Successful Fundraising For The Academic Library

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

The primary purpose of this book it to assist library directors and those who want to become fundraisers for libraries to learn more about fundraising and find answers to their questions. The 12 case studies presented in this book address issues of building a major gift program; developing library capital campaigns; competing for National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grants and Kresge Foundation Challenge Grants; building library endowments; finding support for technology and innovation and library renovation; raising funds for a new library; attracting donors through special collections programs; and raising money for international library associations. The book also provides information on the reasons why college and university presidents like to raise money for their libraries. Finally, the book provides an extensive annotated bibliography of the last decades of literature on library fundraising. (AEF).

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.

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

This book provides a friendly, lively discussion of the role of academic library fund-raising written by two experienced library fund-raisers. Short, stand-alone chapters with summary paragraphs Practical, personal success hints throughout Proven fundraising ideas

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.

Fundraising plays an inreasingly large role in the day-to-day life of the library and the librarian. Here, it receives a comprehensive treatment. Chapters deal with basics like the components of a strategic development plan, working with friends groups, annual giving strategies, possible donor constituencies, and communications and media relations. Other topics include actual campaign methodologies, grants opportunities, and the foundations connection. Development personnel and a resource list round out this guide.

The 115+ page study looks closely at the fundraising practices and results of a sample of North American colleges and universities, providing detailed data and analysis on funds raised through grants, annual fund drives, wills, bequests and legacy rights, sale of books and other intellectual property, through efforts of friend of the library groups, events and fundraisers, and online campaigns and endowments, among other vehicles. It helps its readers to answer questions such as: how are libraries raising money? What percentage of academic libraries have their own development staff? What has been the impact of online campaigns? How effective are “Friends of the Library” groups? What percentage of grant revenue comes from corporations? How many special fundraising events do academic libraries hold each year?