (CALS Used Book Sale) activities, including regular CALS Used Book Sale events and the operation of Library Square Books (CALS used bookstore).
• Maintain a working knowledge of all library programs (especially Six Bridges Book Festival, Summer@CALS, Rock It! Lab, Count Up!, Be Mighty, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Digital Literacy, Community Resources, and Community Outreach) in order to connect funding opportunities with the needs of library programs with a goal of enhancing program capacity.
• Maintain an active role in appropriate professional organizations that foster professional growth.
• Pursue professional development which may include travel to keep informed of current and emerging fundraising trends.
• Adhere to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethical Standards.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A bachelor's degree, plus five (5) years related experience and/or training, and five (5) years related management experience.
• Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of major gifts ($10,000+).
• Ability to apply fundraising strategies to the public library environment.
• Ability to communicate in a persuasive and informative manner, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to promote library programs and services and effectively communicate the importance of the library to the community.
• Proven leadership and management skills that foster teamwork, effective communication, and high morale.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information, with discretion and trust.
• Strong commitment to public service.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and standard office equipment, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and well-formatted documents and reports.
• Experience with fundraising software and donor databases.

Physical Requirements

• Intermittent standing, walking, occasionally pushing, carrying, or lifting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Other Requirements

• Reliable transportation is required.
• Must pass a background check.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Benefits

Salary starts at $35.51 per hour annualized to $73,860 and includes excellent benefits such as medical, dental, vision, company paid retirement, life insurance, paid time off, paid parental leave, and holiday pay.