Library Development And Fundraising

Written by a librarian who has also been a professional fundraiser and by a library fundraiser who is also a public relations professional, this revised and updated book offers an original perspective on the neglected subject of raising money for libraries.

With more universities facing financial difficulty and academic libraries being asked to do more with less, fundraising has been transformed from a luxury to a necessity. Now, more than ever, academic libraries need to know how to effectively obtain and steward donors. Most fundraising books are written from perspectives that are not always relevant to the complex environment that academic libraries must navigate. Fundraising for Academic Libraries: A Practical Guide for Librarian is written just for academic libraries. The authors demystify fundraising to enable those to work in an academic library to feel confident in their ability to obtain contributions, sponsorships, and grants for their libraries. From major gifts to events to special collections, this book looks at academic library fundraising holistically. Not a one-size-fits-all approach, chapters explore multiple methods that an academic library can use to identify potential donors, ask for gifts, and retain existing contributors. This book also connects readers with extensive fundraising resources so they can readily apply the book’s tips and techniques to their own library environment. Whether they are interested in approaching a local business to provide a prize for a silent auction or asking for an established donor for an estate gift, novice academic library fundraisers will find step-by-step instructions that help them navigate a variety of situations. By providing readers with practical fundraising tools including flow charts, simple proposal and gift templates as well as sample donor correspondence, this book enables academic libraries to be able to start and advance their own development programs.

Successful Fundraising for the Academic Library: Philanthropy in Higher Education covers fundraising, a task that is often grouped into a combination role that may include, for example, the university museum or performance venue, thus diluting the opportunity for successful fundraising. Because the traditional model for higher education fundraising entails the cultivation of alumni from specific departments and colleges, the library is traditionally left out, often becoming a low-performing development area with smaller appropriations for fundraising positions. Most higher education development professionals consider the library fundraising position a stepping stone into another position with higher pay and more potential for professional advancement down the road rather than as a focus for their career. However, for universities that invest in development professionals who know how to leverage the mission of libraries to the larger alumni and friend community, the results include innovative and successful approaches to messaging that resonates with donors. This book provides information that applies to all fundraising professionals and academic leaders looking to strengthen their programs with philanthropic support, even those beyond university libraries. Makes the case for university libraries as a viable avenue for donor engagement that translates to all academic areas of higher education fundraising Highlights the importance of collaborative relationships and fundraising strategies with academic leaders, donors, and fundraising staff Outlines strategies that have resulted in fundraising success for academic and research libraries at universities of varying size and culture

Money for the Asking explores the basics of fundraising for music library professionals. Music libraries face many challenges today, including shrinking budgets. Fundraising is one way to increase a library’s resources, but few books address fundraising opportunities specifically for music libraries. In this concise volume Peter Munstedt provides practical advice for music librarians who want to initiate fundraising. Based on his depth of experience, the author explains the importance of promoting a library’s needs, which can be critical in establishing fundraising efforts. Working with individual donors is essential for any fundraising program. The book differentiates four essential steps that development professionals employ when working with donors, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. There is also an explanation of the various types of donations, such as gifts in kind, monetary gifts, endowments, and planned giving. Obtaining resources through grants is another significant aspect of fundraising. The book covers corporation, foundation, and government grants within the context of music libraries. Other methods of raising money are also described, including several kinds of fundraising events, such as benefit concerts, book sales, as well as other public and private events. While encouraging music libraries to pursue fundraising, the author also cautions about several subtle issues that consist of hidden costs, internal politics, and ethical concerns. This book reveals principles in the professional development world as seen through the eyes of a music librarian. The author explains real-life experiences in a music library setting, including case studies from his library. Also provided are examples of fundraising web pages from various other music libraries. The book reveals the positive effects and actual benefits that fundraising can bring to a music library. Money really is there for the asking.

Fundraising for Impact in Libraries, Archives and Museums provides practical advice that will help LAMs reassess how to leverage their organizational assets in ways that support communities and help to forge productive relationships with foundation, individual, corporate and government funders. Drawing on the insights gleaned from interviews with more than 100 international LAM practitioners, the book examines the common fundraising challenges that LAM institutions of all types and sizes face. During today's dynamic times, when many LAMs are seeking to remain relevant and viable, Matthew emphasizes how vital it is for them to demonstrate and communicate how they benefit their communities. The book presents five frameworks used in community development and philanthropy and illustrates how they can help an institution to assess and communicate its impact, focus its mission-related activities and effectively deploy proven fundraising strategies. Vignettes from the interviews are presented throughout, along with pointers, to illustrate actionable approaches that the reader can adapt as they seek contributed financial resources. The reader will explore various fundraising scenarios to help secure resources including appeals, special events, moves management, digital media, and corporate philanthropy. Fundraising for Impact in Libraries, Archives and Museums is essential reading for library, archive and museum practitioners and fundraisers working around the world.

Fundraising: How to Raise Money for Your Library Using Social Media introduces the phenomena that many members, supporters and fundraisers are not using social media to fundraise for their libraries, and may not be aware of its strengths and pitfalls. The book discusses why social media should be used to fundraise and how to successfully employ social media campaigns, also providing examples from library funding initiatives that libraries can follow. Since social media changes relatively quickly, library staff members, supporters and fundraisers need up-to-date information on how to craft messages for the platforms that they use. This book presents less on best practices for specific social media platform, focusing more on library social media fundraising strategies that have been found to be effective (for example, how libraries have successfully created fundraising campaigns with hashtags). Discusses why social media should be used to fundraise Outlines how to successfully employ social media to fundraise Presents examples from successful library funding campaigns via social media that other libraries can follow