Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Presented by
Andrew Sanderbeck
Your Organization
The Friends of the Alameda Free Library was established in 1973 with a twofold
purpose:
1) to increase public awareness of the library as an essential part of the community's
educational and cultural facilities; and
2) to support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and
facilities. The Friends sponsor a variety of activities including book sales, children's
programs, and author nights.
The Alameda Free Library Foundation was founded in 1998 and is dedicated to
establishing strong, private, on-going financial support for the library so that the
library has sufficient funds for programs, materials, and equipment to meet the needs
of our community.
The Alameda Free Library Foundation has sponsored fundraising events, conducted
an annual fundraising solicitation by mail, and received a large bequest from an
estate. The Foundation has eleven board members, meets monthly, and has made
two significant gifts to the Main Library thus far. The Foundation has begun a major
fund drive named “Campaign for a Great Library”. The goal is $600,000 to be raised
in the year prior to the opening of the new Main Library, which is scheduled for
November 2, 2006.
New and Exciting Ways California
Libraries Currently Raise Funds
1. Their Websites
2. The Internet
3. Discard and Donations Programs
4. Community Affiliate Programs
Myth
Or
Fact
Why Are We Raising Funds?
• Core – for the basic ongoing
necessities like overhead,
management and administration.
• Project – for an improvement to
the library (computers, repairing
the roof etc…)
• Start-Up – initial money just to
kick-start an organization or
perhaps a long-term project
The Basics of Fundraising
Corporations or Individuals?
Who Gives More?
6. Insurance Policies
7. Partnerships
8. Volunteering their Time and Energy
Why Do People Support Libraries?
1. To Leave a Legacy
2. For a Specific Reason
3. To Be Recognized
4. To Make a Difference
5. Because They Were Asked
6. Because Giving Feels Good
7. To Pay Less Taxes
8. For Personal, Undisclosed
Reasons
Who Will Support the Library’s
Fundraising Activity
• Library Management
• Library Staff
• Library Board
• Library Friends Group
• Library Foundation
• Community Foundation
• Volunteers/Committee
What Can We Expect From Those That
Support The Fundraising Activity
Commitment
Buy-In
Emotional Support
Elbow Grease
Money/Donors
Guidance
Ideas
Conflict
Who You Want on Your
Fundraising Team
• An Attorney
• An Accountant
• Library Manager
• Library Board Member
• Friends Group Representative
• Influential People
• Famous People
• People Committed to Success of
the Activity
Five Things Board Members Can Do to
Raise Money for Your Library
1. Give money (Actually, all board members
should)
2. Host a fancy dinner at their home and
charge $$ for a gourmet meal for the
guests
3. Invest $10,000 for 12 months and give
the interest earned to the library
4. Invite friends to their birthday party and
ask that in lieu of gifts, money be given
to the library.
5. Rent their home or cottage for the
weekend and donate the proceeds to the
library.
How Much “Seed Money” And Time
Will You Need?
To Create a Foundation = Up to
$50,000/1 Year
To Incorporate Your Friends Group =
$1,000/ 1 Yr.
To Find Board/Team Members = 1 Year
To Market Your Fundraising Activity =
$100 & Up
To Recover From The Activity = 3-6
Months
What Makes Someone Want
to Be a Donor?
• Belief in what the library is doing
• See how their donation makes a
difference
• Desire to be involved (Sometimes
Anonymously)
• To have a say in what is going on
• They see a way to leave their
legacy
• Excited by the cause of the library
• They’ve been asked to donate
• Tax Benefits
What’s Your Status?
501(c)3 Status