Investing in Libraries

Public libraries are incredibly adept at responding to the needs of the community through innovation. Yet public funding alone isn’t enough to support the ongoing transformation. Listen in on a conversation between two leaders in the public library field who recognize and understand the importance of private support.

Jonna Ward, CEO, The Seattle Public Library Foundation
Crosby Kemper, Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian, The Seattle Public Library comprar levitra genèric

Making Donors Love You More! Marketing Your Impact

Each year the foundation supports the library by funding several needs. How do we make sure our donors know what their gifts support? Hear about surveys to donors, annual reports, e-news, and grant reporting that make sure donors feel good about their contributions.

Brian Lawrence, Deputy Executive Director, The Seattle Public Library Foundation
Jennifer Jeffress, Executive Director, Madison Public Library Foundation

The Current State of Donor Retention and What Fundraisers Can Do About It

If you’re a nonprofit development professional, you’ve likely heard the term “donor retention.” It’s one of the hottest topics of discussion in the nonprofit sector. But what is donor retention? And why is it important? This session explores the root causes of low donor retention rates and the reasons donors stay loyal. You’ll come away with several ideas for improvement based on leading research in the field.

Steven Shattuck, Chief Engagement Officer, Bloomerang

Introducing Your Next BFF, the Mayor: Creating Awesome Partnerships with City Government

The San Jose Public Library Foundation went from an annual budget of $600,000 to $5,000,000 in two years as the Mayor, and his staff saw how the Library could make his education initiatives succeed, becoming a legacy beyond his term in office. Aligning the goals of the Library Foundation with those of the city government exponentially leveraged the Mayor’s connections and resources. Attendees will learn how to identify potential allies in City Hall, why extending an open hand is mutually beneficial, and critical considerations when collaborating with local government.

Establishing a Legacy Program at Your Library

$40 billion reasons you need a legacy program—the why, the how, and the proof.

Cindy Sharek, Director of Donor Relations, KCLS Foundation
David Baker, Principal, Giving Design

Survey Results: National Perceptions and Understandings of Philanthropic Support for Libraries

IPLFC planning committee has commissioned a national survey to provide baseline-learning on perceptions and understanding of philanthropic support for libraries. Nonprofit researcher Dirk Rinker, President, and CEO of marketing research firm Campbell Rinker, will share his findings along with trends from the nonprofit sector.

Dirk Rinker, President and CEO, Campbell Rinker

Power of Partnership: Engaging Library Partners to Reach Fundraising Goals

This presentation explores ways that Vancouver Public Library Foundation leveraged opportunities and worked through the challenges faced in a quest to engage prospective donors at every giving level. We’ll walk through examples of capital and community giving campaigns and share tips on building trust and familiarity with the Foundation among Library staff at every level of the organization.

Jenny Marsh, Executive Director, Vancouver Public Library
Tristan Klassen, Director of Development, Vancouver Public Library Foundation

Better Together: Field Notes on Merging Your Friends & Foundation

To merge or not to merge? That is the question. The Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation merged in January 2020, marking the success of a multi-year endeavor to become a single, stronger organization poised to raise funds effectively. Attendees will leave with valuable insight into the ways they can build trust between organizations, why working together is best for the library, and what the merging process looks like.

Kathleen Morgan, Director of Development and Community Partnerships, Lawrence Public Library
Angela Hyde, Friends, and Foundation Coordinator, Lawrence Public Library Friends
Logan Isaman, Fundraising & Advocacy Assistant, Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation (KS)

Not Just Filling Seats – A Key to Establishing Strong Board Leadership

In this presentation we explore practical strategies for identifying, recruiting, and securing new board members in order to provide continuity and strength in board leadership. Takeaways include; sample agenda and materials for new board member orientation and sample board responsibilities and expectations document.

Liz Reeves, Director, St. Louis Public Library Foundation
Shawn Bakker, President, Nashville Public Library Foundation

Raising $$$ Together: The FUNd Team Triangle© Method and Fundraising for the… Lazy?

Whether you’re heading up a large campaign or starting to dip your toes in the fundraising pool, you’ll learn something here! With clear and consistent communication as its foundation, Leanne will discuss the FUNd Team Triangle©, a balanced and fair division of duties amongst those who dedicate their time and talents to operating, governing, and supporting libraries. Inspired by a 2019 IPLFC session, Lisa will talk about how her library mobilized its annual Library Month Promotional Campaign in a way that had community members doing all the hard work.

Leanne Myggland-Carter, Acting Director, Spruce Grove Public Library
Lisa Patton, Library Manager, Brooks Public Library

Mapping your Capital Campaign During Crisis: Campaign Planning and Management Strategies Amid COVID-19

Before COVID-19, you had a brilliant roadmap to guide you to your fundraising destinations. This pandemic presented a major roadblock, but it’s time to get behind the wheel again! Learn from the capital campaign planning and management experts at CampaignCounsel.org how your library can move forward with its capital campaign. We will discuss how to assess your fundraising potential, plan for new challenges, and expand your definition of campaign success.

Kevin Wallace, President, CampaignCounsel.org
Carlyn Runnels, Systems and Information Director & Consultant, CampaignCounsel.org
Leslie Modrow, Foundation Director, Billings Public Library Foundation

Preparing for 2020 Digital Year-End Fundraising: Strategies and Tactics to Make it a Success

Want to fundraise digitally? Then Cassie and Christina from Carl Bloom Associates have the facts you need! Email strategy, the timing of communications, creative visuals, countdown clocks, how to talk to sustainers, what to try and not try–because we’ve tried it all. Let these ladies fill you in on all things digital fundraising.

Cassie Coccaro, Creative Director, Carl Bloom Associates, Inc.
Christina McPhillips, VP of Business Development, Carl Bloom Associates, Inc.

Data-driven Strategic Fundraising: Building the Car, Learning How to Drive, and Creating a Roadmap

A strategic plan does no good if you can’t implement it. We examine how to develop a values-based strategic plan and then walk through a case study of implementation – our Donor Data Project. We’ll see how a smart strategic plan can permeate the day to day work, and examine the tools and mechanisms needed to implement data-driven fundraising practices. With an abundance of (or lack of), the information in their database and numerous data append services in the marketplace, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Attendees will leave ready to become a data-driven organization that understands more about their donors, develops strategic communications, and implements effective fundraising practices.

Greg Giles, Senior Director Of Development, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
Laura Vitko, Individual Giving Manager, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Everyday Advocacy is Fundraising

Don’t wait for a crisis to start a conversation. Hear how local grassroots support from your library champions can lead to ongoing advocacy during troubled times. Learn how fundraising organizations can support their Library’s everyday advocacy efforts to increase donor gifts and budget support.

Charity Tyler, Executive Director, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation
Amber McNamara, Community Relations Manager, Cedar Rapids Public Library
John Chrastka, Executive Director, EveryLibrary Institute and EveryLibrary

2020 Library Giving Day Results & Library Support Network – Shared Impact and Our Future

The Library Support Network is alive and well. Results will be shared for Library Giving Day and learn how libraries across North American have leveraged this for increased fundraising. Hear a discussion about opportunities for the future of library philanthropy through our informal network. Conference co-founders will share closing conference remarks.