Fundraising
Is 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 MoreUsing Data to Tell Your Story
If your library is using or investigating Orangeboy, Analytics on Demand, or one of the other data mining services entering the industry, you know that data-based decisions are here to stay. If it was ever true, funders, whether they be individuals, foundations or politicians, will no longer give their funds without expecting concrete examples of…
Read More10 Great Ways to Thank and Nurture Your Donors
With year-end fundraising wrapped up, it’s time to thank your donors for supporting your library, Friends, and foundation. Although December may be your busiest fundraising month, these ten tips for recognizing your donors should be followed throughout the year. Properly thanking and honoring donors is a crucial step in fundraising. It helps strengthen relationships with…
Read MoreSecrets to Board Recruitment
What’s the key to being able to recruit the best possible Board of Directors? More than likely, it comes down to two factors: 1) an excellent nominating committee, and 2) a new Board member orientation process. The nominating committee should be considered the most important committee of any nonprofit organization. This is the committee on…
Read More7 Habits of Highly Effective Campaign Chairs
No matter how compelling your mission or case statement, the success or failure of a capital campaign largely rests with the effectiveness of your campaign leadership. A campaign chair or chairs, with a small Steering Committee, will become your champions in the community, communicating your vision and encouraging major donors to join in as partners…
Read MorePlanning: The Key to Capacity Building
Often we talk about building capacity, but what exactly does that mean? At Library Strategies, we look at capacity building as creating skills, tools, resources, and structures that allow your library, Friends, or foundation to do more and provide better service. Under this definition, areas such as fundraising and development, PR and marketing, and board…
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