Development Director

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

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.

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, sponsor ships, 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.

• 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, sponsor ships, 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.

• 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 sponsor ships and in-kind contributions, and track proposals, deadlines, commitments, reports, and follow-up.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…