Beyond Book Sales: Rediscovering Successful LowEffort Fundraisers

Andrew Smith & Shelby Schellenger

Kansas Library Association Annual Conference April 11, 2012

Fundraising in the Library

Cuts in federal programs Reduction in funding for the state library budget Fill the gap

Misconceptions
Legality Development staff Time Resources

501(c)(3) Status
Associated Procedures and Costs: Organizing document By-laws State law compliance EIN User fee Application for status Recordkeeping Annual filing Disclosure Associated Benefits: Recognized tax-exempt status Accountability Clear governance Qualified contributions receive tax deductions

What Not To Do: Big Events

Legality Development staff Time

Resources

What Not To Do: Kits or Products

Time
Resources Limited return Destruction of goodwill

The Importance of Volunteers

Passionate about your organization Time and effort spent directly Often users of the library

Encouraging Volunteers
Develop relationships with patrons Promote volunteering Acknowledge volunteer accomplishments

Managing Volunteers
Volunteer training Volunteer chain-of-command Establish a consistent volunteer message and culture

Neighborhood Fundraising Model: About

Let volunteers fundraise without significant expense in library staff time or resources Let volunteers share their interests and enthusiasm Develop a small and stable income source

Neighborhood Fundraising Model: What It Is Regular small social events hosted by volunteers Up front expectation that a small donation ask will occur Volunteers hosting would set expectations of donation amount, collect funds, write receipts, and deliver funds to the organization

Neighborhood Fundraising Model: Participation to Advocacy

Volunteers hosting events are ambassadors of the library to the participants Word of mouth marketing Enjoyment or interest leads to continued participation Continued participation leads to active support of the library

Neighborhood Fundraising Model: Suggestions for Implementation

Other Low-Effort Fundraisers: Ongoing Book Sale

Fairly common Located where patrons already are Staff maintains May have tax implications

Other Low-Effort Fundraisers: Bookplates

Recognition Some resources used in design and implementation Directed purchase or unrestricted donation

Other Low-Effort Fundraisers: Seasonal Cookbooks

Print-on-demand changed cookbook fundraising Extensive editing time Financial issues similar to the book sale

Other Low-Effort Fundraisers: One-Person Bake Sale

Volunteer time and expense Check regulations related to food sales, permits, and insurance Deduction limitations

Rediscovering Successful Low-Effort Fundraisers

Successful low-effort fundraisers are personal in nature Successful low-effort fundraisers form habits

Questions? Comments?

Resources
The Volunteers Guide to Fundraising by Ilona Bray The Accidental Fundraiser by Julie Still Getting the Money by Kenneth Dowlin Fundraising for Dummies by John Mutz and Katherine Murray (2010) IRS Stay Exempt IRS Tax Information for Charitable Organizations ALA Library Funding Updates SLK Testimony to House Education Budget Committee Images from Office.Microsoft.com

Beyond Book Sales: Rediscovering Successful LowEffort Fundraisers

Andrew Smith & Shelby Schellenger
Kansas Library Association Annual Conference April 11, 2012