Association of Rural and Small Libraries
2008 Annual Conference
Go West: Discover Gold @ Your Library
Successful Fundraising in a Rural Community
Presented by Linda Calandra, Development Officer Fresno County Library and
Terry Sterling, Community Libraries East Supervisor Fresno County Library
September 20 and 21, 2008
References:
Yardley, Robert R., CFRE. How to compete for the charitable dollar in a rural
environment. The Alford Group. Presented at AFP International Conference,
2007.
Regional Associations of Grantmakers. (2005). The power of rural philanthropy. A report
commissioned by New Ventures in Philanthropy, an initiative of the Forum of
Regional Associations of Grantmakers.
Resources:
Steele, Victoria and Elder, Stephen D. (2000). Becoming a fundraiser: The practice of
library development (2nd ed.). Chicago: American Library Association.
This resource will give you the tools you need to bring your development and
fundraising skills up to the level necessary to lead an effective campaign. Step
you step you’ll learn how to set meaningful goals, build a winning development
tea, develop donor profiles and prospects and approach major donors with
confidence and specificity.
Public Library Association. “Bringing in the Money.” Public Libraries.
A monthly column in Public Libraries which presents fund-raising strategies for
libraries. As librarians turn to alternative funding sources to supplement
shrinking budgets the articles provide guidelines for various funding options and
information on leveraging community support and building collaborative
strategies. Authors of the column are usually Stephanie Gerding or Lee Price.
Burk, Penelope. (2003). Donor centered fundraising. Cygnus Applied Research, Inc/
Burk & Associates LTD.
Working from research conducted over six years with hundreds of charities and
donors, this book paints a candid picture of why donors stop giving to charities
they once supported, and what it will take to preserve their ongoing loyalty in the
future. Penelope Burk explores the pitfalls of our traditional approaches to donor
communication and recognition, and articulates what donors want but seldom get
from the charities they support.
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Goldberg, Benjamin. (2005). Forming and funding public library foundations (2nd ed.).
Public Library Association.
This booklet covers the basics of forming a library foundation. The material
includes private vs. public foundations, choosing a board, articles of
incorporation, bylaws and more.
Corson-Finnerty, Adam and Blanchard, Laura. (1998). Fundraising and friend-raising on
the web. Chicago: American Library Association.
You know the basic law of fundraising—people give money to people, so where
does the Web fit in? The answer is “everywhere.” This book shows you how to
weave a Web strategy whether you’re a small library with a fledging Friends
group or already have a structure in place for major development campaigns.
Swan, James. (2002). Fundraising for libraries, 25 proven ways to get more money for
your library. New York: Neal-Schuman Publisher, Inc.
Provides information on fundraising in libraries, drawing from examples of the
hits and misses of actual campaigns and helps you to select the right technique
for your particular project. Mr. Swan details a wide range of fundraising
opportunities, including how to hire a professional fundraiser help if needed. Mr.
Swan has been the director of the Central Kansas Library System and
understands fundraising in rural communities.
Klein, Kim. (2007). Fundraising for social change (5th ed.). Chardon Press.
Since it was first published in 1988, Fundraising for Social Change has become
one of the most widely used books on fundraising in the country. Fundraising
practitioners and activists rely on it for hands-on, specific, and accessible
fundraising techniques including use of new technology in fundraising. This
essential resource contains new information on such timely topics as ethics,
working across cultural lines, and how to create opportunities for fundraising
more systematically and strategically.
The Foundation Center. (2007). Grants for libraries & information services. New York.
If you're seeking grants for public, academic, research, special, and school
libraries; for archives and information centers; for consumer information and
philanthropy information centers, this publication is designed for you. With 684
foundations represented, the Guide's easy-access indexes get you to the
information you need fast. A subject index helps you locate funders for your
specific project...a geographic index shows which grantmakers fund programs
in your state or country...and a recipient index allows you to track grants
awarded to organizations similar to your own.
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Gerding, Stephanie and MacKellar, Pam. (2006). Grants for libraries: A how-to-do-it
manual. New York: Neal Schuman Publisher, Inc.
A starred review in Library Journal and Booklist declared it "should be at the side
of every grant-writing librarian." “The authors of this book take the reader
through every phase of the grant-writing cycle, offering details, examples, and
relevant tools. Dividing the process into 10 steps, each covered in a separate
chapter, the book offers practical advice and easy-to-follow suggestions
appropriate for every type of library.” (Reviewed by Rochelle Glantz Copyright
© American Library Association)
Sherman Smith, Amy and Lehrer, Matthew D. (2000). Legacies for libraries:
A practical guide to planned giving. Chicago: American Library
Association.
This handy and authoritative reference on estate tax planning and charitable
giving offers the "how-to's" for librarians seeking to raise funds through planned
gifts. Smith and Lehrer provide insights into planned giving, directions for
maximizing gifts and how to recognize and build on the intent of your donors.
Pearson, Peter D. and Wilson, Stu. (2006). Libraries are from Venus, fund-raising is from
Mars – development at the public library. Library Administration and
Management, Winter, 19-37.
This article discusses the three models for library fundraising: the internal
development office, a separate foundation with one or more Friends groups and
the merged model.
Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose and Persuasion: A PLA Toolkit for Success
As competition for dollars continues to intensify, library staff and trustees must
learn to connect the library directly to what the community values most. Through
an effective, sustained advocacy effort, libraries can be positioned -- and remain
-- top-of-mind for the public and funders. Creating an advocacy plan for your
library is the first step.
