Fundraising + Marketing = Library Sustainability

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Welcome! I am Pat Brigham,  Director of Development at Westchester Library System and I have created this site to share information and resources to help libraries build successful fundraising, awareness, and advocacy programs. Always feel free to call me at 914-231-3241 or email me at pbrigham@wlsmail.org.

You’ll find a variety of resources here, on grant writing,  fundraising, marketing and best practices  drawn from  over 20 years of experience in this field.  But most importantly it is a place where I encourage you to ask questions (anything related to marketing and fundraising – this a a no-judgement zone), and to share your own success with your colleagues.

 

Getting Ready for the Annual Appeal

You’ll find here the information shared at the Strengthening Library Support Through Your Annual Appeal Workshop held on August 15, 2018 – plus much more!  I am always looking at what my peers in fundraising are doing.  We like to share resources, what works and what doesn’t work  and why.  Because we all need a little help from our friends.

I’ll be adding  to this list whenever I find something that I think might be of interest and can support library fundraising efforts. Please do not hesitate to call if you would like some quick advice, or assistance in finding other resources.

And please share your success! I’ll be happy to post your success stories.

Happy Fundraising!

Pat

The powerpoint deck: The Annual Appeal Letter

Resources:

Fired Up Fundraising/Gail Perry – Internationally recognized fundraising consultant.  Excellent blog on writing  annual appeals – but check out her books. too.  She is amazing in person, but her books and her blog are great.  https://www.gailperry.com/resource-center/blog/

Mal Warwick – a standard bearer for the direct mail/ annual appeal piece.  Read his  books if you need inspiration. He has been doing this for years.  Some of it is very technical and might apply more to much larger organizations that can pump some dollars into their efforts, but it may be worth the read.  His books on writing the fundraising letter may be just what you need to get your creative juices going.

Available in the WLS Catalog:

Cover image for Fundraising on the Internet : the ePhilanthropyFoundation.org's guide to success online / Mal Warwick, Ted Hart, Nick Allen, editors ; preface by Paulette V. Maehara.        Cover image for How to write successful fundraising letters : sample letters, style tips, useful hints, real-world exaaamples / Mal Warwick.      Cover image for How to write successful fundraising letters / Mal Warwick.

  • Fundraising on the Internet : the ePhilanthropyFoundation.org’s guide to success online / Mal Warwick, Ted Hart, Nick Allen, editors ; preface by Paulette V. Maehara.
  • How to write successful fundraising letters : sample letters, style tips, useful hints, real-world examples / Mal Warwick.
  • How to write successful fundraising letters / Mal Warwick.

Online tools to inspire and inform:

This will help you get organized, especially good if you are working with a committee.  Creative_Brief_Template

And here is a great handbook created by Executive Printing that covers different kinds of mailings you can do: Jump Start Your Annual Appeal

Resources on Nonprofit Story Telling: 

This site is new to me, but from what I have seen so far, it has lots of good advice and ideas that can be helpful.  I downloaded her Writers Handbook for you here: The Story Telling Nonprofit Writers Handbook   www.thestorytellingnonprofit.com

An excellent white paper on the rational behind nonprofit storytelling and its benefits that just might convince you it is worth the work. State-of-Storytelling-in–the–Nonprofit-Sector

If you are going to get the story – here is what you need to do to get the maximum benefit:  storytelling-checklist

Excellent overview and tips to get the story, write the story and share the story: https://nonprofitstorytellingconference.com/donor-sequence/

For great tips on putting together a newsletter that reaps results:

Tom Ahern is an expert, easy to read and understand.  I have heard him speak at conferences and he is truly inspiring.  Reading his books is almost as good as seeing him in person. This is a quick read that will give you some good ideas, inspire you and you may even find a tip or two that will increase your ability to raise dollars for your library.  Read his books – it is worth the time. His website is full of information too.  http://www.aherncomm.com/donor-newsletter/

And his books are available in the WLS Catalog!

Cover image for Seeing through a donor's eyes : how to make a persuasive case for everything from your annual drive to your planned giving program to your capital campaign / by Tom Ahern.Cover image for How to write fundraising materials that raise more money : the art, the science, the secrets / Tom Ahern.

  • Seeing through a donor’s eyes : how to make a persuasive case for everything from your annual drive to your planned giving program to your capital campaign / by Tom Ahern.
  • How to write fundraising materials that raise more money : the art, the science, the secrets / Tom Ahern.

And of course you need a database:

Here are some helpful hints from our friends at ELEO.

8 Areas to Consider when Choosing Fundraising Software

10 Reasons to use Donor Management Software

 

Libraries Lead!

LIBRARIES LEAD 

Be Part of National Library Week!

We are continuing to seek compelling library stories that demonstrate the value and impact of libraries in our communities.  How is your library a leader in the community?  Are you looking for ways to demonstrate the tangible benefits of your library beyond the numbers?  Join us in the effort. Now more than ever, telling our story is critical.  We’ll share stories in Albany during Advocacy Day  (February 28, 2018) and at the Celebrating Westchester Libraries Breakfast on April 6, 2018 at Doral Arrowwood.

What is it?

  • System-wide and national marketing campaign to promote libraries
  • Opportunity to share compelling stories that support libraries as relevant and transformative community organizations in their community
  • Stories will be compiled in the Annual Celebrating Westchester Libraries Breakfast Program.

Why should I do it?

  • Significant county-wide exposure for your library
  • No cost to participate
  • Need help?  Call Pat Brigham, WLS Director of Development.  Call or email to arrange: pbrigham@wlsmail.org  or 231-3241.