The Hell Raiser's Blog: Looking for a job? KCLS is hiring

For King County fund development folks looking for a job... King County Library System Foundation is hiring. Here's more info forwarded to a friend who forwarded it to me:

Dear Friends,

The New Year is upon us and the King County Library System Foundation is hiring two new team members to join our fun, dynamic, and successful team.  

The roles of Grant Writer and Corporate & Foundation Relations Specialist are somewhat similar in that both require strong organizational skills and the ability to write in a compelling and persuasive manner. The Grant Writer will have a more narrow focus, work directly with the Library programs staff to define new programs, and be responsible for identifying and securing six-figure gifts from national organizations and institutions. Whereas the Corporate & Foundation Relations will have an opportunity to work directly with the Foundation’s Board on event sponsorships and in securing support from family foundations. We elected to post both positions at the same time with the idea that successful candidates may be invited to consider either role. So, please spread the word!

In a nutshell, we want someone who:

o   Is a strong and compelling writer

o   Enjoys working with a high-performing team

o   Can work independently and stay on task

o   Has a sense of humor and is fun to be around

o   Loves the library

SPOILER ALERT: the salary range for these jobs is identical. Both start in the mid-$50k’s. Details regarding salary and benefits are included in the postings.

Please help us spread the word and let me know if you know of anyone who decides to apply.

Warm regards,

Cindy Sharek

Director of Major Gifts

King County Library System Foundation

425-369-3225 (work)

425-765-9959 (mobile)

Hell-Raiser's Blog: The Reject-Gift Drive - A Winning Fundraiser

Grandma, back when my Christmas gifts to her were
Woolworth's hankies that my mother would buy

"Oh my, this is lovely. Oh! I didn't expect this," says my 92-year-old grandmother in her quivery voice, as she unwraps the sweater I am giving her for Christmas. "Because usually you get me such crap," she explains.

All the sweaters I have given her were lovely, in my opinion. But sometimes one person’s lovely sweater is another person’s crap, which brings me to the topic of this post - the reject-gift drive.

Here’s how the reject-gift drive works: 

Nonprofits invite their supporters to donate unwanted gifts for use in upcoming raffles and/or fundraiser-auctions, where the gift-donations will find homes with people who appreciate their value.

Some of the reject gifts that have been donated to nonprofits with which I have worked: 

• Complete box set of hardcover Harry Potter books
• Crystal glassware
• Day at a spa
• Furniture

The reject-gift drive can be an easy way to raise money. One group I worked with, a small community center, made a last-minute decision to incorporate a small silent auction into their small annual open house (the next day), attended by 50 people, tops. They generated $1000 - and with almost no work*.

    

*Here's what they did: they put a tablecloth on a folding table, made a dozen bid sheets, and put their auction items out.