Powerpoint presentation on Fundraising Resources and Ideas by LIS 2830 students Jilly-Ann Arthur, Megan Branning Alexis Davis, Erin Parkinson Emilee Waldo, Danielle Ward (Spring 2011).

2.  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

3.  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)

4.  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

5.  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)

6.  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)

7.  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)

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…”)

9.  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)

10.  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)

11.  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

12.  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…”)

13.  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

14.  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

15.  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

16.  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

17.  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

18.  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

19.  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

20. 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.

21. “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.