Job Title
Development Specialist (Part-Time, Contract)
Library, Archives & Public Records (LAPR) – Arizona Talking Book Library
Agency:Â Arizona Secretary of State (AZSOS)
Location:Â Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid | Local Candidates Only)
Position Overview
The Arizona Talking Book Library is seeking an experienced and dynamic Development Specialist to support its mission: “That All May Read.” This role serves as the library’s chief fundraising professional, responsible for growing philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporations across Arizona.
The Arizona Talking Book Library provides free library services statewide to individuals who are unable to read standard print due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. The Development Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring sustainable financial support for these essential services.
This is a part-time, hourly, staff augmentation contract position anticipated to begin May 11, 2026, and conclude November 30, 2026.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, manage, and execute a comprehensive fundraising program to increase charitable giving from foundations, corporations, and individual donors
- Conduct thorough prospect research to identify and qualify new donor opportunities
- Identify and research local, state, and national foundations aligned with accessibility, literacy, and library services
- Build and maintain a donor database to track relationships, giving history, stewardship, and outcomes
- Monitor fundraising performance, analyze results, and adjust strategies as needed
- Prepare regular reports on prospect management, fundraising progress, and portfolio performance
- Collaborate with library leadership through regularly scheduled meetings to evaluate fundraising strategies and outcomes
- Develop and implement donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including one-on-one meetings, small events, library tours, and donor recognition initiatives
- Serve as Library Liaison and advisor to the Arizona Friends of Talking Books, a nonprofit partner organization
- Attend Arizona Friends of Talking Books board meetings and collaborate with board members to maximize fundraising potential
- Ensure consistent fundraising messaging and branding aligned with the mission of the library and AZSOS
- Create donor correspondence, proposals, grant applications, stewardship updates, and impact communications
- Develop annual donor reports, impact stories, and fundraising marketing materials
Required Knowledge
- Effective fundraising strategies and donor cultivation best practices
- Accounting and recordkeeping practices related to fundraising
- Estate planning and tax laws related to charitable giving
Required Skills
- Strong community connections and relationship-building abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Proficiency in donor management databases and tracking systems
Required Abilities
- Ability to cultivate and maintain donor relationships across all regions of Arizona
- Ability to align donor interests and passions with organizational needs
- Ability to research and write compelling grant proposals
- Ability to steward foundation relationships for annual and multi-year funding
- Ability to manage a portfolio of high-net-worth donors
- Ability to articulate organizational value and impact to prospective donors
- Ability to track, analyze, and report fundraising activity
Preferred Qualifications
- Fundraising Professional Certification (CFRE/FPCC) preferred but not required
- Experience conducting successful fundraising campaigns in Arizona
Position Details
- Position Type:Â Staff Augmentation (Contract)
- Hours:Â 10 hours per week
- Schedule: Flexible during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM)
- Work Arrangement:Â Mostly remote; in-office presence required as needed
- Shift:Â Day
- Pay Type:Â Hourly
- Department:Â Library, Archives and Public Records (LAPR)
- Location:Â 1030 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Additional Requirements
- Local candidates only at time of submission
- Candidates must be able to attend in-person interviews within one week of posting close date
- Must be able to start within two weeks of offer
- Background check required (HireRight Global ID)
- Tentative start date dependent upon successful interviews, onboarding completion, and issuance of a state purchase order