Director of Development

The Gloria Coles Flint Public Library is on a mission to be Flint’s go-to place for lifelong learning, providing access to resources that help community members succeed in today’s knowledge economy.

The Library is now seeking nominations and applications for its next Director of Development. This Director will oversee all aspects of fundraising and ensure that the Library has the financial resources to support its mission and goals. As the Library expands its focus on early childhood literacy, digital learning, and serving as a community hub, the Director will manage donor cultivation, engagement, and recognition efforts while seeking new funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.

This position requires a high degree of collaboration with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, staff, and the many stakeholders who care about the Library to align fundraising efforts with its strategic goals. The Director will also play a critical role as a strategic thought partner, collaborating closely with leadership to develop and implement effective fundraising strategies.

This position will be in-person with the potential for occasional remote work, and they will report to the Executive Director.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Gloria Coles Flint Public Library (formerly Flint Public Library) has been a cornerstone of Flint’s community since its founding in 1885. The Library invests in three key service areas:

• Early Childhood Literacy: Helping parents and caregivers prepare children for reading and exposing them to STEM programming.
• Digital Learning: Closing the technology education gap by teaching aspects of computer science and making technology accessible to the public.
• Community Hub: Providing welcoming spaces for people to gather for learning, dialogue, or entertainment.

The Library's rich history, from its origins with the Ladies Library Association to its recent renovations and rebranding, underscores its deep-rooted commitment to serving Flint residents. The Library relies heavily on private funding to supplement the minimal state aid it receives and is fortunate to have a supportive group of Friends, local foundations, and individual donors who help maintain and expand its programs.

THE COMMUNITY

History, resilience, and pride are a few of the defining characteristics of Flint. Located in the heart of Genesee County on the east side of Michigan, Flint is home to just over 81,000 residents. Flint is a diverse community whose ethnic roots can be explored through the arts, culture, and food scenes. With many indoor and outdoor music venues, a bustling farmers market, and established cultural institutions, Flint offers a unique mix of amenities for individuals to enjoy all year long. Gloria Coles Flint Public Library is located within the Flint Cultural Center. This unique campus houses a group of nationally recognized cultural institutions aimed at furthering the arts, sciences, and humanities. In addition to the library, it is home to the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Flint Repertory Theatre, Sloan Museum of Discovery, and the Flint Cultural Center Academy. The University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College, and Kettering University serve as academic anchors for higher education. Flint residents are known for their indomitable spirit, grassroots initiatives, and collaborative approach to community needs.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The Director of Development will have the opportunity to significantly expand and diversify the Library’s financial resources, as well as serve on the Executive Team. Key challenges and opportunities include:

Fundraising Strategy and Implementation

• Collaborate with the Library’s Executive Director and Board of Trustees to develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to raise sustainable funds.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving to increase the Library’s ability to offer excellent programs and services.
• Coordinate and manage fundraising campaigns and special events.
• Analyze fundraising data to identify trends and inform future strategies.

Donor Cultivation and Engagement

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors through regular communication, meetings, and personalized outreach.
• Develop and implement donor recognition programs to acknowledge and celebrate donor contributions.

Donor Management and Relations

• Develop and deliver reports, impact stories, and other materials that demonstrate the value and impact of donor support.
• Organize and lead donor appreciation events and activities.

Collaboration and Team Leadership

• Engage with executive leadership team, Board of Trustees, Friends of the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, and library staff to understand funding needs and align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
• Work with the Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator to enhance the Library’s visibility, ensuring that marketing and communication efforts align with fundraising goals to attract and retain donors.
• Ability to lead, coach, and inspire colleagues.

