Fundraising Practices for Libraries in the U.S.

Marge MelunInformation Resource OfficerU.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 perspectiveInvestigate the community’s current fundraising climateEstablish a fundraising advisory committee Arrange for all money to go into a tax-deductible fundResearch foundations to determine which align with the project’s mission

Continued…

Research the giving patterns of local corporationsAsk individuals for donations and pledges, personally and via mailingsOrganize special events and generate press releasesCollaborate with other organizationsKeep in touch with donors

Contents of Proposal

Detailed description of the projectQualifications of the organization requesting fudingA timeline and budgetInformation on staffing & program evaluation Carefully editing of proposal for clarity and completeness

To to get financial or community support…

Understand the time commitmentKeep promisesMake customer service a top priorityHave staff and library board commit to the effortBe 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. – 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. 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.

 

Institute of Museum and Library Services – Federal agency to strengthen museums and libraries to benefit the public.

Funding – The Researching Librarian. Information on writing proposals and obtaining funding for library-related research projects.

Library 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. Amy Sherman Smith & Matthew D. Lehrer. ALA Editions, August 2000

Becoming 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. James Swan. Neal Schuman, 1990

Library Fundraising: Models for Success. Dwight F. Burlingame (Editor). ALA Editions, 1995