Summary of a 2009 BC Library Conference session dedicated to exploring what BC public libraries are doing to fundraise, and how library trustees are helping

Isakov, Andre

English

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F18: Trustee Fundraising Dialogue 
  
Role of Trustees: 
         Structurally separate from the Foundation or the Friend of the Library;  
         Participants may be active on all boards if other people can not be found 
Concern: will the city reduce your budget if you raise significant funds? 
  
Why fundraise: 
         Lack of funds 
         Lack of services 
         Cover budget shortfalls 
         Purchase specific items such as furniture 
         Ongoing needs 
  
Creative Ideas: 
         Calendar 
         Dinner and dessert auction  
         Starbucks literacy program 
         Trivia night 
         Plaques on walls to recognize donations  
         Golf Tournement  
         Art Auction 
         Music Festival 
         Oysters, Authors, & Ale night 
         Adopt a book 
         Marathons/Runs  
         Naming Rights 
         Live Donors 
         Foundations 
         Friends 
         Donations 
         Gala Dinner 
 
The Bottom Line on Fundraising: 
         Fundraising Committee or Board Selection is critical  
o        The primary selection criteria for these folks is having a large network of business 
contacts and relationships; 
o        These folks must believe in the cause and have the fundraiser mentality; 
o        You cannot be afraid to ask for money; 
         Specific Cause or Need  
o        You must have a specific need or cause that can be related to by your constituents; 
o        Asking for money to augment the buget is not specific – it helps to be specific and to 
have a cause for example new furniture.  
         Fun Factor 
o        Will the project generate a fun atmosphere, while at the same time, enhance the 
team and promoting the library services? 
  
         Cost Benefit Analysis 
o        The project needs to make sense – is it doable within an alotted timeframe? 
o        Do you have the resources - manpower, money, and time? 
o        Effort for results – does it match your needs? 
o        Does it make more sense to form a foundation or to ask Friends for support; 
         Preparation Includes: 
Plan, Plan and More Planning:   
o        Identify Resources needed;  
o        Idenify Roles for team members – recorder, treasurer, chair, co-chair, etc. – can they 
work together as a team? 
o        Action Item Timeline; 
o        Regular meetings, reviews, updates; 
o        When should you incorporate (form a society)? 
o        Setup bank account;  
o        Advertising plan & resources; 
o        Event Program needed; 
o        Outside resources requirements, commitments, and agreements in place – locations, 
venues, etc;  
o        Do you need to add and replace members – part time help may be needed; 
o        Measure success throughtout the project; 
o        Recognize you`re dealing with volunteers, not employees;  
  
Make sure everyone has a purpose and is recognized for their contribution!!! 
 


Trustee Fundraising Dialogue

E-LIS

F18: Trustee Fundraising Dialogue   Role of Trustees:          Structurally separate from the Foundation or the Friend of the Library;           Participants may be active on all boards if other people can not be found Concern: will the city reduce your budget if you raise significant funds?   Why fundraise:          Lack of funds          Lack of services          Cover budget shortfalls          Purchase specific items such as furniture          Ongoing needs   Creative Ideas:          Calendar          Dinner and dessert auction           Starbucks literacy program          Trivia night          Plaques on walls to recognize donations           Golf Tournement           Art Auction          Music Festival          Oysters, Authors, & Ale night          Adopt a book          Marathons/Runs           Naming Rights          Live Donors          Foundations          Friends          Donations          Gala Dinner  The Bottom Line on Fundraising:          Fundraising Committee or Board Selection is critical  o        The primary selection criteria for these folks is having a large network of business contacts and relationships; o        These folks must believe in the cause and have the fundraiser mentality; o        You cannot be afraid to ask for money;          Specific Cause or Need  o        You must have a specific need or cause that can be related to by your constituents; o        Asking for money to augment the buget is not specific – it helps to be specific and to have a cause for example new furniture.           Fun Factor o        Will the project generate a fun atmosphere, while at the same time, enhance the team and promoting the library services?            Cost Benefit Analysis o        The project needs to make sense – is it doable within an alotted timeframe? o        Do you have the resources - manpower, money, and time? o        Effort for results – does it match your needs? o        Does it make more sense to form a foundation or to ask Friends for support;          Preparation Includes: Plan, Plan and More Planning:   o        Identify Resources needed;  o        Idenify Roles for team members – recorder, treasurer, chair, co-chair, etc. – can they work together as a team? o        Action Item Timeline; o        Regular meetings, reviews, updates; o        When should you incorporate (form a society)? o        Setup bank account;  o        Advertising plan & resources; o        Event Program needed; o        Outside resources requirements, commitments, and agreements in place – locations, venues, etc;  o        Do you need to add and replace members – part time help may be needed; o        Measure success throughtout the project; o        Recognize you`re dealing with volunteers, not employees;    Make sure everyone has a purpose and is recognized for their contribution!!!  

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Trustee Fundraising Dialogue

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