Library and city align to pursue fundraising consultant for community center campaign

City leaders and library representatives briefed the Port Orchard council about coordinated fundraising plans for the proposed community center during the March 17 work study, and staff said they will seek council direction to issue an RFP for a fundraising consultant.

Jason Rymer, executive director of the Kitsap Regional Library, told council that the library is pursuing state grant funds for its portion of the center and that the library’s foundation is pursuing a roughly $5 million capital campaign; total project estimates discussed were near $7 million. "For us what's really important is donor intent and transparency," Rymer said, urging clear donor communication so gifts are directed to intended uses.

Council members and staff discussed whether the city should hire a professional fundraising consultant to manage a capital campaign and how to coordinate efforts so the library and any city fundraising do not solicit the same donors. Rymer said consultants typically charge hourly and that a conservative fundraising return is often about $1 raised for every $0.10 invested in consultant costs, noting consultant work will itself require an upfront investment.

Council members signaled support for issuing an RFP to solicit proposals and return any contract recommendations to council for approval. Staff said they would draft scope and evaluate proposals with library and community foundation input.

No formal commitment of city funds was recorded at the work study; any consultant contract would require council approval.