Gardner Reed, Sally. (2001). Making the case for your library: A how-to-do-it manual for
librarians. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
This book demonstrates how librarians can help to thrive by developing
pervasive public relation materials which show not just showing what you are
doing, but why what you are doing matters—specific examples of how to tell your
story for the greatest impact.
Consultants:
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Library Strategies is a consulting group of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.
Their consultants are leaders in the library community and other highly-skilled
specialists. Peter Pearson, lead consultant, is known as the foremost expert on
library Friends and foundations and successful fundraising for libraries. Library
Strategies conducts feasibility studies and capital campaigns and offers
consulting services in grant writing, special events and annual campaigns, as
well as strategic and facilities planning.
Contact Library Strategies at 651/287-0060 or visit their website at:
www.thefriends.org
The Metropolitan Group is passionate about working with libraries to increase support
for them in communities across the country. They specialize in developing and
strengthening public awareness, involvement and public and private funding for
libraries of all sizes and types. They have extensive experience working with
public libraries; state libraries; local, statewide and national partnerships;
research libraries, archives and special collections; library associations; library
foundations; and advocacy coalitions that include libraries.
Contact Metropolitan Group at 503/223-3299 or visit their website at:
www.metgroup.com.
Useful Websites:
Bank of America Study of High Net-Worth Philanthropy Portraits of Donors
(http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/Research/portraits-donors-report-dec2007.pdf)
Council on Foundations (http://www.cof.org) The Council on Foundations offers
information on the philanthropic tradition in the United States, forming a
foundation, best practices, definitions on philanthropic and investment
terminology, and many other useful tools.
Friends of the Library USA (www.folusa.org) Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) is a
national nonprofit organization providing networking opportunities and
educational support for local Friends of Libraries groups, Trustees, and library
Foundations across the country.
The Foundation Center (www.fdncenter.org) The Foundation’s Center website offers a
number of services including a list of publications, calendar of trainings and links
to corporate, family, and community foundations.
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (www.givingforum.org) Housed
under the Knowledge Center button, The Rural Philanthropy Knowledge
Center contains practical information on how to start and manage a rural fund,
and other useful resources on how to grow philanthropy in rural areas.
GoodSearch/GoodShop (www.goodsearch.com)
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GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the
charities and schools designated by its users. You use GoodSearch exactly as
you would any other search engine, but for each search, a penny goes into your
account. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its
advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime! In 2007,
GoodSearch was expanded to include GoodShop, an online shopping mall of
world-class merchants dedicated to helping fund worthy causes across the
country. Each purchase made via the GoodShop mall results in a donation to the
user's designated charity – averaging approximately 3% of the sale, but going up
to 20% or even more.
Grantstation (www.grantstation.com) Grantstation is an interactive website that allows
member grantseekers to identify potential funding sources for their programs or
projects, and mentors them through the grantseeking process. Included on
GrantStation homepage (Track Depot) is a series of free access articles on
several fundraising topics including: Capital Campaigns: Everything You Need to
Know by Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE, a 13 part article on developing,
implementing, evaluating a success capital campaign and How Your Nonprofit
Can Use the Internet Strategically by Allan Pressel, CEO/founder of
CharityFinders, a 2 part article about online fundraising.
The Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT)
(www.grassrootsfundraising.org) This multiracial organization promotes the
connection between fundraising, social justice and movement-building. They
believe that how groups are funded is as important to achieving their goals as
how the money is spent, and that building community support is central to longterm social change. They provide analysis, training, and resources to strengthen
organizations, with an emphasis on those focused on social justice and based in
communities of color.
Jossey-Bass (www.josseybass.com) Jossey-Bass publishes books, periodicals, and
other media to inform and inspire those interested in developing themselves,
their organizations and their communities. Jossey-Bass’ publications feature the
work of some of the world’s best-known authors in leadership, business,
education, religion and spirituality, parenting, nonprofit, public health and health
administration, conflict resolution and relationships.
Library Grants (librarygrants.blogspot.com) The Library Grants Blog is maintained by
Stephanie Gerding, the coauthor of Grants for Libraries: A How to Do-It Manual.
The site lists grant options for libraries, giving basic information on the various
grants including links for complete descriptions and application details and
deadlines.
The Network for Good (www.networkforgood.org) The Network for Good accepts online donations for non-profit organizations. Since inception more than 450,000
donors have contributed more than $185 million dollars using the Network for
Good giving system and they have matched over 230,000 volunteers with
thousands of non-profits.
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Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities Programs
(www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/cf/brief_cp_grant.htm) USDA Community Facilities
Grant funds may be used to assist in the development of essential community
facilities, including public libraries. Funds can be used to construct, enlarge, or
improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and community and
public services. This can include the purchase of equipment required for a
facility's operation. A grant may be made in combination with other CF financial
assistance such as a direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contributions, or loans
and grants from other sources.
Rural Library Project (www.rurallibraryproject.org) This nonprofit organization is
committed to the establishment of new, small libraries in rural areas. They
collaborate with citizens, public library systems and governments in these areas
to raise funds for and build libraries in their towns. Director Dan White has been
working with rural communities (primarily in Georgia) since 1999. White has
developed a “kit” which provides guidelines on how to build a communities first
library and offers free advice on community organizing, raising funds and locating
equipment. Their most recent partnership was in Whitesburg GA which opened
in April 2008. Library Hotline; Volume XXXVII, No. 17 April 28, 2008 pg 1.
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