Director of Philanthropy and Planned Giving

Director of Philanthropy and Planned Giving

The Seattle Public Library Foundation – Seattle, WA

Full-time | Exempt | Salary: $100,000–$135,000

Do you love working with high-capacity donors and consider yourself a planned giving professional? Do you believe in the power of libraries to transform lives? If you're a strategic thinker who thrives on connecting people to purpose, we'd love to meet you!

ABOUT US

The Seattle Public Library Foundation (SPLF) is recognized nationally as one of the leading public library foundations in the country. Serving as the nonprofit partner to The Seattle Public Library, the Foundation's mission is to inspire philanthropic support, advocacy, and pride in library programs and services that benefit everyone in our community.

Since its founding in 1980, SPLF has generated more than $258 million in grants and endowments to help the Library expand its collections, offer innovative programs for people of all ages, and upgrade neighborhood libraries. Our team works with more than 8,500 loyal and active donors, with a 65% donor retention rate and raising $5-8 million annually. This critical funding supports over 50 equity-based programs valued at over $5.8 million and helps add more than 100,000 print and digital materials to the collection each year, equaling about a third of the books purchased by the Library.

The Foundation supports the Seattle Public Library's goals to develop all forms of literacy; enrich the community with access to books, cultural programs, and author events at safe and welcoming spaces; and empower our neighbors to achieve their life, career, and civic goals through classes, workshops, and educational programs. To learn more about The Seattle Public Library Foundation, please visit: supportspl.org.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

The Foundation's culture is rooted in a deep love and appreciation for the Library. While the library's purpose provides the inspiration, we know that a successful and well-run organization must be people centered. We offer team members the chance to grow professionally, are deeply collaborative, and value work/life balance. We create an environment where diverse voices and perspectives are valued, and everyone can make a difference. Our collaborative and high-performing team of nine staff members works in close coordination with Library staff and leadership, demonstrating a clear commitment to trust-based philanthropy.

The Director of Philanthropy and Planned Giving reports to Janelle Blakely, Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO). Janelle started as the first-ever CPO in February 2026 after serving as Chief Advancement Officer at Rainier Scholars where she successfully grew the Advancement team and revenue program to meet the growing needs of the community and organization. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience, Janelle loves fundraising and strategic communications, enjoys managing people, and leads with an excellence + fun! approach.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

As Director of Philanthropy and Planned Giving, you will lead efforts to inspire transformational giving and help shape the Foundation's long-term philanthropic growth, with a focus on major gifts strategy and legacy philanthropy. You will manage a portfolio of 100–150 donors, concentrating on gifts of $3,000+, and guide outreach to foundations and corporate partners to ensure fundraising is strategic, personal, and impactful.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, you will be a strategic partner in advancing the Foundation's fundraising vision. You will expand major and planned giving programs, steward the Legacy Society, and build a robust major-donor pipeline to help increase giving to the Library 50% by 2030. This position combines donor engagement, program development, and cross-organizational collaboration to grow philanthropy and endowment support.

You will spend your days:

• Building meaningful relationships with donors who love libraries.
• Crafting compelling proposals and stewardship reports that show donors the impact of their giving.
• Supporting and growing our major giving program and Legacy Society-helping donors leave a lasting legacy through estate gifts.
• Collaborating with Library staff to identify exciting funding opportunities.
• Coaching board members and staff to become confident fundraising ambassadors.
• Leading high-touch, low-volume direct mail campaigns that inspire generosity.

You will also partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to oversee grant and corporate giving strategies, collaborate with communications to create materials that inspire generosity, and work with the database team to track trends, identify prospecting opportunities, and support the team in advancing major gift movements.

WHAT YOU BRING

• A bachelor's degree (master's preferred) or related experience in the philanthropy sector that would demonstrate necessary skills.
• 7+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including significant experience in planned giving and major gifts leadership.
• Demonstrated success securing estate gifts, endowment commitments, and transformational philanthropy.
• Ability to engage high-capacity donors, advisors, and families in complex philanthropic conversations.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to partner with and influence senior stakeholders and board members.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills-written, verbal, and interpersonal.
• Experience with fundraising databases and analytics to inform strategy (Raiser's Edge preferred).
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Passion for libraries, access to knowledge, and community impact.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING HERE

We offer:

• Outstanding benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 100% employer paid.
• 401(k) with matching incentives up to 6%.
• Team bonuses available based on Board-approved discretion.
• Health savings account with generous employer contribution.
• PTO: Start with 15 paid days off, 12 paid holidays, floating holiday, 12 days paid sick leave.
• Cell phone stipend.
• Regional ORCA pass.
• Flexible, hybrid work environment based at the Central Library.
• A mission that matters: You will help ensure that everyone in Seattle has access to library resources, programs, and opportunities that our neighbors love.

Competitive salary and generous benefits including class-leading paid time off, outstanding employer-paid medical coverage with health savings account contribution, dental, vision, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution and employee match, disability insurance, life insurance, an employee assistance program, fully paid ORCA pass, casual work environment, and a flexible work schedule.