Fundraising Practices for Libraries in the U.S. Marge Melun Information Resource Officer U.S. Embassy, Rome

Sources of Library Funding Federal 1 % State 10 % Local 80 % Other (private) 9 %

Advocates for Fundraising Trustees Friends of Libraries Library Users—students, faculty, parents, seniors, business people Institutional and Community Leaders Librarians and library staff

How to acquire funds from private sources… State the need for funding from the community perspective Investigate the community’s current fundraising climate Establish a fundraising advisory committee Arrange for all money to go into a tax- deductible fund Research foundations to determine which align with the project’s mission

Continued… Research the giving patterns of local corporations Ask individuals for donations and pledges, personally and via mailings Organize special events and generate press releases Collaborate with other organizations Keep in touch with donors

Contents of Proposal Detailed description of the project Qualifications of the organization requesting fuding A timeline and budget Information on staffing & program evaluation Carefully editing of proposal for clarity and completeness

To to get financial or community support… Understand the time commitment Keep promises Make customer service a top priority Have staff and library board commit to the effort Be prepared for community members who oppose the effort or believe they have a better plan of approach

Website for Funding and Grant Sources Friends of Libraries, U.S.A.Friends of Libraries, U.S.A. – provides programs and publications to 2,000 member groups teaching citizens nationwide how to develop local Friends groups to raise funds, be advocates, and promote libraries. Grants for Nonprofits: Libraries.Grants for Nonprofits: Libraries. Part of the Proposalwriter web site, which includes a search engine for proposal writing, a FAQ, info on the grant writing process, grants by subject, and lots more. From Deborah Kluge, proposal development consultant. Proposalwriter

Institute of Museum and Library ServicesInstitute of Museum and Library Services – Federal agency to strengthen museums and libraries to benefit the public. FundingFunding – The Researching Librarian. Information on writing proposals and obtaining funding for library-related research projects. Library Fundraising On the WebLibrary Fundraising On the Web; A Practical Guide for Libraries from Northern Lights. More resources

Books on Fundraising Legacies for Libraries: A Practical Guide to Planned Giving. Legacies for Libraries: A Practical Guide to Planned Giving. Amy Sherman Smith & Matthew D. Lehrer. ALA Editions, August 2000 Becoming a Fundraiser: The Principles and Practice of Library DevelopmentBecoming a Fundraiser: The Principles and Practice of Library Development. by Victoria Steele, Stephen D. Elder. ALA Editions, 1992 Fundraising for the Small Public Library: A How-To-Do- It Manual for Librarians.Fundraising for the Small Public Library: A How-To-Do- It Manual for Librarians. James Swan. Neal Schuman, 1990 Library Fundraising: Models for SuccessLibrary Fundraising: Models for Success. Dwight F. Burlingame (Editor). ALA Editions, 1995