Contact:
Kathy Wisnefski,
(608) 266-6318
MADISON, Wis. – Madison Public Library Foundation has announced the hiring of Jennifer Collins as its new Executive Director.
Jenni currently serves as the Director of Development and External Relations for the Madison Children’s Museum. In that role, she provided leadership for the successful $10 million capital campaign to raise money for a new children’s museum in downtown Madison. She also handles a range of other duties as a member of the museum’s senior management team. She previously was responsible for development and marketing at the New York Hall of Science and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and has assisted nonprofit organizations in a number of other positions. Jenni was recently named the Outstanding Fundraising Professional for 2010 by the Greater Madison Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Madison Public Library Foundation raises funds to extend and improve the services and collections of the Madison Public Library system. Founded in 1993, the Foundation conducts annual spring and fall fundraising campaigns. In addition, it leads capital campaigns to help fund new and expanded library facilities, including the recently completed campaigns to raise $1.1 million for the new Sequoya Branch Library and $700,000 for the South Madison Branch Library. Next year the Foundation will begin a multi-year, multimillion dollar capital campaign to raise private funds to help support construction of a new Central Library in downtown Madison.
Madison Public Library Foundation Board President Rick Chandler said, “We are delighted that Jenni will be joining the Foundation as Executive Director. Her energy and experience will be extremely valuable as we embark on the fundraising campaign for a new Central Library.” Foundation board member Judy Plaenert Olson said, “Jenni has the perfect background to lead the Foundation as it continues to grow and expand its role in supporting Madison’s libraries.” “The city relies on public-private partnerships to support outstanding libraries in our community and to drive the important capital campaign for the Central Library,” Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said. “That is why I am so pleased that the Library Foundation has hired such a skilled and experienced fundraiser in Jenni Collins.”
Jenni is a native of Illinois and has a B.A. degree from the University of Illinois and an M.A. degree from Tufts University. She lives in Madison with her husband and two daughters. She will begin her work with Madison Public Library Foundation on December 6.
