NCompass Live

1. Tips and Tricks for Fundraising
During a Pandemic
Laura England-Biggs, Library Director &
Linda McClain, Library Board President
Keene Memorial Library, Fremont NE
NCompass Live
December 7, 2022

2. Keene Memorial Library
Expansion Project Background
• 1980’s – Local philanthropist Hazel Keene leaves funds to allow for
expansion, complete with sunset provision in 2021
• 2004 – Library Director Ann Stephens commissions first of three space
needs studies
• 2017 – Third space needs study goes to City Council; $2 million bond
campaign approved
• 2018 – Voters approve bond referendum by 67%

3. The fundraising journey begins!
• The 2018 Bond vote was seen as a mandate from the voters
• Community leaders were tapped to lead a fundraising committee
• Those leaders worked side-by-side with Director to set up donor cultivation
events hosted at the library as well as personal residences
• The Friends up separate Expansion Fund at Fremont Area Community
Foundation
• Hired a professional fundraiser to assist with the process

4. And then…
• Historic flooding in 2019
• Covid Pandemic in 2020
• Subsequent resignations of Capital Campaign chair, Library Director

5. 2.0
• April 28, 2021 fundraising dinner at Fremont Golf Club
• Sponsored by two members of the Steering Committee
• Invited over 60 individuals – attendance was about 40 due to lingering Covid concerns
• Netted donations from multiple attendees in excess of any costs

6. Making the Tough Calls
• Made the decision to discontinue relationship
with professional fundraiser in July 2021
• Took digital possession of the materials created
during their contract period
• Began the hard work on our own

7. Telling Our Story
• Social Media Posts for project highlights, updates
• Started an Expansion Project Blog
• Created a Fundraising Video
• Big Give Video
• Utilize local media contacts often

8. Show me the money!
• Library Director and Library Board President are
the fundraising/grant writing “committee”
• Together we’ve written over 20 grants –
15 of which have been successful
• But it hasn’t always been easy!

9. Getting Started
• Know your deadlines!
• Get prequalified if necessary (letter of intent)
• Know who can apply – public entity (library/city) versus 501(c)3
• Make the right ask as far as the number
• Is there a match required? – Leverage that match
• Secure local support first

10. Leveraging Local Supporters
• FACF first donor in for $100,000 which laid the groundwork for future asks

11. Leveraging Local Supporters
• Wholestone Farms - local business support for $500,000 (Computer Lab
Sponsor)

12. Leveraging Local Supporters
• Summer Reading Program challenge/sponsorship
• Local banks and charitable donations
• Service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Cosmopolitan)
• Commemorative brick campaign
• Utilize Social Media and tags

13. Getting Your Foot in the Door
• It’s important to make your application easy to read – and in your voice
• Use a standard font
• Use paragraph breaks to your advantage
• Write for 8th grade or lower
• Keep working relationships, building relationships
• Maintain contact, be persistent (not pushy)
• Send updates regularly

14. Staying on Their Radar
• Timing is important
• Urgency gets their attention
• Making connections with their interests (research your funders and their key
areas of impact)
• Websites
• News articles
• Foundation Resource Directory from NebraskaChildren.org

15. Making Connections
• Contrary to popular belief, longer messages work better
• Longer doesn’t mean flowery unnecessary ramblings
• “Libraries as an institutional hub and pillar of society”

16. Getting It Right
• Grammar and punctuation definitely count!
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!
• Make sure the numbers add up and are consistent
• Answer all the questions
• If you can’t, tell them why

17. Know the Funder’s Preferences
• Make it about the donor, not about you
• Give them a clear call to action and repeat it throughout your message
• Tell them what their donation can do
• Naming Opportunities – know who likes public recognition, who doesn’t
• Some you still need to acknowledge but not disclose amounts

18. Show Your Gratitude
• You can’t say thank you enough
• Letters upon receipt of donation
• Holiday cards
• In-person follow-up
• Recognition at events

19. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Invitation to April 28

20. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Case Study

21. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Case Study

22. Keep It Simple
• Original Letter of Intent New Donor Commitment Form

23. Professional Promotional Pieces
(whenever Possible)
• Groundbreaking

24. Useful Reading
• The Fundraiser’s Guide to Irresistible Communications: Real-World Field-
Tested Strategies for Raising More Money by Jeff Brooks (9781889102023)
($33.95 on Amazon)

25. Questions?
• Laura England-Biggs, laura.biggs@fremontne.gov,
402-727-2694 or 402-459-2073