Fundraising (L4L)
You will find related information at the following Links for Libraries: Library Endowments and Library Foundations.
General Background
The
Foundation Center
This is the premier site on the web for philanthropy. You may feel overwhelmed
when you first visit it, but browsing this site is definitely worthwhile. Be
sure to visit the Learning Lab.
Grants.gov
According to Library Journal, "A wonderful one-stop resource for those
looking to apply for competitive federal grants, this site brings together
over 900 programs from 26 grant-making agencies. It even allows users to receive
notification of future grant opportunities." It
includes an online tutorial for
teaching you how to use the site.
A
Wealth of Information on Foundations and the Grant-Seeking Process
An article from the May 2000 issue of Computers in Libraries that provides
exactly what it purports to: a wealth of information. The author is a reference
librarian at the highly-respected Foundation Center.
Grant-Writing
Tools for Non-Profit Organizations
A clear, nicely-presented guide full of practical information and tips. Well
worth looking at.
Twelve
Characteristics of a Good Proposal [pdf]
Written from the point of view of a foundation deciding which proposals it
should fund, these twelve general characteristics won't turn up in all proposals,
but more than half of them will appear in the better proposals. See also Using
Data to Support Grant Applications and Other Funding Possibilities [pdf] and The
Proposal Writing Process Workbook: Steps in Submitting a Complete Grant Proposal [pdf].
From the NonProfit Good Practice Guide (see
Trustees L4L).
Organizational
Development Tools: Fundraising
While written by and for organizations working for change in low income community
areas, these resources are applicable to libraries. Note the paper on writing
a winning proposal [pdf] and the board
vs staff roles in fundraising [pdf].
How
to Develop a Fundraising Plan [pdf]
"Not only is planning fully three-fourths of what makes for successful fundraising,
it is also true that one hour of planning can save three hours of work." What
follows this statement are five steps for developing a grassroots fundraising
plan. Part of a series of citizens' guides developed by the Western Organization
of Resource Councils, this short article is clear and to the point.
Charity
Village
This is self-described as "Canada's supersite for the nonprofit sector--3,000
pages of news, jobs, information and resources for executives, staffers, donors,
and volunteers." Start with the Welcome
Center for an overview, but be sure to visit Fundraising and Fundraising
Marketing in the Research Section of the Library. There's a lot to look
at here in every section.
Organizing
the Grant Writing Process
This site has links to articles on fundraising and proposal writing as well.
The overall site is designed for community projects, particularly in low income
areas, but has useful, clear information for anyone.
Specifically for Libraries
Funding & Grant
Sources for Libraries and Librarians
An excellent collection of links on fundraising and grant writing.
Library
Fundraising Training Kit
An overview from the Southern Ontario (Canada) Library Service of the fundraising
process, addressing such topics as How to Get Started, A Major Fundraising
Campaign, and Popular Fundraising Techniques. Requires Adobe Acrobat.
Grant
Writing and Fundraising Information Resources for Libraries
A helpful 'pathfinder' of online and print resources from the Western New York
Library Resources Council.
Friends
of Libraries U.S.A.
Several sections on this site are relevant to fundraising, certainly if your
Friends group is involved in fundraising projects, but even if you don't have
a Friends group. Don't overlook the fact sheet on Fundraising or
the fundraising ideas listed within Best Ideas for 1995-1999.
Library
Fundraising on the Web
How to use your home page in gathering friends and contributions for your library.
The article is based on experience in the academic context, but is useful for
public libraries as well. Check out the links at the end.
Library Fund Raising
This site, provided by ALA, links to an annotated bibliography of how-to grant writing and fundraising resources for libraries. There is also information on locating fund raising consultants and links to helpful websites.
Supporting public libraries in Outagamie and Waupaca counties