The library directors summarize tips and tricks for fundraising during a pandemic based on their experience fundraising for a library expansion project. Some key points include leveraging local supporters like a community foundation and businesses for large donations, writing grants and customizing each application, maintaining relationships with funders, showing gratitude, and keeping promotional materials and communications simple and focused on the donor. Despite challenges like flooding and the pandemic that halted in-person events, they were able to successfully raise funds through grants, donations, and community support for their project.

1. Tips and Tricks for Fundraising
During a Pandemic
Laura England-Biggs, Library Director &
Linda McClain, Library Board President
Keene Memorial Library, Fremont NE
NCompass Live
December 7, 2022

2. Keene Memorial Library
Expansion Project Background
• 1980’s – Local philanthropist Hazel Keene leaves funds to allow for
expansion, complete with sunset provision in 2021
• 2004 – Library Director Ann Stephens commissions first of three space
needs studies
• 2017 – Third space needs study goes to City Council; $2 million bond
campaign approved
• 2018 – Voters approve bond referendum by 67%

3. The fundraising journey begins!
• The 2018 Bond vote was seen as a mandate from the voters
• Community leaders were tapped to lead a fundraising committee
• Those leaders worked side-by-side with Director to set up donor cultivation
events hosted at the library as well as personal residences
• The Friends up separate Expansion Fund at Fremont Area Community
Foundation
• Hired a professional fundraiser to assist with the process

4. And then…
• Historic flooding in 2019
• Covid Pandemic in 2020
• Subsequent resignations of Capital Campaign chair, Library Director

5. 2.0
• April 28, 2021 fundraising dinner at Fremont Golf Club
• Sponsored by two members of the Steering Committee
• Invited over 60 individuals – attendance was about 40 due to lingering Covid concerns
• Netted donations from multiple attendees in excess of any costs

6. Making the Tough Calls
• Made the decision to discontinue relationship
with professional fundraiser in July 2021
• Took digital possession of the materials created
during their contract period
• Began the hard work on our own

7. Telling Our Story
• Social Media Posts for project highlights, updates
• Started an Expansion Project Blog
• Created a Fundraising Video
• Big Give Video
• Utilize local media contacts often

8. Show me the money!
• Library Director and Library Board President are
the fundraising/grant writing “committee”
• Together we’ve written over 20 grants –
15 of which have been successful
• But it hasn’t always been easy!

9. Getting Started
• Know your deadlines!
• Get prequalified if necessary (letter of intent)
• Know who can apply – public entity (library/city) versus 501(c)3
• Make the right ask as far as the number
• Is there a match required? – Leverage that match
• Secure local support first

10. Leveraging Local Supporters
• FACF first donor in for $100,000 which laid the groundwork for future asks

11. Leveraging Local Supporters
• Wholestone Farms - local business support for $500,000 (Computer Lab
Sponsor)

12. Leveraging Local Supporters
• Summer Reading Program challenge/sponsorship
• Local banks and charitable donations
• Service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Cosmopolitan)
• Commemorative brick campaign
• Utilize Social Media and tags

13. Getting Your Foot in the Door
• It’s important to make your application easy to read – and in your voice
• Use a standard font
• Use paragraph breaks to your advantage
• Write for 8th grade or lower
• Keep working relationships, building relationships
• Maintain contact, be persistent (not pushy)
• Send updates regularly

14. Staying on Their Radar
• Timing is important
• Urgency gets their attention
• Making connections with their interests (research your funders and their key
areas of impact)
• Websites
• News articles
• Foundation Resource Directory from NebraskaChildren.org

15. Making Connections
• Contrary to popular belief, longer messages work better
• Longer doesn’t mean flowery unnecessary ramblings
• “Libraries as an institutional hub and pillar of society”

16. Getting It Right
• Grammar and punctuation definitely count!
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!
• Make sure the numbers add up and are consistent
• Answer all the questions
• If you can’t, tell them why

17. Know the Funder’s Preferences
• Make it about the donor, not about you
• Give them a clear call to action and repeat it throughout your message
• Tell them what their donation can do
• Naming Opportunities – know who likes public recognition, who doesn’t
• Some you still need to acknowledge but not disclose amounts

18. Show Your Gratitude
• You can’t say thank you enough
• Letters upon receipt of donation
• Holiday cards
• In-person follow-up
• Recognition at events

19. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Invitation to April 28

20. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Case Study

21. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Case Study

22. Keep It Simple
• Original Letter of Intent New Donor Commitment Form

23. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Groundbreaking

24. Useful Reading
• The Fundraiser’s Guide to Irresistible Communications: Real-World Field-
Tested Strategies for Raising More Money by Jeff Brooks (9781889102023)
($33.95 on Amazon)

25. Questions?
• Laura England-Biggs, laura.biggs@fremontne.gov,
402-727-2694 or 402-459-2073