Fundraising Strategies in US
Public Libraries
Susan Schnuer
Associate Director, Mortenson Center
schnuer@illinois.edu
Advocating with local officials
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Understanding local priorities
Establishing a relationship
Being clear and to the point
Not using library terms
Tampa Bay Libraries Consortium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylvar/287942520/
Darien Library Friends Annual Meeting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darienlibrary/2956067225/
Advocating with local officials
• Presenting benefits to local government
• Supporting the work of local government
Fundraising from
Individuals and Businesses
• identify, educate, solicit and communicate
with individuals and businesses that are
interested in your library
• Long-term strategy
• Use mail, phone calls, or visits to solicit funds
• Library-wide effort led by an office or library
foundation
Fundraising from
Individuals and Businesses
• Funds may be used for different purposes
• Has the potential to bring in large sums of
money
• Can take several years before you see the
results of your efforts
• Our tax laws encourage donations
• Be choosy about individuals and businesses
from whom you solicit funding
Grant-writing
• Product is a proposal
• Written by an individual or
small group
• Proposals should request
funds for services,
products, or facilities not
currently available in the
library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kool_skatkat/431209056/
Grant-writing
• Proposal sent to foundations and corporations
• Funding is for a limited time
• Funds are restricted
Volunteers at Newton Free
Library’s monthly project lunch
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newtonfreelibrary/2247164584/