Posts by Kim Horton
Ten Ways Consultants Can Help You
Sometimes it really does take money to make money. You may not need a professional’s advice for a book sale, annual fund, or a small fundraising project, but some kinds of fundraising activities can benefit from professional assistance. Capital campaigns, for example, can be very difficult to complete successfully without this expertise. How do you…
Read MoreSecuring Sponsorship for your Library Program
Business sponsorship of library activities is an example of innovation that is on the rise. It is attractive because it creates (or builds on) relationships for a win-win situation for both the library and the business. Here’s how: The library is one of our society’s most beloved and valued institutions, and a business that sponsors…
Read MoreWriting an Effective Solicitation Letter
The solicitation letter may be one of the oldest fundraising strategies out there, and although it is true that there are many other, more modern efforts, the solicitation letter is still around for one major reason: it works. We decided to outline a few tips and tricks to make your next solicitation letter more effective.…
Read More10 Ways for Friends and Foundations to Work Together
Many libraries wonder if they need both a Friends and a Foundation, and admittedly the answer differs for each individual library. We sometimes recommend creating both organizations and we have also recommended merging the two. There is no right answer for everyone. But if you do have both, here are some simple tips to helping…
Read MoreIs a Membership Program Right for You?
Many libraries and fundraising organizations are faced with this question, and the answer isn’t easy, especially if you are also conducting an annual fund or other kind of campaign. Why run a membership program when you have nothing really tangible to offer? Read these pros and cons to help you decide. Pros Your donors…
Read MoreHow to Ask for Major Gifts
For many of us, asking someone for a large donation can be intimidating, or perhaps even terrifying. It shouldn’t be, if you think about it. Asking a potential donor to give a gift to the Library is simply sharing an opportunity. It is an invitation to be part of something exciting. An opportunity to change…
Read MoreLibrary Foundations Raise Money for Libraries… Right?
Everywhere you turn in the world of libraries, you hear people talking about the need for private fundraising. Many feel that the answer to this challenge lies in the creation of a Library Foundation. But how does a library foundation differ from a Friends group? Foundations are unique in that they are typically staffed by…
Read MoreSecuring Authors to Headline Your Fundraiser or Special Event
In the library world, successful fundraisers often include keynote appearances by popular authors. Involving writers is a great way to stoke interest in your special events. However, as anyone assigned to book the guest(s) of honor can attest, sourcing headlining authors for such events is easier said than done. If you are looking to bring…
Read MoreThree BIG Fundraising Words
Securing donations for your library or support organization is not always easy, and for some, it’s not always fun. There are plenty of ways in which successful fundraising is conducted, but ultimately it boils down to just three big words: interest, ability, and opportunity. INTEREST People give to organizations and charities in which they have…
Read MoreWhy Can’t We All Just Get Along
Public libraries are among the few institutions that have not one, but two different organizations to help support them: Friends of Libraries and library foundations. It would seem that these two organizations would work together in harmony, but all too often that’s not the case. Friends groups typically serve libraries with volunteer activities, programming, membership,…
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