Fundraising allows libraries to increase

finances through individual, corporate,

and community resources

while

Building relationships with patrons and

the community by creating a presence

outside of the library walls

Must reach beyond library walls for support

Includes:

› Library Staff and Patrons

› Library and Board of Trustees

› Library and Friends of the Library

› Library and community funders (individual

business, commerce groups, individuals)

› Library and volunteers

(Alman 50)

Funds are acquired through

› Gifts/donations from individuals and

organizations (community)

› Organized fundraising events

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, community

organizations, or the library itself

› Local, State, and Federal Grants

Key to maintaining a community library

Creating “Elevator Speech[es]” allows

librarians and library staff to quickly share

information about events, programs, projects,

and developments occurring at the library

with patrons and community members

Short interactions help develop relationships

between the library and community

(Alman 50-1)

Focus on key programs and developments when discussing the library with community members

Highlight numbers, figures, dates, and times to promote programs and projects provided by or at the library

Be prepared to provide “business card information” (name, address, phone number, website)

(Alman 51)

Individual donors or estate donations

Major percentage of funding

Establishes relationship between patrons,

library, and community

Examples:

› In memoriam books/sections of the library

› Library donor levels or capital campaign

› Celebratory dedication of materials

› Estate donations/donations through one‟s will(Alman 57-8)

Have an individual fundraising plan› Keep to this plan and make sure donors understand

the parameters for donations

Use viral fundraising

Develop relationships with patrons and the community

Be involved and get others involved› Have a presence in the community – your

involvement will increase involvement in the library

Keep the library‟s mission central to all fundraising

(“5 Things…”)

Involve community groups in special fundraising events

› Share proceeds with another organization or group

› Invite community groups (Wolves Club, Rotary, DAR, etc.) to sponsor events or co-sponsor fundraising events for the library

Events may be (but are not limited to):

› Book sales, bake sales, luncheons, auctions, contests, theatre performances, restaurant nights, cookbook sales, raffles, etc.

(Alman 51-2; Friends of Libraries USA)

Establish the purpose of the event prior to developing the event› “Donors „don‟t want to see what they‟ve […] given

get squandered.‟” – Donna Bero, Executive Director of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library (Miller)

Connect with patrons throughout the event; let everyone know you are thankful for their attendance and donation

Maintain the library‟s mission with all events

Be creative

(Miller; “Fundraising …” 5-6)

Major Donors – individuals, corporations, or foundations who make a significant contribution to the library

Create a list of potential donors who have an interest in the betterment of the community and library

Develop a relationship with these donors through special events (luncheons, meet and greets, etc.) that highlight the importance of the library and the programs provided to the community

Encourage individual donations through using matching corporate donations › Involves both company and employee in the betterment of

the community

Grant – funding by one party (government, corporation, or foundation) to a non-profit organization, educational institution, or business/foundation

Grant Writing Basics:› Determine your need

› Suggest a solution, defended by statistics, research, and experiences

› Determine if the grant‟s goals meet your goals or help to achieve your goals

› Target your proposal to grants in your field

› Present your proposal through application or presentation

(“FAQ: Grants…”)

Follow specification for the grant

application exactly

Present a complete proposal that is neat, professional, and organized

Type proposals; single-space proposals

Present grant proposal in the order presented in the application and instructions

Include only requested information

Do not include additional documents unless requested

Remember :› Sign the grant proposal

› Make copies for your files

› Proposals are judged on content and need, not size of proposal

Federal funding provided to states and dispersed based on population

Supports:› Expansion of services

› Development of technology services and information services

› Provide a community system for libraries and development of state-wide inter-library loan programs

› Develop relationships with community organizations

› Expand library services to disadvantaged sub-groups

› Expand library services to rural and underserviced communities

Public Libraries

› Be an active community presence

› Be involved; get others involved

School Libraries

› Focus on the school community

› Sponsor book fairs, food for fines days, book

clubs, and encourage In Memoriam and

celebratory book donations

Special Libraries› Utilize established fundraising

practices

› Establish importance of library

within the corporation or institution

Academic Libraries› Utilize “Frontline Advocates” (staff interacting

with students, faculty, and staff) (“Frontline…”)

› Maintain importance of library in supporting the university and the students

› Develop a fundraising plan through the alumni office that encourages library donations

Develop relationships with staff, patrons

and the community

Be active and involved in the community

Maintain the library‟s mission in all

fundraising

Have a plan and stick to it

Be creative

General Fundraising Ideas:

› http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/Fundrai

sing

› http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/4fcelec.htm

› http://www.folusa.org/sharing/fundraising.php

› http://www.governorsfoundation.org/pdf/GBBF%20Fu

ndraising%20Ideas%20for%20Small%20Counties.pdf

Academic Libraries:

› http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advoc

acyuniversity/frontline_advocacy/frontline_academic/i

ndex.cfm

http://library.utah.gov/grants/other/resour

ces.html

http://nebraskaccess.ne.gov/grants.asp

› Check your state website for LSTA grants and

additional state and local grant opportunities

http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.

php/Fundraising

Alman, Susan Webreck. “Fundraising.” Crash Course in Marketing for Libraries. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2007. 49-58. Print.

“FAQ: Grants and Grant Proposal Writing.” Association of Fundraising Professionals. AFP. 2009. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

“Frontline Advocacy for Academic Libraries.” ALA Advocacy University. American Library Association. 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

“Fundraising.” Friends of Libraries U.S.A.American Library Association. 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

“Fundraising Ideas Manual for Small and

Medium Counties.” Governor’s Books from

Birth Foundation. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

Garecht, Joe. “5 Things You Need to Know

About Individual Fundraising.” The

Fundraising Authority. 2010. Web. 11 Mar.

2011.

Miller, Rebecca. “Recession or Not, Participants

at LJ‟s Directors‟ Summit Agreed, Now is

Always the Time to Fundraise.” Library

Journal. 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.