Library in the Forest Foundation executive director wants community to see so much more than books

Cinnamon McCulley has been a longtime fan of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, and now she is a key component in the enhancement of its success.

McCulley took over as executive director of the Library in the Forest Foundation in February, bringing more than 20 years of experience in marketing, event management and fundraising to the organization that financially supports the library. Prior to her hire, McCulley worked with library staff for two years as a freelance consultant on a variety of marketing projects and preparation of its annual reports.

“I have a marketing and graphic design consulting business and while working with them, got to know a lot of people and fell in love with the library itself,” McCulley said. “When I found out the previous foundation executive director was resigning, I felt it would be a perfect fit because I’d developed a passion for both the library and all it contributes to the community.”

A Mobile native and resident of Vestavia Hills for 14 years, McCulley attended the University of Montevallo. She and husband Kirk, a client manager for American Express, have two sons, Walker, age 12, and Whitten, age 10.

In addition to her consulting business, McCulley served as assistant vice president of marketing for HealthSouth Corporation for 14 years, responsible for managing all facets of marketing and advertising including sponsorship opportunities, nonprofit fundraising partnerships and corporate events.

It is this type of vast experience that made McCulley an easy choice for the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest Foundation executive director job, said Mindy Bodenhamer, the organization’s president.

“Our goal as we hired our next executive director was finding a qualified partner who was ready to build on the successes of the Library Foundation’s past and to advance the dreams for our Library in the Forest,” said Bodenhamer. “Cinnamon comes to us as a complete package, well connected to our community, our library and our vision for what’s ahead. Already a community leader, Cinnamon provides key leadership to our library foundation board as we embrace our role as the library’s dream-maker.”

McCulley’s responsibilities as foundation executive director include leading fundraising efforts, cultivating donors, building relationships and recruiting volunteers.

“I’ll also be working with the foundation board to determine goals and objectives and help get us moving in that direction,” she said.  “I want our foundation to be very proactive and participate in community events, the chamber of commerce, city council and otherwise work hard to get in front of the community to let them know what the library has to offer.”

While it’s not all work and no play for McCulley, most would be surprised at her pet hobby: “building things,” including a wall in the family’s den and a new set of stairs to replace those she ripped out.

“We live in a home built in the ’70s and it needs work, which is lucky for me,” she said. “One year my husband gave me a sliding compound miter saw for a combined Mother’s Day/birthday gift, and one of my most exciting days was when I purchased my nail gun.”

Based in her garage work area, McCulley has crafted a deck for the family storage shed and cabinets and bookshelves to flank the fireplace.

Kirk McCulley, who assists his wife in the projects, described himself as “the labor” to his wife’s “management.”

“It’s a great way to spend time together, plus we’ve saved thousands of dollars over the years by doing home construction on our own,” he said. “When it comes to home improvement, she’s the expert and a 10 out of 10.”

McCulley’s building expertise derives from working alongside her father on a seven-year project — building the family a new house.

“I started working with him when I was nine, and over the next six years he taught me everything from creating building plans to masonry to wiring,” she said. “I think he may have really wanted a son.”

Back at her regular job, McCulley said she’s set her long-term goal as “proactively cultivating donors that graciously contribute on a consistent basis,” affording the foundation the ability to offer immediate financial support to projects, rather than being reactive and securing donations on a case-by-case basis.

“It will take a number of years to build up to, but I’d like to attain and sustain us near the $1 million mark in order to earn interest on a strong endowment and be very proactive in response to community needs and requests of our library,” she said.  “It’s really important to me that our community takes full advantage of the fact that we offer much, much more than books.”