People and Budget Management

• Supervise the Development Assistant, ensuring their work aligns with the organization's goals, providing regular feedback, and investing in their professional growth and development.
• Develop and manage the development department’s budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Monitor expenditures and revenue, providing consistent financial updates to the executive leadership team and Board of Trustees.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Qualifications and Job Requirements

• Required
  • A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Business Management, Non-Profit Management, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.
  • 5+ years fundraising, development, and grant writing experience.
  • Demonstrated success managing, supporting, and coaching direct and indirect reports.
  • Intermediate technology skills for successful use of social media, donor management software, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace, and curiosity to learn new platforms
  • Demonstrated ability to write successful grants and funding proposals.
  • Ability to manage donor interest and personal information with tact and confidentiality.
  • Ability to travel within city, state, and out-of-state as needed.
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Preferred
  • Experience with library fundraising.
  • Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) or other relevant professional certification.
  • Membership in fundraising professional associations.
  • Experience with major gift fundraising, planned giving, and endowments.
  • Bilingual in English and additional language(s).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in successful donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that expand donor base and increase revenue.
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices and industry trends.
• Knowledge of the legal intricacies of fundraising.
• Fundraising, relationship building, grant writing, preparation, and administration.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent research and written and verbal presentation skills.
• Operates with a minimum of supervision and works collaboratively in a team.
• Strong interpersonal, listening, verbal, and written skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
• Proven skills in leading change and influencing positive outcomes.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Gloria Coles Flint Public Library.

LOCATION, TRAVEL, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Gloria Coles Flint Public Library is located in Flint, MI and the Director of Development will be expected to be in the office or out in the field the majority of their time, with the possibility for working remotely approximately one day a week. Work hours for this role will be varied, including evening and weekend hours. The physical requirements for this role are customary to an office setting – seated or standing at a desk for extended periods of time, using standard office equipment and technology. Generally, they can expect a normal office environment with minimal discomfort due to extreme temperatures, dust, and noise; there may be some outdoor work. They can expect to have frequent interactions with staff and constituents of varied backgrounds.

Local travel will be a regular part of this role, and it is likely there will be out-of-county or out-of-state travel for meetings and conferences.

This will be a full-time, exempt (non-union) position. The hiring range for this position is between $78,254 – $87,801.

Benefits include:

• Health, Dental & Vision – library pays 80%, employee pays 20%, coverage available for full family
• Health Care Savings Plan employer contribution after 5 years of employment
• Defined benefit pension plan (MERS), 10-year vesting multiplier of 1.5%, 5-year highest salary avg
• Employee funded 457 Plan
• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Additional employee paid insurance provided through AFLAC
• Paid Vacation days range from 10 days per year to 20 days per year dependent upon seniority
• Paid Sick days 96 hours awarded annually
• Paid Personal days 16 hours awarded annually
• Paid Holidays 14 days plus 16 hours floating holidays

The Gloria Coles Flint Public Library is located in Flint, MI and the Director of Development will be expected to be in the office or out in the field the majority of their time, with the possibility for working remotely approximately one day a week. Work hours for this role will be varied, including evening and weekend hours. The physical requirements for this role are customary to an office setting – seated or standing at a desk for extended periods of time, using standard office equipment and technology. Generally, they can expect a normal office environment with minimal discomfort due to extreme temperatures, dust, and noise; there may be some outdoor work. They can expect to have frequent interactions with staff and constituents of varied backgrounds.

Local travel will be a regular part of this role, and it is likely there will be out-of-county or out-of-state travel for meetings and conferences.

This will be a full-time, exempt (non-union) position. The hiring range for this position is between $78,254 – $87,801.

Benefits include:

• Health, Dental & Vision – library pays 80%, employee pays 20%, coverage available for full family
• Health Care Savings Plan employer contribution after 5 years of employment
• Defined benefit pension plan (MERS), 10-year vesting multiplier of 1.5%, 5-year highest salary avg
• Employee funded 457 Plan
• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Additional employee paid insurance provided through AFLAC
• Paid Vacation days range from 10 days per year to 20 days per year dependent upon seniority
• Paid Sick days 96 hours awarded annually
• Paid Personal days 16 hours awarded annually
• Paid Holidays 14 days plus 16 hours floating holidays