52 Fresh Blog Ideas for a Full Year of Content

The idea of starting a blog can be intimidating. Some people fear that writing just takes too much time, that there’s no guarantee that anyone will even read the posts, and that coming up with new ideas on a regular basis is a job in and of itself. It doesn’t have to be this hard.…

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10 Quick Tips for Energizing Your Annual Campaign

The annual fall campaign remains the cornerstone on which strong fundraising efforts are built. Yet, sending out more or less the same direct mail letter year after year can get stale. Here are 10 ideas for ways to put some new life into your annual fund campaign this fall: 1. Secure a matching gift for…

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The Next Wave of Corporate Support

Corporations and businesses can be great supporters and contributors to your Library and fundraising efforts. Today, corporate giving is taking on some new directions and fundraisers are shifting the approach to businesses. Traditionally, many larger corporations have foundations with active philanthropic giving, often with specified areas of focus targeted at community needs. More local businesses…

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Facets of Diversity: Inclusion as an Asset

Diversity is a major issue today for our country, communities and, of course our libraries.  As our service areas are changing and growing, inclusion of individuals from our various communities within our communities is vitally important.  Diversity should focus on race and ethnicity, but age, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, disability, experience, background & expertise,…

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5 Simple Ways to Connect Your Boards

Most libraries have multiple boards. To be sure, the governing or funding boards are the most important as they determine the operations and future of the library, but support boards, such as the Friends and Foundation boards, can play a vital for the library as well. It is important to have clear roles and responsibilities…

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An IDEA for Building Board Diversity

For today’s libraries, addressing diversity and inclusion is more important than ever.  Representation of the cross-section of our communities is important throughout our organizations, including our library, foundation, and Friends boards.  An I.D.E.A. process to build board diversity includes Identifying/Informing, Developing, Energize/Empowering, and Activating steps. Step 1 – Identify diversity and inform your board and…

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3 Keys to a Developed Board

All library affiliated boards need to grow and develop on an annual basis. As individual members and as a group, they need regular training, review of policies and responsibilities, and additional perspectives for future planning and directions. Three keys can help you develop your board on a regular basis. Key 1: Board Orientation – Certainly…

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Boards are People, Too

Too often we think of our boards – Library, Friends, Foundation, and others – as units that operate as a whole. Yet we all know that boards are made up of diverse individuals with unique perspectives, talents, and interests. It is worthwhile to think often about the “people-side” of our boards, and nurture the needs…

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10 Quick Tips for Growing Your Friends & Foundation

1. Diversify activities beyond book sales, into such area as special events, advocacy, PR, etc. 2. Get social – hold “friend-raising” events for different targeted age groups (i.e., the local brewpub) 3. Activate professional development training for your board 4. Increase the “ask” and expectations of your Friends and foundation 5. Move beyond the Library…

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10 Tips for a Great Annual Fund

There is one type of fundraising that virtually every Friends or Library Foundation should be doing: it’s called the Annual Fund and it is truly the cornerstone of all fundraising activities. The concept is simple. The Annual Fund is a letter writing appeal to your members and donors (individuals; not corporations) requesting a contribution to…

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