Foundation Director

HOURS & SALARY: Full-time, 38 hours per week, with a hiring range of $74,523 - $93,153 per year depending on experience.

 Working at Laramie County Library System means being part of an award-winning organization that sets the bar for library service both regionally and nationally. Named Library Journal’s 2008 Library of the Year, Laramie County Library System is driven by a clear mission: Ignite curiosity. Fuel imagination. Connect community. Serving nearly 385,000 visitors each year across a 103,000 sq. ft. central library, two branch libraries, and a bookmobile, the Library plays a vital role in fostering learning, creativity, and meaningful community connection throughout Laramie County.

JOB SUMMARY

The Foundation Director leads all aspects of the Laramie County Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that advances the mission and vision of the Laramie County Library System. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for fundraising, donor engagement, board relations, and foundation administration. Working closely with the Executive Director and Foundation Board of Directors, the Foundation Director is responsible for securing significant philanthropic support and ensuring the long-term financial health and growth of the Foundation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Fundraising and Development

1. Leads and implements a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes major gifts, planned giving, annual campaigns, grants, sponsorships, endowments, and special events.
2. Establishes and implements large-scale capital campaigns, including campaign planning, donor strategy, solicitation efforts, and execution.
3. Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors.
4. Researches, prepares, and submits grant proposals and ensures compliance with reporting and funding requirements.
5. Plans and executes special fundraising events, including coordinating logistics, volunteers, and promotion.
6. Evaluates fundraising initiatives and events for effectiveness and return on investment.
7. Builds understanding and support for the Foundation through networking, outreach, and partnership development aligned with the Library System’s mission.

 Donor Relations and Community Engagement

1. Serves as the primary representative of the Foundation within the community and across the state.
2. Maintains proactive relationships with key individual and institutional donors before and after gifts are committed to ensure consistent stewardship and long-term engagement.
3. Ensures accurate donor records, acknowledgments, and stewardship practices are maintained.

Board and Foundation Administration

1. Supports and manages the Foundation Board of Directors by coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, and supporting board development and recruitment.
2. Identifies, recruits, and supports prospective Foundation Board members whose skills and networks advance fundraising and strategic goals.
3. Oversees, in collaboration with the Director of Business & Administration, the Foundation budget, financial controls, and expenditures.
4. Ensures compliance with applicable financial, legal, and regulatory requirements.
5. Partners with investment advisors, Foundation Board committees, and Library System leadership to monitor investments and provide informed recommendations.
6. Ensures the Foundation Board receives clear investment reports and access to training necessary to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities.
7. Coordinates Foundation communications and marketing materials in alignment with system guidelines and branding.

Strategic Leadership

1. Collaborates with the Executive Director and Foundation Board to develop and implement a comprehensive development plan supporting short- and long-term system needs.
2. Provides recommendations regarding Foundation investments in coordination with the Investment/Finance Committee and key system leaders.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least two years of professional experience in fundraising, development, grants, donor engagement, nonprofit administration, special events, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to be bonded.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated leadership experience in nonprofit or foundation management.
• Proven success in fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Experience working with and supporting a volunteer board of directors.
• Knowledge of nonprofit financial, legal, and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with donor management systems and standard office software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

 SELECTION PROCESS 

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by completing an Application for Employment (available at https://lclsonline.org/careers) and submitting a cover letter and resume. This position is open until filled. The hiring committee will contact applicants who are selected for further testing or interviews. As a courtesy, we notify all applicants via email when a position is filled.

WORK SCHEDULE 

Work schedule will predominantly be normal business hours Monday through Friday but may consist of weekend and evening hours as well. Anyone who works for the library must be willing to work anytime the library is open. Laramie County Library (Cheyenne) open hours are Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All employees are scheduled to attend monthly staff meetings and in-service days in Cheyenne. 

BENEFITS

• LCLS pays 100% of employee contributions to the Wyoming Retirement System, a lifetime pension plan
• LCLS pays 85% of medical and dental premiums and provides $25,000 in employer-paid life insurance
• We provide 13 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and one personal day each year
• Vacation for this position starts at four weeks annually and increases with years of service
• Deferred compensation (457), vision coverage, prepaid legal services, and other voluntary benefits
• Access to the Cheyenne-Laramie County Employees Federal Credit Union

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work primarily in an office setting. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer monitor and operating a keyboard. Requires sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate a computer, office, and library equipment.

 QUESTIONS 

For questions about this position, contact Antonia Gaona, Executive Director at [email protected] or 307.773.7222. 

LCLS is an equal opportunity employer. We support and adhere to the tenets of the Americans with Disabilities Act. LCLS is an at-will employer. LCLS provides a drug-free workplace for its employees in accordance with the requirements of the US Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. Hiring is contingent on a post-offer criminal history background check. LCLS participates in E-Verify.