Elements of a Fundraising Plan

At Thursday's session, DJ broke the room out into 4 groups and each group took a key component of constructing a fundraising plan.

Those 4 components are:

1. What are the critical messages you want to convey about your library? Why should people give to your library?

2. Produce a timeline for an annual fund for your library.

3. What do you need from your library to be an effective and active fundraiser for the library?

4. Who are logical prospects for your library?

I am pasting the flip chart answers for these 4 questions below.
Another important aspect of the process was the creation of policies and guidelines. Here is the link to the Association of Fundraising Professionals website: http://www.afpnet.org/

I have pulled library policy books to see if any of them address policies for fundraising. If I find anything I will pass it on. In the mean time:

1. Check out the website.
2. Plan to create a fundraising plan at your next board meeting (Break the board up into two groups and work on "chunks" based on the starting point you have from the flipcharts.)
3. Use the fundraising piece as a starting point for some further "long range" planning. It needn't be "long" or involved. What it needs to be is concise and PROACTIVE!

The news coming out about the preliminary budget talks at the state level is even worse than I could have imagined. Now is the time to take action locally!


Flipchart Data:

Fundraising Plan:

Small Groups:
1. What are the critical messages you want to convey about your library? Why should people give to your library?

How are we funded? 501©3
“Cradle to the grave”
Heritage of founders and dedication to future generations
More than books (a community hub)
Meets the needs with today’s technology
Reaches out to all economic levels (for everyone!)
Trained staff
Provider of life long learning
Green: one of the community’s most renewable resources
Library = Access to Information (Cornerstone of Democracy)
Tax Deductible-Educate donor, funding received vs. actual expenses

2. Timeline for annual budget:

December, year end analyzing current year.
Training for board members: letter writing, notes, and phone calls.
February (after Valentine’s Day) mailing of the first fund drive letter
Second letter: April (board and Friends)
August another letter.
Joint Letter (Board & Friends), end of year.

Two to four letters per year, two minimum are recommended.
Four is the goal—work up to it.

Select a leader of communication:
Divide a list of community leaders to be approached by members.
Coach the board to use the same goals and verbiage.
Communication and feedback to all members on a regular bases.
When asked by a contributor, “How much do you want?” Do not answer by saying whatever you can give but ask, “Could you give $100?"
There is a need to put a number on the table.
Acknowledgement of Donors over a certain amount, Donors Club.
Everyone under a certain amount, a Friend of the Library

Update webpage with the library’s needs. Collect email addresses, easiest and least expensive way to inform patrons or donors of the libraries needs or special events. Limit usage. Offer pay pal as an easy way to contribute. (Today’s technology)
Accept credit cards. Look at library webpages for ideas for online giving options.


3. What do you need from the library to be effective and active fundraiser for the library?

1. Clear Communication
2. Punctuality
3. Commitment
4. Chain-of-command
5. Script (vision and strategic plan)
6. Timeline (overall and of individual tasks)
7. Finite tasks
8. Budget? (does a board member get reimbursed for taking someone to lunch?)
9. Policies
10. Timely Reports (who gives and what do they give; library activities).

4. Who are logical prospects for your library?

Everyone:
Business leaders
ARRP
Empty nesters
Parents
Memorial book donors
Real estate agents
Unemployed
Foundations
Shared newsletters
Unions
Our Patrons
Donors to other organizations (Symphony…)
Clubs, Groups
Students
Patrons of our programs!


These four categories are the “base” of your plan.
Work on “chunks” of the plan!

And remember DJ's warning:

“The more you put off a plan, the more likely you are not going to do!"