SUMMARY

The San Mateo Public Library Foundation (SMPLF) seeks a motivated, entrepreneurial, and experienced individual to advance its fundraising efforts. The Development Officer (DO) designs, implements, evaluates and refines SMPLF’s development activities which include direct mail appeals, personal solicitation, social and print media, corporate and foundation grants and sponsorships, and special events. The DO personally identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gift donors and prospects in accordance with performance targets set in collaboration with the SMPLF’s board of directors. And, the DO fosters collaborative relationships with SMPLF colleagues and Library constituents by coordinating joint solicitation efforts, developing internal processes and procedures, and aligning marketing and outreach efforts for multiple development programs and initiatives within SMPLF and SMPL. This position reports directly to the board co-presidents.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Develop Prospects & Nurture Donor Relationships

• Conducts research to identify corporate and private donors, with an emphasis on major gifts (qualifying amounts to be defined annually) and creates strategies to match prospects' interests to the priorities of the Foundation and the Library.

• Develops tailored approaches to local businesses and national corporations.

• Stewards relationships with existing grantors. Ensures that renewals are submitted to spec and on time. May begin to identify additional grant opportunities.

• Cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gift donors and prospects including individuals, corporations, and/or foundations, through visits and other forms direct/indirect personal contact in accordance with performance targets set in collaboration with the SMPLF board of directors.

• Researches, writes, edits, and/or oversees the preparation of persuasive, accurate, grammatically correct and graphically appealing solicitations, proposals, case statements, reports, correspondence, and other development-related communication materials in support of fund-raising activities.

• Plans and conducts programs and activities designed to increase the visibility of the SMPLF internal and external constituencies.

 

Project Management

• Coordinates day-to-day development strategies and activities to ensure timely and successful execution of programs, including the Fall Appeal campaign, regular (at least monthly) donor e-newsletters, and the LibraryLink (print) newsletter 

• Makes effective use of SMPLF’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database and other foundation resources to ensure appropriate segmentation and management of donors, prospects, and volunteers.

• Develops and maintains metrics that track donor base growth and engagement.

• Works closely with SMPLF Business Coordinator to ensure timely donor recordkeeping and acknowledgement.  

• May recruit, train and supervise volunteers to help with discrete fundraising activities.

​​

Collaborate Across Constituencies

• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with SMPLF colleagues, appropriate board members and/or other constituents to maximize total gift revenue, plan solicitation strategies, and leverage joint solicitation efforts.

• Meets monthly with the Executive Committee and SMPLF colleagues to discuss the strategic direction of the Foundation and Foundation revenue and expense budgets.

• Maintains strong relationships with Library leadership and staff.

​​

QUALIFICATIONS

• An entrepreneurial, community-minded spirit that will build on SMPLF’s strong existing network.

• An understanding of the role of the Library in a community and how the Foundation relates to both the City Librarian and the city budget.

• Minimum of five years’ experience managing and implementing a comprehensive development program in non-profit organizations. 

• Demonstrated and sustained success in soliciting gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.

• Exceptional verbal and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with SMPLF board members, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles.

• Strong writing skills and the ability to produce a range of written and graphic work including but not limited to the LibraryLink newsletter, grant proposals, donor acknowledgement letters and annual fundraising appeals.  

• Experience conceiving and implementing a variety of fundraising events.

• A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, work independently and maintain confidentiality.

• Experience developing, implementing, and adhering to budgets.

• Facility with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, Constant Contact, Social Media platforms, website development platforms (Wix.com) and database management systems.

• Able and willing to work some weekends and evenings, to use own automobile for travel to off-site meetings and events. Possess valid California Driver’s license and auto insurance.

 

The San Mateo Public Library Foundation (SMPLF) is a section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. 

Employees of the SMPLF are not employees of the City of San Mateo or of the San Mateo Public Library.

​