Executive Director
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Foundation
Topeka, KS
Background
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Foundation
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Foundation, founded in 1982, is a 501c3 nonprofit with a purpose to ensure the future of the library as an indispensable community resource. The Foundation accomplishes this by helping secure financial resources to support collections, programs, services, technology and physical facilities of the library. The Foundation pursues its purpose by seeking philanthropic support, providing conscientious stewardship of the assets in its care, encouraging appropriate community partnerships and advocating on behalf of the library’s mission in the community. Key recent Foundation-funded projects include a mobile library fleet – the Sherlock and Alice bookmobiles, an Adventuremobile and the Learn & Play Bus – that provide vehicle-based services to area children; significant Library building improvements; Claire’s Courtyard pavilion and amphitheater; and the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which offers every Shawnee County child the gift of a new age- and developmentally-appropriate book for each month of the first five years of life. Foundation assets exceeded $8 million at the end of 2019.
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, a 21st-century, landmark library which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2020, operates with a mission of sparking curiosity and connecting our community through literacy and learning. In 2016, Library Journal named the Topeka & Shawnee County Library the national Library of the Year, an honor that resonates for a lifetime, in recognition of its creativity, innovation, leadership and outstanding service to the community. The Library features the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, the Millennium Café and the Chandler Booktique bookstore and gift shop, in addition to nearly half a million books in its collection. TSCPL is a community hub, with more than 80,000 registered borrowers and 2,500 daily visitors. The Library is a key partner in sustaining the educational, economic and civic health of the community, inspiring learning and empowering people of all ages. Library resources include bookmobiles traveling county-wide six days per week, programming for children, youth, adults and seniors, reference and research tools, access to thousands of ebooks and other digital content, and a local history and genealogy resource center. It supports individuals and organizations providing meeting space for thousands of community and organization gatherings.
Position Summary
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Foundation is seeking an Executive Director. This seasoned development professional will lead the Foundation in its support of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. Reporting to the Library Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Director will work closely with the Library Foundation Board of Directors as well as the Library management team. This position supervises the Foundation’s Development Professional and volunteers.
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is headquartered in Topeka, KS and the Executive Director is expected to office there. Building and developing a strong network of supporters in the community is essential, and this position is expected to be a present and vocal advocate for Greater Topeka as well as the Library. The Executive Director position is funded by both the Library and the Foundation and will serve on the Library management team.
Responsibilities
Strategic and Management Responsibilities
- In conjunction with the Library Foundation Board of Directors, develop and execute the Foundation’s overall fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans, in support of Library services, programming and endowments.
- Establish and maintain a strategic plan and annual goals for the Library Foundation.
- Lead and manage the organization’s overall development efforts to raise sufficient funds each year to meet Foundation and Library goals and support of strategic priorities for growth and sustainability.
- Develop, increase and manage the fundraising capacity of Foundation.
- Act as a present and vocal advocate for the Greater Topeka community as well as the Library, through regular and consistent involvement in community promotions, activities and planning efforts.
- Supervise and direct the work of the Foundation’s Development Professional and volunteers.
- Train and support volunteer and staff team members regarding fundraising.
- Align Library Foundation strategy with Library strategy and priorities as a member of the Library management team.
Development Responsibilities
- Actively seek funding to enhance Library services, programming and endowments, and successfully develop resources sufficient to ensure the ongoing financial health of the Library.
- Administer the organization and planning of all functions related to Library fundraising programs, including the annual campaign, major gifts and planned giving.
- Initiate, participate in and support direct fundraising “asks.”
- Cultivate and nurture relationships with individual, corporate and foundation donors and sponsors.
- Develop and grow the Library Foundation individual donor base, including the annual giving campaign and the Wilder Society major giving program. (Library Foundation uses Razor’s Edge.)
- Expand the Library Foundation’s planned giving program and grow patron bequests.
- Identify and create grant proposals and reports to corporate, foundation and government funders.
- Work with volunteer committees to plan and host the annual Wilder (Major Gifts) Society tea each spring, and an event to celebrate the Library’s 150th anniversary in 2020.
- Build and expand the Library Foundation’s monthly and online giving programs.
- Initiate development programs and educational opportunities for the staff, community, Friends, Foundation and affiliated boards.
- Manage, in conjunction with the Foundation Board, the assets and investments of the Foundation in accordance with investment policy.
Professional Qualifications and Personal Characteristics
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required. Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred.
- 5+ years of demonstrated leadership success in non-profit fundraising and development, including cultivating and building relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and major giving programs. Grant writing experience and experience managing events is helpful.
- Experience leading a successful development program, particularly in major and planned gifts, and team of volunteers and staff is preferred. Fundraising campaign experience preferred.
- Knowledge of library programs and resources, and/or a love of community libraries and an interest in and willingness to learn about them.
- Comfort embodying the community-based mission of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, and a demonstrated ability to represent the organization and interface with a wide variety of individuals, including all levels of staff, board, volunteers, donors, potential donors and Library patrons.
- A motivated self-starter with strong organizational skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and a proven track record of getting things done.
Compensation
The projected compensation range for this individual will be competitive and in accordance with the background and experience of the selected candidate and includes a base salary and generous benefits package.
Non-Discrimination
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of TSCPL to provide fair and equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees, and to not discriminate based on any class protected by applicable laws.
Application Process
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Mary Ontko, The Moran Company, and complete the brief online application.
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Resume should include all relevant professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names.
Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position.
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, a 21st-century, landmark library which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2020, operates with a mission of sparking curiosity and connecting our community through literacy and learning. In 2016, Library Journal named the Topeka & Shawnee County Library the national Library of the Year, an honor that resonates for a lifetime, in recognition of its creativity, innovation, leadership and outstanding service to the community.